Governance - Softcover

Kjaer, Anne Mette

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0745629792 ISBN 13: 9780745629797

Publisher: Polity, 2004

Synopsis

Governance is an easy-to read introduction to an increasingly important concept in political science. It provides a clear overview of how the concept has been used in the sub-fields of public administration and public policy, international relations, European studies and comparative politics.

There is no universally accepted and agreed definition of 'governance'. It remains an elusive theory, defined and conceptualized in various ways. In this book, Anne Mette Kjær guides the reader through the key theoretical debates which have given rise to distinct interpretations of governance. Drawing on a wide range of empirical examples to illustrate her arguments, the author explores how governance has been used in different ways to describe political changes in the modern world. She goes on to weigh up the pros and cons of governance as an analytical term, and concludes with a discussion of the World Bank’s role as an international organization which aims to promote ‘good governance’ in poor countries across the globe.

This is the first textbook to offer a systematic assessment of current debates around the concept of governance. It will be a valuable resource for undergraduate and postgraduate students of politics, international relations and public policy.

About this title

About the Author:

Anne Mette Kjaer is Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Aarhus, Denmark.

Review:

'In Governance: Key Concepts, Anne Mette Kjaer has done scholars and students a worthy service by grounding the study of governance in a solid foundation of theoretical principle and practical example. She has encapsulated much of the governance literature into a readable, brief, and comprehensive work.'

International Studies Review

About this edition

• Publisher: Polity
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0745629792
• ISBN 13: 9780745629797
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 256