Network management in perspective

Abstract

This book revolves around a new approach to environmental issues, which we call network management. In the first chapter, Glasbergen explained the background and main characteristics of this form of control. In a nutshell, network management seeks to rectify the fragmented problem-solving capacity so often observed with regard to environmental issues. Generally, many public and private actors have an interest in resolving these problems, though none are able to handle them on their own. Yet these actors do not join forces, because they often represent divergent interests and usually entertain their own definition of the problem. Furthermore, it is unlikely that the parties will be organized in a strict hierarchy; they will probably be dependent on each other in some respects and independent in others.