The rise and rise of environmental NGOs: unforseen risks to democratic environmental governance in Australia
Date
2004
Authors
Morrison, T. H.
Lane, Marcus B.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Conference paper
Citation
Statement of Responsibility
Tiffany H. Morrison and Marcus B. Lane
Conference Name
Australasian Political Studies Association Conference (2004 : Adelaide, South Australia)
APSA 2004
APSA 2004
Abstract
Current approaches to environmental policy and management in
Australia designate non-government organisations (NGOs) an increasingly
central role. This paper considers that the extent of NGO involvement, both
formal and informal, in environmental governance is now so widespread, the
magnitude of changes to democratic governance so far-reaching and the claims
made of NGO participation so bold, that a critical gaze on NGOs is overdue. To
foreground the analysis that follows, the paper interrogates the relationship
between NGOs and civil society, and explores the structural transformation of
western democracies which has provided the preconditions for the rise of NGOs
in environmental governance. The paper then considers the diverse ways in
which such NGOs are currently implicated in environmental governance in
Australia and identifies a series of risks associated with these approaches when
used uncritically. The paper concludes by calling for a more nuanced and
critical appraisal of the role of NGOs in environmental governance which takes
care to reserve political space for the articulation of diverse values and interests
in environmental policy and management.
School/Discipline
School of Social Sciences : Geographical and Environmental Studies