Collective Decisions Towards Sustainability: Insights From Local Collaboration in Canada and Lobbying in the EU

Abstract

Besides representative mechanisms, democratic decision-making entails the participation of individuals, communities, and organizations. However, in complex and modern societies, the implications of these multiple interactions are difficult to map and evaluate. Social network analysis allows us to scrutinize the decisionmaking process and its outcomes in terms of effectiveness, fairness, and legitimacy. We present two different cases dealing with decision-making in the context of sustainability. By looking at the patterns of interactions, we can identify the most relevant actors and explain why they are important, as well as describe the composition, structure, and evolution of a network to explain certain outcomes. The results offer empirical insights, which challenge common perceptions and provide practical solutions for decision-makers to maintain or improve good governance.