Research Agenda for Governance

Elgar Research Agendas outline the future of research in a given area. Leading scholars are given the space to explore their subject in provocative ways, and map out the potential directions of travel. They are relevant but also visionary.This incisive Research Agenda for Governance draws together unique contributions from leading scholars to examine the two distinct models of governance: the traditional model, based on the state and exercise of control through law and bureaucracy, and an alternative model centred on the collaboration of public and private sector actors.Introducing the essential principles and rationale of these alternative models of governance, both of which can be seen operating at all levels of government in democratic as well as non-democratic regimes, the chapters evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the two systems. Drawing conclusions from critical areas of inquiry, including multi-level governance, the nature of governance in democratic and authoritarian regimes, and digital innovations in governance, the book offers a richly detailed insight into the respective workings of the models of governing by control and by collaboration.This Research Agenda will be an invaluable resource for academics and graduate students of public policy, regulation and governance, and public administration management. Its measured consideration of the possibilities for enhancing public innovation via alternative models of governance will also be of significant interest to employees within the public sector.

‘This is essential stuff for anyone interested in real processes of governance. If you want to understand how new forms of collaboration with citizens become intertwined with traditional modes of hierarchical governance – and in the challenges this poses for governance practices and governance research – this book is essential. It is also written in easily accessible language while simultaneously drawing on a very rich base of expert knowledge. A fascinating read!’

B. Guy Peters, Maurice Falk Professor of Government, Department of Political Science, University of Pittsburgh, US, Jon Pierre, Professor of Political Science, Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, Eva Sørensen, Professor, Department of Social Sciences and Business, Roskilde University, Denmark and Professor, Nord University, Norway and Jacob Torfing, Professor of Politics and Institutions, Department of Social Sciences and Business, Roskilde University, Denmark and Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences, Nord University, Norway