From open sewer to salmon run: lessons from the Rhine water quality regime

Abstract

The international regime for the River Rhine is widely considered to be unique. In this article, the author draws some lessons from the regime's development. These are related to two distinct strands in the literature. The first can be summarized under the heading of regime theory. It comprises studies dealing with the development of international regimes concerning water quality. These studies view the evolution of any such regime as determined by features of the issues in the light of relevant societal values and the role of transnational interest groups, scientific analysis and progress and the potential for interstate interaction. The second strand comprises aspects of negotiation theory. Its relevance suggests that there are options for trade-offs and that those options can have a positive impact. In addition, this literature helps to identify tactics that may be available to the negotiating parties. Most of these factors have had a positive impact. On the basis of an analysis of the historical development of the Rhine regime, this study elaborates upon three conditions that have had a positive impact on the development of the regime: the presence of an alert, creative and convincing party downstream; the existence of good international relations throughout the catchment area; and the presence of an international river commission, which could generate and disseminate information as well as facilitate negotiations among the riparian states.