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Addressing climate change democratically. Multi‐level governance, transnational networks and governmental structures
Author(s) -
Lidskog Rolf,
Elander Ingemar
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
sustainable development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.115
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1099-1719
pISSN - 0968-0802
DOI - 10.1002/sd.395
Subject(s) - blueprint , deliberation , democracy , corporate governance , climate change , political science , variety (cybernetics) , climate governance , multi level governance , order (exchange) , public administration , economic system , political economy , sociology , business , economics , law , politics , computer science , management , ecology , mechanical engineering , finance , artificial intelligence , biology , engineering
The purpose of the article is to discuss the democratic implications of climate change and whether or not it is possible to harmonize basic democratic values with the challenges raised by global warming. Highlighting three central democratic mechanisms it is argued that even if participation and deliberation are crucial for addressing the challenge of climate change this must be done within a system of democratic representation. To become both efficient and democratic, climate governance has to include different spheres and levels of authority. As there is no blueprint for a new institutional order of this kind we have to build upon and better utilize the patchwork of multi‐level governance at hand. The growing number of trans‐national networks, including a great variety of coalitions between actors from formal as well as informal institutions, has a great potential as an arena for deliberation of the challenge of climate change. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.