Exploring the influence of agricultural actors on water quality policy: the role of discourse and framing

ABSTRACT

Policy processes traditionally dominated by government increasingly are open to participation by diverse non-governmental actors. This can result in more inclusive policy making, but undue influence that undermines democratic processes is also possible. We use insights from critical discourse analysis and framing theory to assess the discursive influence of non-state actors in the context of a government-led policy process to address eutrophication problems in the Lake Erie basin, shared by Canada and the United States. We analyze the actions of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation within the policy process to develop Domestic Action Plans to deal with nutrient runoffs. This research provides novel insights into how policy influence may occur in a process with multiplicity of stakeholders. In the context of efforts towards inclusive resource governance, this approach helps us reveal hurdles to the achievement of goals for sustainable resource use.

KEYWORDS:

• Discursive influence
• framing
• water quality policy
• environmental policy
• Lake Erie basin
• farmer organizations

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

Canada’s SSHRC Insight Grant [435-2014-0959].