Cleaning up the water law of British Columbia: A problemistic approach to rule change

Abstract

The article discusses institutional change caused partly by problems experienced by institutional rules. Three problem-related mechanisms are explored by the authors which include problem attraction, problem recognition, and problem engagement. How this research differs from previous studies on institutional rules is considered. The longitudinal data of water laws in British Columbia, Canada are used to test the authors' models. Why the authors chose to study water laws is explored. The history of the Water Act and the research's hypotheses, variables, and methods are outlined. It was found that institutions are run by internal mechanisms independent from external drivers.