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The Pragmatic Collective Interest as the Product of Civic Deliberation: The Case of Pesticide Management in Belgium

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  • François Mélard

    (Department of Environmental Sciences & Management, University of Liège, 6700–Arlon, Belgium)

  • Marc Mormont

    (Department of Environmental Sciences & Management, University of Liège, 6700–Arlon, Belgium)

Abstract

Through the issue of pesticide management in Belgium, this article offers an empirical and conceptual grasp on what Ulrich Beck called the second-order reflexive modernity; that which is exercised among citizens when they are confronted with threatening and uncertain situations. To achieve this, we use two case studies of two public policy instruments, which we offer to the public for discussion: food product labelling, and the modelling of toxic effects linked to pesticide use. To this end, we organised two focus groups designed to encourage discussion, composed of citizens/practitioners. The results obtained plead in favour of a collective deconstruction-reconstruction of these tools and can lead to what we propose calling a “pragmatic collective interest.” This “pragmatic collective interest” can take the form of a new set-up or new associations that enable the coexistence of conflicting propositions and points of view, and a suspension of efforts to hierarchize causes and required solutions.

Suggested Citation

  • François Mélard & Marc Mormont, 2013. "The Pragmatic Collective Interest as the Product of Civic Deliberation: The Case of Pesticide Management in Belgium," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 5(5), pages 1-19, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:5:y:2013:i:5:p:2233-2251:d:25776
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vanloqueren, Gaëtan & Baret, Philippe V., 2009. "How agricultural research systems shape a technological regime that develops genetic engineering but locks out agroecological innovations," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(6), pages 971-983, July.
    2. Kuchler, Fred & Ralston, Katherine & Unnevehr, Laurian J., 1997. "Reducing pesticide risks to US food consumers: can agricultural research help?," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 22(2), pages 119-132, April.
    3. Wilson, Clevo & Tisdell, Clem, 2001. "Why farmers continue to use pesticides despite environmental, health and sustainability costs," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 39(3), pages 449-462, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Katerina Zdravkova, 2023. "Personalized Education for Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-13, April.
    2. Potira Preiss & Flávia Charão-Marques & Johannes S. C. Wiskerke, 2017. "Fostering Sustainable Urban-Rural Linkages through Local Food Supply: A Transnational Analysis of Collaborative Food Alliances," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-30, July.

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