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The Governance of Networks: Heuristic or Formal Analysis? A Reply to Rachel Parker

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  • Dimitrios C. Christopoulos

Abstract

Rachel Parker, in her article ‘Networked Governance or Just Networks?’ in this journal, has dealt with a very challenging question on the relevance of network interaction to governance outcomes. Her use of network concepts, however, appears to employ networks as a heuristic device. Her article employs terms that describe social network properties that are best contextualised with reference to the theoretical insights offered by formal Social Network Analysis (SNA). My suggestion in this brief review is that some of the theoretical assumptions made about concepts such as fluidity, density or trust imply specific network properties that cannot be ignored when attempting an analysis of policy outcomes.

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  • Dimitrios C. Christopoulos, 2008. "The Governance of Networks: Heuristic or Formal Analysis? A Reply to Rachel Parker," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 56(2), pages 475-481, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:polstu:v:56:y:2008:i:2:p:475-481
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9248.2008.00733.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Marsh & Martin J. Smith, 2001. "There is More than One Way to Do Political Science: on Different Ways to Study Policy Networks," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 49(3), pages 528-541, August.
    2. Keith Dowding, 2001. "There Must Be End to Confusion: Policy Networks, Intellectual Fatigue, and the Need for Political Science Methods Courses in British Universities," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 49(1), pages 89-105, March.
    3. Rachel Parker, 2007. "Networked Governance or Just Networks? Local Governance of the Knowledge Economy in Limerick (Ireland) and Karlskrona (Sweden)," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 55(1), pages 113-132, March.
    4. Sartori, Giovanni, 1970. "Concept Misformation in Comparative Politics," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 64(4), pages 1033-1053, December.
    5. Rachel Parker, 2007. "Networked Governance or Just Networks? Local Governance of the Knowledge Economy in Limerick (Ireland) and Karlskrona (Sweden)," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 55, pages 113-132, March.
    6. David Marsh & Martin Smith, 2000. "Understanding Policy Networks: towards a Dialectical Approach," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 48(1), pages 4-21, March.
    7. Ronald S. Burt, 1998. "The Gender Of Social Capital," Rationality and Society, , vol. 10(1), pages 5-46, February.
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