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The Precarious Politics of Public Innovation

Author

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  • Hendrik Wagenaar

    (The Policy Institute at King’s, King’s College London, London, UK)

  • Matthew Wood

    (Department of Politics, University of Sheffield, UK)

Abstract

This article argues that debates about public innovation among governance scholars risk essentialising the concept. Rather than recognise the inherently normative content of public innovation, some scholars have created taxonomies that conflate very different forms of ‘innovation’ in the public and private sectors, the latter of which is deeply contradictory to public values. We re-think public innovation as both a pragmatic process, a way of responding to developments in contemporary governance, and an inherently public and democratic practice. Our analysis addresses three points: who innovates; what is the object of innovation, and what are the effects of innovation? From this analysis we specify public innovation as both inescapable and democratically necessary to safeguard and promote the important values of public life.

Suggested Citation

  • Hendrik Wagenaar & Matthew Wood, 2018. "The Precarious Politics of Public Innovation," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 6(1), pages 150-160.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:poango:v:6:y:2018:i:1:p:150-160
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jean Hartley, 2005. "Innovation in Governance and Public Services: Past and Present," Public Money & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(1), pages 27-34, January.
    2. James M. Buchanan, 1988. "MarketFailure and Political Failure," Cato Journal, Cato Journal, Cato Institute, vol. 8(1), pages 1-13, Spring/Su.
    3. Christopher Hood & Ruth Dixon & Derek Hawes, 2015. "A Government that Worked Better and Cost Less?: Evaluating Three Decades of Reform and Change in UK Central Government," Post-Print hal-01577644, HAL.
    4. W. H. Voorberg & V. J. J. M. Bekkers & L. G. Tummers, 2015. "A Systematic Review of Co-Creation and Co-Production: Embarking on the social innovation journey," Public Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(9), pages 1333-1357, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Liz Richardson & Catherine Durose & Beth Perry, 2018. "Coproducing Urban Governance," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 6(1), pages 145-149.

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