Concertation: Unpacking a Complex Term

In the complex tapestry of human interaction and decision-making, certain terms carry a weight of meaning that can be both enlightening and, at times, elusive. One such term, often encountered in discussions around public policy, governance, and collaborative projects, is 'concertation.' While it might initially sound like a straightforward process of getting together, its true depth, as explored by various thinkers, reveals a rich polysemy and a fascinating role in how we understand collective action. This article delves into the nuances of 'concertation,' examining why its precise definition remains a subject of debate and why its very ambiguity can be a powerful, indispensable tool in navigating the intricate pathways of shared problem-solving and strategic alignment.

Understanding the 'Concertation' Conundrum

The journey into understanding 'concertation' often begins with a call for precision. Hubert Touzard, a notable commentator on the subject, urges us to use words accurately and to avoid confusing situations where objectives and processes fundamentally differ. On both counts, it is difficult to disagree with his premise. Who would advocate for imprecise language or for blurring the lines between distinct practices? Yet, the reality of 'concertation' suggests a more intricate picture.

Sometimes, there is as much to gain as to lose by pre-qualifying the interactions of actors in decision-making processes too precisely. The author of the original discourse, reflecting on Touzard's observations, argues that the 'floating' nature of 'concertation' – its ability to encompass a spectrum of meanings – is not merely a linguistic oversight but a valuable resource. It allows the term to embrace a wide array of interactions, from intensely collaborative ventures to more superficial forms of consultation, without imposing an idealised, often unrealistic, vision of participatory processes.

Defining the Undefinable: A Dictionary's View

To grasp the multifaceted nature of 'concertation,' we can turn to its dictionary definitions. In French, 'Le Petit Robert' dictionary offers insightful starting points. At the entry for 'concerter' (the verb form), one finds definitions such as 'projeter de concert,' meaning 'to plan in agreement,' or 's'entendre pour agir de concert,' meaning 'to agree to act together.' These initial definitions indeed point towards an ideal of cooperative action and shared purpose.

However, further reading of the dictionary entry reveals a broader, more complex image. 'Le Petit Robert' provides an example of usage: 'Les faux témoins ont eu le temps de se concerter' (The false witnesses had time to coordinate/collude). Here, the synonyms offered include 'combiner' (to combine) and 'préméditer' (to premeditate). This example immediately distances 'concertation' from an idealised image of pure cooperation, suggesting instead a more strategic, perhaps even clandestine, alignment of actions. It compels us to place 'concertation' within a wider horizon of interpretation, recognising its potential for less benevolent applications.

Another example provided, specifically in the political vocabulary, is 'Concertation politique entre les grands' (Political concertation among major players). Is this truly about cooperative problem-solving, or merely about consultations aimed at avoiding greater mutual damage in a delicate situation? The term further deepens its polysemy when, under the entry for 'concertation' itself, 'Le Petit Robert' specifies that in public life, it has taken on a specialised meaning of 'politique de consultation des intéressés avant toute décision' (a policy of consulting interested parties before any decision). This definition equates 'concertation' with 'consultation,' and the accompanying example, 'concertation et participation,' seems to encompass the entire field of consultation, negotiation, and participation in planning and public policies. This inherent linguistic fluidity is not merely an occasional oversight by users; it is deeply embedded within the French language itself.

The Power of Ambiguity: Why 'Floating Terms' Matter

Given this inherent fluidity, the question arises: should we strive to remedy this 'floating' usage, or should we embrace it as a valuable resource? The latter option was notably adopted in 1999 when the title 'Concertation, Décision et Environnement' (Concertation, Decision, and Environment) was chosen for a research programme launched by the French Ministry of Environment. This programme aimed to promote the study of numerous mechanisms and practices through which actors in environmental planning and management are increasingly called upon to participate in decision-making.

To designate this heterogeneous set of practices, for which a rigid, a priori definition would have been counterproductive, a vague, inclusive term was essential. 'Concertation' proved to be perfectly suited for this role. Firstly, it spans the entire continuum of practices, from those considered most intensely cooperative and engaging to the least committing forms of consultation. Secondly, and crucially, it is profoundly ambiguous. This second point is vital if one believes – as the original author does – that it is useful not to project an idealised vision of participatory processes. By using 'concertation,' one ensures that the field of study includes the often-encountered modalities of ambiguous, hidden, or debatable rapprochements between actors.

The ability of 'concertation' to 'float' between 'consulting' and 'acting together,' or 'cooperating' and 'combining,' leaves room for a certain unease that constantly calls for re-framing and re-definition. This very characteristic encourages us to explore the entire spectrum of interactions. When a clear viewpoint is needed in a discussion, or when a specific type of practice needs to be qualified, or when a value judgment is to be made on an exchange between actors, there is always the option to turn to more precise terms such as 'negotiation,' 'deliberation,' 'consultation,' 'arbitration,' or 'public debate.'

In this context, 'concertation' serves as the floating term that allows these other terms to be precise. Why is such a floating term necessary? Primarily, because when one points to a practice or mechanism before studying and qualifying it – for example, by demonstrating that it is a negotiation – it must first be designated by a vague word that does not yet qualify it. An example of this usage would be: 'What is the real proportion of agreement-seeking in this concertation mechanism?'

Secondly, when synthesising observations and cases that combine several different types of mechanisms or practices, a generic, inclusive word is needed. For instance: 'To evaluate the very diverse concertation mechanisms, it is necessary to analyse in detail to what extent they can modify the content of the decisions they lead to.' This assertion applies equally to negotiations, consultations, public debates, and so forth.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, it is beneficial to have a floating term to avoid rigidly defining the field as a whole a priori. While research on 'concertation, decision, and environment' focuses on specific mechanisms and practices, it also seeks to grasp an entire field of action that includes a multitude of these devices and practices, whose scope and texture are constantly being redefined. Therefore, it is neither possible nor desirable to fix a 'precise' word to define the field as a whole, as this would unduly restrict its perimeter. The solution lies in designating the entire field metonymically by a notion (or notions) that could qualify some of its parts but is (or are) used in a floating manner. This is how the title 'Concertation, Décision et Environnement' effectively functions.

Navigating the Tensions: Metonymic Charges and Pressures

Such an approach, relying on a floating term, is not without its tensions. Firstly, the choice of one term over another to designate the entire field is never neutral; one does not engage in discussion and research in quite the same directions if one speaks of 'concertation, decision, and environment' as opposed to 'public debate, decision, and environment.' Each term carries a certain 'metonymic charge,' influencing the discourse and framing of the subject.

Secondly, if a particular school of thought, or the promoters of a specific type of practice, manage to establish their foundational concept as both a precise practice and a notion that covers the entire field, they would gain a decisive advantage over others. The debates within a research field like 'concertation, decision, and environment' regularly demonstrate a certain 'metonymic pressure' to push one or another essential notion – be it deliberation, negotiation, or communication – to the centre of the field. To avoid any misunderstanding, it must be stressed that no notions usable in this context are without metonymic charge, and no significant debate in this domain occurs without metonymic pressures.

Crucially, the field must be subject to a regulation that ensures these 'metonymic manoeuvres' by protagonists contribute to expanding and structuring it fruitfully, rather than allowing the debate to become rigid. The notion of 'concertation,' precisely because its polysemy and ambiguity always offer the possibility of not fixing a given conception, is invaluable in this regard. It keeps the discussion open and dynamic, preventing premature closure around a single, dominant interpretation.

'Concertation' in Practice: A Realm of Entangled Actions

Ultimately, 'concertation' can be understood as the domain of action (whether in management, politics, decision-making, etc.) that is partially negotiated, partially debated, and partially deliberated. In the systems of action examined by researchers or practised by professionals, negotiations, confrontations, avoidances, and cooperations are intertwined and interlocked in complex ways. One can only fix a definitive term – for example, by analysing the action system as a grand negotiation or as a cooperative formation of action – by paying a price. By fixing a final term, a given analysis implicitly acknowledges that it constitutes a specific construction, one perspective among many possible (and indeed, necessary) others on the situation being studied. It institutes a framework that provides both its unique strength and its inherent limitations.

For instance, the work of Jean-Eudes Beuret and his collaborators is based on a conception of 'concertation' close to that proposed by Hubert Touzard, focused on cooperation for the construction and treatment of a problem. On this basis, they study what they term 'concertation itineraries,' meaning they isolate, within the tangle of interactions, the successive sequences of development of cooperative action. The strength of such analyses lies in highlighting the potential for cooperative problem-solving even in difficult contexts, thereby supporting the launch or development of initiatives for cooperative problem treatment.

Among their limitations, however, is the tendency to retain only what appears cooperative in a given course of action. By leaving 'outside the frame' other aspects of the strategies of the involved actors, and by essentially retaining only the cooperative elements of 'concertation,' they tend to erase the ambiguity of both the strategies and the situations themselves. Paradoxically, it is precisely this ability of 'concertation' to effect such an erasure – to present profoundly ambiguous practices as frankly cooperative – that gives the notion its great capacity to 'float.' To wish to see only cooperation in 'concertation' is to refrain from contemplating its ambiguity, and it is precisely this restraint that allows its ambiguity to be fully exploited. For this reason, many prefer to use the term 'concertation' in the (partially) floating sense discussed here, reserving 'cooperation' for the specific act of cooperation in defining and addressing problems, as it articulates well with notions of negotiation and conflict, and functions effectively on an international plane.

Frequently Asked Questions About 'Concertation'

• What is the core meaning of 'Concertation'?
  At its core, 'concertation' refers to the act of planning or acting together, in agreement. However, as discussed, its meaning is highly polysemous, ranging from ideal cooperative problem-solving to strategic consultations and even a form of collusion. It's often used as an umbrella term for various forms of collective interaction leading to decisions.
• How does 'Concertation' differ from simple 'Consultation'?
  While 'concertation' can encompass consultation, it is generally broader and can imply a deeper level of engagement. Consultation often involves seeking opinions or information from interested parties before a decision is made, without necessarily implying a shared, cooperative problem-solving effort. 'Concertation,' especially in its more precise definitions, suggests a process where parties actively work together to resolve a problem or agree on a course of action.
• Why is 'Concertation' considered a 'floating term'?
  'Concertation' is deemed a 'floating term' because its definition is not rigidly fixed. It can shift and adapt depending on the context, allowing it to cover a wide spectrum of practices from intense collaboration to minimal consultation. This ambiguity is seen as a valuable asset, enabling it to designate complex situations before they are precisely qualified and to serve as an inclusive generic term for diverse phenomena.
• Can 'Concertation' be used for negative purposes?
  Yes, the dictionary examples illustrate this. The phrase 'Les faux témoins ont eu le temps de se concerter' (The false witnesses had time to coordinate/collude) shows that 'concertation' can imply a strategic, even premeditated, alignment of actions that might not be for a benevolent purpose. Its ambiguity allows it to describe both virtuous cooperation and more questionable forms of coordinated action.
• Is 'Concertation' always about achieving agreement?
  Not necessarily. While one aspect of 'concertation' relates to 'acting in agreement,' its broader usage includes situations where the goal might be to avoid greater damage, gather information, or simply align perspectives without necessarily reaching a full consensus or formal agreement. It describes a domain of action that is partially negotiated, debated, and deliberated, acknowledging that full agreement is not always the sole or primary outcome.

Comparative Table: Distinguishing 'Concertation' from Related Concepts

Conclusion

In conclusion, the terms 'concertation,' 'consultation,' and 'negotiation' do not merely represent synonyms but rather refer to distinct frameworks of interaction and analysis. These frameworks are often intertwined, with various modalities of action – or analytical viewpoints – nesting within one another in complex, entangled ways. For instance, a multilateral international negotiation might encounter a difficulty, leading to a suspension of proceedings to organise consultations. These consultations could involve gathering information on various positions and forming coalitions to unblock the problem. This latter stage, if framed as a close-up analysis of a 'moment' of cooperation, perfectly aligns with a precise sense of 'concertation' as cooperative problem-solving.

Ultimately, the discussion around 'concertation' is one of framing. Its rich polysemy and inherent ambiguity invite continuous exploration and re-evaluation. Far from being a linguistic flaw, the 'floating' nature of 'concertation' serves as a powerful resource, enabling us to navigate the intricate, often messy, realities of collective action without imposing overly rigid or idealised interpretations. It encourages us to tirelessly explore, cultivate, and delve deeper into the vast and evolving field of how we come together to make decisions and shape our shared world.

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