Collective Governance, Civil Society and the Futures of Sustainability

Session Submission Type: Roundtable Discussion

Abstract

This roundtable aims to examine the role of civil society in the broad context of global climate change, sustainable development, and green energy transition. The particular analytical entry point we have adopted is the framework of collective governance, which has its theoretical roots in Ostrom’s long-term studies of institutions, polycentric governance, common pool resources, and public goods (Ostrom 1990 and 2010). The concept has also been modified and debated (O'Mahony & Karp, 2022; Rich & Moberg, 2017). Participants of the roundtable will engage with this framework from different subfields, geographic and political-cultural perspectives, and research backgrounds. For example, how does civil society contribute to inclusive governance and collaborations (especially water, disaster risk reduction, and natural resources) in India? (van Wessel et al. 2019) Similarly, in Taiwan, what is the critical contribution by civil society in the broad shift in governance over waste? (Chien and Rado 2023) Why is it relevant and critical to revitalize rural communities in post-industrial mega cities (such as Hong Kong)? And, what is the role played by civil society organizations in sustaining and reviving these communities? (Lam et al. 2021) In the aftermath of the most devastating industrial and environmental accident in contemporary Lebanon, what has been achieved by civil society in terms of policy and governance reforms? (Haddad and Sakr 2023).
In Europe, where most of the longstanding democracies are located, how has civil society been managing to continue to push for bottom-up participation in governance in the context of the rise of right-wing politics? (Pape et al. 2020) Moreover, what have been the most important challenges and opportunities as well for civil society to survive and influence environmental governance under authoritarian rule? (Wu et al. 2023)
Coming from different perspectives, we intend to explore the possibility of generalizable concepts and theories to understand the vital role of civil society in shaping governing systems at different levels, in different social-political contexts for the goal of climate resilience, environmental protection, and sustainable development. The difference in the level and mechanism of civil society involvement in collective governance will contribute to and affect the formation of various trajectories of sustainability in the future.
Another purpose of this roundtable is to formally launch a new Affinity Group of ISTR – Collective Governance and Sustainability. The Affinity group aims to connect colleagues from different subfields/disciplines to expand the knowledge of collective governance in resolving complex environmental and climate-related issues, the role of civil society and the third-sector in the collective response to sustainable development, mechanisms of just transition to green energy, and global governance over sustainability and climate change. Also, the Group facilitates connection between researchers with practitioners, who are both interested in practicing action research and innovating research methods in relevant fields.

References

Chien, H., & Rado, I. (2023). University Departments as Change Agents in the Organic Waste Management Sector: Lessons from Action Research Initiatives in Thailand and Taiwan. Bandung, 10(2), 185-205.
Haddad, T., & Sakr, T. (2023). Interorganizational relation in disaster response in developing context: Assessing response to Beirut explosion. Public Organization Review, 23(3), 1167-1193.
Lam, W., Williams, J., Chu, V., and Law, W. (2021). Revitalizing Rural Communities. Singapore: Springer Nature.
O'Mahony, S., & Karp, R. (2022). From proprietary to collective governance: How do platform participation strategies evolve?. Strategic Management Journal, 43(3), 530-562.
Ostrom, E. (1990). Governing the commons: The evolution of institutions for collective action. Cambridge University Press.
Ostrom, E. (2010). Beyond markets and states: polycentric governance of complex economic systems. American Economic Review, 100(3), 641-672.
Pape, U., Brandsen, T., Pahl, J. B., Pieliński, B., Baturina, D., Brookes, N., Rafael, A., Jeremy Kendall, Jelena Matančević, Francesca Petrella, Christina Rentzsch, Nadine Richez-Battesti, Teresa Savall-Morera, Ruth Simsa & Zimmer, A. (2020). Changing policy environments in Europe and the resilience of the third sector. VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 31, 238-249.
Rich, E., & Moberg, J. (2017). Beyond Governments: Making Collective Governance Work-Lessons from the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. Routledge.
Van Wessel, M. G. J., Katyaini, S., Mishra, Y., Naz, F. et al. (2019). Civil society dynamics: Shaping roles, navigating contexts. Wageningen University & Research.
Wu, F., Martus, E., & Sonnenfeld, D. (2023, June). Environmental Politics Under Authoritarian Rule: Policy, Power, and Advocacy. In XX ISA World Congress of Sociology (June 25-July 1, 2023). ISA.
Wyborn, C. (2015). Co-productive governance: a relational framework for adaptive governance. Global Environmental Change, 30, 56-67.

Sub Unit

• The Third Sector, sustainable development, climate change, and climate justice

Discussant

• Wai-Fung LAM, Centre for Civil Society and Governance, the University of Hong Kong

Moderator

• Fengshi Wu, University of New South Wales

Presenters

• Herlin Chien, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology

• Farhat Naz, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur

• Winnie W Y Law, Centre for Civil Society and Governance, the University of Hong Kong

• Ruth Simsa, Vienna University of Economics and Business

• Tania Haddad, American University of Beirut