Maritime Common Good and Coastal Zone Management

Borna Debelić

doi:10.31217/p.32.1.19

Abstract

This paper aims to develop the concept and the definition of the maritime common good, its sub components and sub layers and to classify and analytically systematize it in the framework of modern theories addressing economic goods. Possible theoretical advancements and extensions in classification criteria are provided. International formal institutional framework is presented and elaborated. The accent is given to the development of theoretical concept and classification of economic goods as well as development of the Institutional Analysis and Development framework – IAD framework that is used to provide analytical understanding of the maritime good classification as well as allocation problems arising. This is performed in the light of ICZM protocol addressing coastal zones as of special concern particularly considering the intensive interrelations between humans and coastal zones. According to the developed classification criteria and analysis performed, the maritime good, as a complex good, can be classified dominantly as common good with limited renewability. The importance of further advancements of maritime common good governing mechanisms based on stakeholders’ inclusion into decision making process is emphasized in order to strengthen the potential of the mechanisms itself and the information background necessary for a successful management of the complex maritime common good.

Highlights

Scarcity is a fundamental economic problem that manifests itself in the way that there are seemingly unlimited human needs and desires in the world of limited resources
This paper aims to develop the concept and the definition of the maritime common good, its sub components and sub layers and to classify and analytically systematize it in the framework of modern theories addressing economic goods
Founded on the research framework and based on methodologically compatible modern economic theories, there is a need for the classification and analytical systematization of maritime common good that is presented in this paper, where IAD framework is utilised to provide the analytical understanding of the maritime good classification as well as the allocation problems arising

Summary

Introduction

Scarcity is a fundamental economic problem that manifests itself in the way that there are seemingly unlimited human needs and desires in the world of limited resources. There is no society that can simultaneously realize all the plans and politics, and certain compromises are always necessary in the sense of adding one good to another (other) good(s) Such an understanding of the problem of scarcity is well-perceived through the definition of economics provided by Robbins [26], originally published in 1932, which states that the economy is the science that studies human behaviour in terms of the relationship between goals and scarce resources that have an alternative purpose. Their proper economic classification in the light of modern economic theories, as well as structural analysis, are of significant importance for studying and developing appropriate governance models able to comprehensively address variety of institutional arrangements and local specificities on the field This is necessary to provide solid governance and institutional background that will enable achieving economic results while preserving sustainability of the resources, especially considering the well-known Hardin’s [11] problem of the “tragedy of the commons” and possible solutions offered by modern scientific researches [20]

International Formal Institutional Framework

Theoretical Background

Classification of Goods and Corresponding Criteria

Maritime Common Good

Findings

Conclusion