Discursive legitimation in environmental governance

The aim of this largely conceptual paper is to spell out the dynamics of discursive legitimation in environmental governance. It briefly discusses the concept of legitimacy and establishes the theoretical connection between legitimation processes and justificatory discourse. Three dimensions of discursive legitimation are outlined, pertaining to goals of governance, procedures of governance, and outcomes of governance, respectively. The paper also takes issue with the different categories of actors involved in discursive legitimation of governance. In particular, it explores the relationship between experts and lay people and the connection of communication processes within political institutions to the wider public sphere.