Understanding Beliefs and Values to…Move from Debate to Dialogue

Dr. Lyn KathleneDr. Robert Ward

Colorado Institute of Public PolicyColorado State University

MaryLou SmithAqua Engineering, Inc.

Colorado Water WorkshopJuly 28, 2006

Water in the Rocky Mountain West, 2025

Colorado Institute of Public Policy

Beliefs and Values as a Means for Cooperation

Colorado Institute of Public Policy

Conflict or Cooperation?

How do we address: scarcity increasing demand new uses declining quality

Understanding Beliefs and Values

Instead of fighting for favorite solutions (positions)

Step back to understand the beliefs and values (interests) those positions are based on

The Water Survey

Q-Methodology—assign different weights to beliefs and values statements

Used in contentious policy arenas

Important to have the full range of stakeholders participate, but numbers not so important

Q-Sort Statement Array

-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4

Affiliations of 84 Survey Participants

Six Belief Types

Statewide Economic Growth

Environmental Concerns

Living within Our Limits

Stay the Course

Broken System

State Rights

Everyone agreed…

Water is fundamental to the economy.

An appropriated right does not mean water will be available for use.

Agricultural water is the prime target for water transfers to urban and recreational uses.

Most everyone agreed...

Money has become the driver for allocating water.

The market is not always the appropriate method for allocating water.

It is important to protect existing individual water rights.

Water court decisions have been favorable to agricultural interests.

Current water law is quite functional.

But they disagreed about…

The “use it or lose it” doctrine. Whether there is a disconnect

between land use and water planning.

Whether the recent drought proved the current water system works well or not.

Whether there is plenty of water if used wisely; or

If new water needs to be developed.

Whether or not environmental claims have adequate legal standing.

An example of shared beliefs…

Statewide Economic Growthand

Environmental Concerns

1. Environmental needs should have similar standing in water law;

2. Water conservation are important policies to implement;

3. Using less water does not mean our quality of life will be lowered; and

4. Markets are not always the best mechanism for allocating water.

An example of conflicting beliefs…

Statewide Economic Growthversus

Environmental Concerns

Differ on whether or not land use planning and water planning are adequately connected:

The Statewide Economic Growth group believes the current system is working fine.

The Environmental Concerns strongly believe these is a disconnect between the two types of planning, which is detrimental to the long-term sustainability of water.

What can we do with what we learned?

Do we see commonalities we didn’t know or consider before?

Can understanding “where we come from” help us move from debate to dialogue about the future of water in Colorado?

Understanding Beliefs and Values to Move From Debate to Dialogue…..

…. Just the Beginning

“If conversations within the water community begin with values and

beliefs, common values can emerge, allowing for a wider range

of positions and more enduring solutions.”

“The water community has not embraced dialogue and

cooperation among all interests as the first and fundamental step

toward addressing challenges. We are beginning to talk about the

potential for such approaches, but have yet to implement them in an

effective manner.”

DEBATE: Me against You

DIALOGUE: You and Me

Against the Problem

THE PROBLEM

Debate vs. Dialogue

• We debate positions—what we want

• We have a dialogue about interests (beliefs/values)—why we want it

A Debate over Positions

My position is what I want

• We have to build more storage!

• We have to keep more water in the streams!

A Dialogue about Our Interests (Beliefs and Values)

My interests are why I want it

• We need enough water for the population

• We need to protect the environment

Debate: PolarizesDialogue: Builds on Shared Values

• It is easier to agree on shared values than to agree on positions.

• Agreeing on shared values gives us common ground to start from. We can build solutions from there.

• Even having a dialogue about where we disagree is powerful

Dialogue to Clarify Three Categories of Interests/Values:

• Shared

• Different but Compatible

• Conflicting

Debate vs. Dialogue

We are adversaries We are collaborators

I want to win I want to find common ground

I defend my assumptions as truth

I open up my assumptions for evaluation

I defend my views I admit your ideas can improve my view

Only one right answer Several possible options

Debate vs. Dialogue

I listen so I can make counter arguments

I listen to understand and seek agreement

I search for flaws in your position

I look for strengths in your position

I seek results favorable to me

I seek results which can unite us

May save time in the short run

Usually saves time in the long run

To incorporate beliefs and values into decisions about water:

• Clarify the interests (values)

• Recognize the commonalities

• Understand the differences

• Face the challenges

• Work toward innovative strategies