Institutional Design of Fisheries Co-management: The Problem of Democracy and Representation

Abstract

"This paper addresses the problem of representation and democracy in fisheries co-management. The questions of representation and democracy are not properly dealt with in most inquiries, even if it is a core feature of co-management. Most advocates of co-management appear to have instrumental or functional conceptions of democracy. Here we attempt to discuss some of the problems this approach raises from the point of view of two established models of democracy. Two broad categories of co-management arrangements are identified: One that applies to small, localized 'communitarian' communities, and one that applies to the national or meso level that bears close resemblance with traditional corporatist arrangements. We conclude that there are several contradictions and dilemmas within the co-management tradition regarding democracy and representation that deserve more attention."