This paper examines how deliberative democratic theory provides a normative foundation for designing inclusive and participatory governance models, with particular attention to water resource management. Deliberative democracy, as articulated by theorists like Jürgen Habermas (1996) and John Dryzek (2000), emphasizes public participation, reason-giving, and inclusivity as the core principles of legitimate governance. These principles not only ensure that decision-making is more equitable but also that it reflects the collective will of those affected by environmental policies, differently from other models that prioritize mere aggregation of preferences based on private interests.
The Italian Contratti di fiume (river contracts) are a practical embodiment of deliberative democracy. These contracts, designed to manage river basins through multi-stakeholder engagement, align with deliberative theory by fostering open dialogue and collaboration among local communities, governments, environmental organizations, and industries. Indeed, by encouraging inclusive participation and collective decision-making, river contracts promote sustainable water management that address issues like water pollution, flood risks, and biodiversity loss (Pistocchi & Iannetta, 2015), balancing environmental, social, and economic needs.
In this study, we aim at discussing how and to what extent different models of river contracts facilitate public participation, reason-giving and inclusivity in drafting and realizing water management policies. More specifically, case studies such as the Contratto di Fiume Lambro-Seveso-Olona in Lombardy and the Contratto di Fiume Mincio will be analyzed, to investigate how participatory forms of governance can lead to more equitable and sustainable water management outcomes.
Overall, this analysis will contribute to a deeper understanding of how deliberative democratic principles can be operationalized in environmental governance, offering valuable insights into their broader potential for managing shared natural resources.
