Collaborative Governance

Governance involves the processes of managing the delivery of public goods. As problems increase in complexity, governments need capabilities that lie beyond the scope of their agencies. Collaborative governance processes involve nongovernmental stakeholders in the work of government using deliberative processes designed to find consensus on complex public issues. This creates a more comprehensive approach to planning, policy, and implementation than government could achieve on its own. The chapter examines various forms of collaborative governance such as transnational policy regimes (like the Kyoto Protocol), certification schemes (such as the Soya Roundtable), public–private partnerships, co-management of natural resources and mandated collaboration. Numerous examples reveal barriers, tensions, structural features, leadership roles, and frameworks for evaluating the success of collaborative governance arrangements.