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From Bypass to Bathtub: Backfiring Policy Labels in Dutch Water Governance

Author

Listed:
  • Arwin van Buuren

    (Public Administration, Erasmus University Rotterdam, PO Box 1738, Room M8-31, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Jeroen Warner

    (Risk and Distaster Studies, Wageningen University and Research Centre, PO Box 9101, 6700 HB Wageningen, The Netherlands)

Abstract

The discursive framing of projects is an oft-used strategy to claim legitimacy and create support for proposed measures. By giving a project an appealing ‘label’, politicians and policy makers try to prevent criticism. However, policy labels are thrown out like ‘boomerangs' with a view to gaining leverage, resources, and legitimacy. The thrower, however, cannot control how the boomerang comes back. This paper sheds light on the consequences of these ‘backfiring labels' with the help of two illustrative case studies: a ‘calamity polder’ for controlled flood storage (Ooijpolder) and a ‘bypass' for the river IJssel near Kampen, respectively. Interestingly, the wider frames from which these labels originate differ and give rise to different dynamics, but with the same outcome: the label reaped the opposite effect. We analyze the way in which this process of strategic ‘labelling’ takes place, its discursive power, its impact on the governance process in question, and how policy makers react upon backfiring consequences.

Suggested Citation

  • Arwin van Buuren & Jeroen Warner, 2014. "From Bypass to Bathtub: Backfiring Policy Labels in Dutch Water Governance," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 32(6), pages 1000-1016, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envirc:v:32:y:2014:i:6:p:1000-1016
    DOI: 10.1068/c12212
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Arwin van Buuren & Jurian Edelenbos, 2004. "Why is joint knowledge production such a problem?," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 31(4), pages 289-299, August.
    2. Dik Roth & Jeroen Warner, 2007. "Flood Risk, Uncertainty And Changing River Protection Policy In The Netherlands: The Case Of ‘Calamity Polders’," Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG, vol. 98(4), pages 519-525, September.
    3. Jane E. Dutton & Susan J. Ashford & Regina M. O’ Neill & Erika Hayes & Elizabeth E. Wierba, 1997. "Reading the wind: how middle managers assess the context for selling issues to top managers," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 18(5), pages 407-423, May.
    4. Saskia Hommes & Joanne Vinke-de Kruijf & Henriëtte Otter & Geiske Bouma, 2009. "Knowledge and Perceptions in Participatory Policy Processes: Lessons from the Delta-Region in the Netherlands," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 23(8), pages 1641-1663, June.
    5. David, Paul A., 2001. "Tragedy of the Public Knowledge 'Commons'? Global Science, Intellectual Property and the Digital Technology Boomerang," Research Memorandum 003, Maastricht University, Maastricht Economic Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
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    Cited by:

    1. Sanne Grotenbreg & Arwin Van Buuren, 2017. "Facilitation as a Governance Strategy: Unravelling Governments’ Facilitation Frames," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-18, January.

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