The emergence and unfolding of the democratic co-production of common goods

This chapter examines the co-production of common goods, focussing on its processual and democratic dimensions. It conceptualizes democratic co-production as governance mode involving a reconfiguration of power distribution between actors from multiple organizations, potentially resulting in a polycentric arrangement. Through an iterative dialogue between theory and documented case studies—the Great Bear Rainforest (Canada) and water governance in Terrassa (Catalonia, Spain)—the chapter develops a conceptual framework tracing trajectories toward polycentric governance. It highlights the roles of collective action, conflict, negotiation, and rule-setting in enabling collaborative arrangements. The analysis identifies key institutional features—accessibility, accountability, and professional facilitation—as critical for realising the democratic potential of co-production. While co-production is frequently promoted for its effectiveness and adaptability, and its democratic potential often taken for granted, we argue that this potential depends on how co-production processes unfold and the extent to which they become embedded within broader institutional and social contexts.