Handbook on Theories of Governance

In the past two decades, governance theories have arisen semi-independently across multiple disciplines. In law and regulation, planning, democratic theory, economics, public management, and international relations, among other disciplines, scholars have sought to describe new strategies of governing. As a result, the term 'governance' is one of the most frequently used social science concepts in the world. No single theory encompasses this diverse body of work, but rather multiple theories with different aims and perspectives. The Handbook on Theories of Governance collects these theories of governance together as an analytical resource for scholars, students and practitioners. The handbook advances a deeper theoretical understanding of governance processes while illuminating the interdisciplinary foundations of the field. By reviewing key theoretical concepts, the handbook provides a basic conceptual toolkit for analyzing contemporary governance and offers important insights into how governance research contributes to social science theory development. By canvassing the different forms of governance, the chapters also reveal the diversity of contemporary governing practices. An epilogue identifies common themes across the chapters and points to opportunities for future research. In our increasingly complex, fragmented and dynamic society, this Handbook is a key resource for those who seek to deepen or broaden their theoretical understanding of governance. It will be a powerful aid for scholars, students and practitioners who wish to gauge the theoretical depth and breadth of governance studies. Contributors include: C. Ansell, I. Bache, I. Bartle, P. Blomqvist, J.N. Brass, J.M. Bryson, G. Bullock, J. de Fine Licht, J. Edelenbos, M. Egeberg, L. Ericksson, M. Flinders, A. Gash, S. Geertman, A.K. Gerlak, L. Gerrits, R. Glennon, A. Gornitzka, S. Griggs, J. Hartley, T. Hartmann, M. Haugaard, M. Haubrich-Seco, T. Heikkila, R. Holahan, D. Howarth, M. Isailovic, B. Jessop, S.I. Karlsson-Vinkhuyzen, R. Keast, P. Kenis, A. Klinke, C. Koliba, M. Lubell, W. Mattli, R. Mayntz, J.W. Meek, D. Naurin, K. Nielsen, P.O. OEberg, S. Osborne, D. Panke, Y. Papadopoulos, P. Pattberg, B.G. Peters, J. Pierre, K.S. Quick, Z. Radnor, O. Renn, M.L. Rhodes, K. Sahlin, J. Seddon, E. Sorensen, T. Steelman, K. Stephenson, S. Talesh, L. Taylor, J. Torfing, P. Triantafillou, J. Trondal, N. Turnbull, I. van Meerkerk, J. Yasuda

The thoroughly revised and updated Handbook on Theories of Governance brings together leading scholars in the field to summarise and assess the diversity of governance theories. The Handbook advances a deeper theoretical understanding of governance processes, illuminating the interdisciplinary foundations of the field. The thoroughly revised and updated Handbook on Theories of Governance brings together leading scholars in the field to summarise and assess the diversity of governance theories. The Handbook advances a deeper theoretical understanding of governance processes, illuminating the interdisciplinary foundations of the field. Chapters review key concepts and ideas that form the backbone of modern governance studies, offering vital insights into how this contributes to the development of social science research. The comprehensively updated second edition provides new insights on governance in the contemporary political landscape of global authoritarian populism, emergent progressive movements and the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Delivering a foundational conceptual toolkit for research, this Handbook reveals the diversity of contemporary governing practices as changing political dynamics lay the groundwork for the next generation of theories of governance. Sketching a comprehensive map for governance research, this Handbook is a crucial resource for scholars and researchers of governance, as well as those in political science, public policy and public management in need of a solid understanding of core governance theories. It also offers policymakers and practitioners an agenda for navigating the future of governance in a rapidly changing global political order.