Rethinking Theories of Governance (Rethinking Political Science and International Studies series) - Softcover

Ansell, Christopher

 
9781035352722: Rethinking Theories of Governance (Rethinking Political Science and International Studies series)
Softcover
ISBN 10: 1035352729 ISBN 13: 9781035352722
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2024

Synopsis

Are theories of governance useful for helping policymakers and citizens meet and tackle contemporary challenges? This insightful book reflects on how a theory becomes useful and evaluates a range of theories according to whether they are warranted, diagnostic, and dialogical.



By arguing that useful theory tells us what to ask, not what to do, Christopher Ansell investigates what it means for a theory to be useful. Analysing how governance theories address a variety of specific challenges, chapters examine intractable public problems, weak government accountability, violent conflict, global gridlock, poverty and the unsustainable exploitation of our natural resources. Finding significant tensions between state- and society-centric perspectives on governance, the book concludes with a suggestion that we refocus our theories of governance on possibilities for state-society synergy. Governance theories of the future, Ansell argues, should also strive for a more fruitful dialogue between instrumental, critical and explanatory perspectives.



Examining both the conceptual and empirical basis of theories of governance, this comprehensive book will be an invigorating read for scholars and students in the fields of public administration, public policy and planning, development studies, political science and urban, environmental and global governance. By linking theories of governance to concrete societal challenges, it will also be of use to policymakers and practitioners concerned with these fields.

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About the Author

Christopher Ansell, Professor, Department of Political Science, University of California, Berkeley, US

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Publisher
Edward Elgar Publishing
Publication date
2024
Language
English
ISBN 10 
1035352729
ISBN 13 
9781035352722
Binding
Paperback
Number of pages
256

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9781789909180: Rethinking Theories of Governance (Rethinking Political Science and International Studies series)

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  178990918X ISBN 13:  9781789909180
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2023
Hardcover