Public markets and private democracy? The renegotiation of public and private in global politics

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are usually conceptualized as “state-nonstate partnerships.” Yet this conception is problematic since it is based on the implicit assumption of a quasi-automatic link between legal and motivational actor characteristics, that is, the “public” status of an actor and this actor’s willingness (and capacity) to act “in the public interest.” While those with formal ties to a state are assumed to act “in the public interest,” those without this link are assumed to be acting “in their own private interest.” As we know, both assumptions are questionable. In fact, it would not be too surprising to identify a PPP in which the members of the “public” entity are seeking their own, private benefit, while the “private” partner is seeking to ensure the provision of a common good, such as clean air, safe drinking water, or the preservation of biological diversity.