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Why Environmental Policy Nightmares Recur
Author(s) -
Yaffee Steven L.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
conservation biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.2
H-Index - 222
eISSN - 1523-1739
pISSN - 0888-8892
DOI - 10.1046/j.1523-1739.1997.95204.x
Subject(s) - rationality , politics , fragmentation (computing) , public policy , business , political science , computer science , law , operating system
Many natural resource and environmental policy issues evidence recurring choices, made with considerable effort, whose temporary solutions never seem to deal with the underlying problems. Drawing on examples from endangered species policy, I describe five behavioral tendencies of humans and human institutions that result in recurrent environmental policy problems, including poor long‐term direction, delays, impasses, and piecemeal solutions to crosscutting problems. These tendencies are short‐term rationality outcompeting long‐term rationality, competitive behavior driving out cooperative behavior, fragmentation of interests and values, fragmentation of responsibilities and authorities, and fragmentation of information and knowledge. By understanding these tendencies, it is possible to frame policy solutions to them. This paper identifies a set of necessary responses including finding ways to bind current decisionmakers to the future, promoting creativity and risk‐taking on the part of public resource management organizations, utilizing alternative dispute resolution mechanisms that foster cooperation, building political concurrence, utilizing coordinating mechanisms, instituting clear performance measures, and implementing ways to promote information flows between organizations.