Public participation in environmental policy : considering scientific, counter-scientific and non-scientific contributions
This paper examines public participation in environmental policy, a process deemed necessary for policy success. The author argues that the scientific construction of environmental issues often means that participation in policy-making is difficult when the public is not considered scientifically 'expert'. Even if the notion of 'expertise' is broadened, this does not ensure truly 'public' - i.e. lay - involvement, because lay ideas are still not included and are discounted as 'non-scientific'.