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Steering in Governance: Evolutionary Perspectives

Author

Listed:
  • Raoul Beunen

    (Faculty of Science, Open University, The Netherlands)

  • Kristof Van Assche

    (Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Canada)

Abstract

Steering has negative connotations nowadays in many discussions on governance, policy, politics and planning. The associations with the modernist state project linger on. At the same time, a rethinking of what is possible by means of policy and planning, what is possible through governance, which forms of change and which pursuits of common goods still make sense, in an era of cynicism about steering yet also high steering expectations, seems eminently useful. Between laissez faire and blue-print planning are many paths which can be walked. In this thematic issue, we highlight the value of evolutionary understandings of governance and of governance in society, in order to grasp which self-transformations of governance systems are more likely than others and which governance tools and ideas stand a better chance than others in a particular context. We pay particular attention to Evolutionary Governance Theory (EGT) as a perspective on governance which delineates steering options as stemming from a set of co-evolutions in governance. Understanding steering options requires, for EGT, path mapping of unique governance paths, as well as context mapping, the external contexts relevant for the mode of reproduction of the governance system in case. A rethinking of steering in governance, through the lens of EGT, can shed a light on governance for innovation, sustainability transitions, new forms of participation and self-organization. For EGT, co-evolutions and dependencies, not only limit but also shape possibilities of steering, per path and per domain of governance and policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Raoul Beunen & Kristof Van Assche, 2021. "Steering in Governance: Evolutionary Perspectives," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(2), pages 365-368.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:poango:v:9:y:2021:i:2:p:365-368
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Katja Mielke & Helena Cermeño, 2021. "Mitigating Pro-Poor Housing Failures: Access Theory and the Politics of Urban Governance," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(2), pages 439-450.
    2. Rodrigo Alves Rolo & Kristof Van Assche & Martijn Duineveld, 2021. "Strategy and Steering in Governance: The Changing Fates of the Argentine Planning Council," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(2), pages 415-427.
    3. Kristof van Assche & Raoul Beunen & Martijn Duineveld, 2014. "Evolutionary Governance Theory," SpringerBriefs in Economics, Springer, edition 127, number 978-3-319-00984-1, October.
    4. Gaby Umbach & Igor Tkalec, 2021. "Social Investment Policies in the EU: Actively Concrete or Passively Abstract?," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(2), pages 403-414.
    5. Lochner Marais & Verna Nel & Kholisa Rani & Deidré van Rooyen & Kentse Sesele & Phia van der Watt & Lyndon du Plessis, 2021. "Economic Transitions in South Africa’s Secondary Cities: Governing Mine Closures," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(2), pages 381-392.
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    Cited by:

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    3. Stella Sofia Kyvelou & Dimitrios G. Ierapetritis & Michalis Chiotinis, 2023. "The Future of Fisheries Co-Management in the Context of the Sustainable Blue Economy and the Green Deal: There Is No Green without Blue," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-24, May.

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