9
M. Bavinck et al. (eds.), Governability of Fisheries and Aquaculture:
Theory and Applications, MARE Publication Series 7, DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-6107-0_2,
© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013
Abstract This chapter presents the conceptual foundations of governability and
interactive governance upon which it is based. Interactive governance is a theoretical
perspective that emphasizes the governing roles of state, market and civil society.
Interactions between these realms are argued to be an important factor in the success
or failure of whatever governance takes place. Governability refers to the quality of
governance in a societal fi eld, such as fi sheries. Diversity, complexity, dynamics and
scale are argued to be major variables in fl uencing the governability of societal
systems and their three components: a system-to-be-governed, a governing system
and a system of governing interactions mediating between the two.
Keywords Complexity • Diversity • Dynamics • Governability • Governance •
Interaction • System
Introduction
This chapter introduces two concepts. The fi rst, ‘interactive governance’, emphasizes solving societal problems and creating opportunities through interaction
between civil, public and private persons and organizations. Testing its feasibility
has begun with work on capture fi sheries and aquaculture. The second concept,
J. Kooiman
Centre for Maritime Research , University of Amsterdam ,
Amsterdam , The Netherlands
e-mail: jkooiman@xs4all.nl
M. Bavinck (*)
Department of Human Geography, Planning and International
Development Studies , University of Amsterdam , Amsterdam , The Netherlands
e-mail: j.m.bavinck@uva.nl
Chapter 2
Theorizing Governability – The Interactive
Governance Perspective
Jan Kooiman and Maarten Bavinck
M. Bavinck et al. (eds.), Governability of Fisheries and Aquaculture:
Theory and Applications, MARE Publication Series 7, DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-6107-0_2,
© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013
Abstract This chapter presents the conceptual foundations of governability and
interactive governance upon which it is based. Interactive governance is a theoretical
perspective that emphasizes the governing roles of state, market and civil society.
Interactions between these realms are argued to be an important factor in the success
or failure of whatever governance takes place. Governability refers to the quality of
governance in a societal fi eld, such as fi sheries. Diversity, complexity, dynamics and
scale are argued to be major variables in fl uencing the governability of societal
systems and their three components: a system-to-be-governed, a governing system
and a system of governing interactions mediating between the two.
Keywords Complexity • Diversity • Dynamics • Governability • Governance •
Interaction • System
Introduction
This chapter introduces two concepts. The fi rst, ‘interactive governance’, emphasizes solving societal problems and creating opportunities through interaction
between civil, public and private persons and organizations. Testing its feasibility
has begun with work on capture fi sheries and aquaculture. The second concept,
J. Kooiman
Centre for Maritime Research , University of Amsterdam ,
Amsterdam , The Netherlands
e-mail: jkooiman@xs4all.nl
M. Bavinck (*)
Department of Human Geography, Planning and International
Development Studies , University of Amsterdam , Amsterdam , The Netherlands
e-mail: j.m.bavinck@uva.nl
Chapter 2
Theorizing Governability – The Interactive
Governance Perspective
Jan Kooiman and Maarten Bavinck