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Achilles' heels of governance: Critical capacity deficits and their role in governance failures

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  • Michael Howlett
  • M. Ramesh

Abstract

This article assesses the usefulness of conceptions of policy capacity for understanding policy and governance outcomes. In order to shed light on this issue, it revisits the concept of governance, derives a model of basic governance types and discusses their capacity pre‐requisites. A model of capacity is developed combining competences over three levels of activities with analysis of resource capabilities at each level. This analysis is then applied to the common modes of governance. While each mode requires all types of capacity if it is to match its theoretically optimal potential, most on‐the‐ground modes do not attain their highest potential. Moreover, each mode has a critical type of capacity which serves as its principle vulnerability; its “Achilles' heel.” Without high levels of the requisite capacity, the governance mode is unlikely to perform as expected. While some hybrid modes can serve to supplement or reinforce each other and bridge capacity gaps, other mixed forms may aggravate single mode issues. Switching between modes or adopting hybrid modes is, therefore, a non‐trivial issue in which considerations of capacity issues in general and Achilles' heel capacities in particular should be a central concern.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Howlett & M. Ramesh, 2016. "Achilles' heels of governance: Critical capacity deficits and their role in governance failures," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 10(4), pages 301-313, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:reggov:v:10:y:2016:i:4:p:301-313
    DOI: 10.1111/rego.12091
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    3. Helen Dickinson & Anne Kavanagh & Stefanie Dimov & Marissa Shields & Ashley McAllister, 2023. "Political legitimacy and vaccine hesitancy: Disability support workers in Australia," Policy and Society, Darryl S. Jarvis and M. Ramesh, vol. 42(1), pages 104-116.
    4. Carsten Daugbjerg, 2022. "Against the odds: How policy capacity can compensate for weak instruments in promoting sustainable food," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 55(3), pages 451-467, September.
    5. Paul Fawcett, 2021. "Metagovernance of migration policy in the Asia Pacific region: an analysis of policy tools [Metagovernance and nuclear power in Europe]," Policy and Society, Darryl S. Jarvis and M. Ramesh, vol. 40(3), pages 431-447.
    6. Ishani Mukherjee, 2021. "Rethinking the procedural in policy instrument ‘Compounds’: a renewable energy policy perspective [Introducing vertical policy coordination to comparative policy analysis: The missing link between ," Policy and Society, Darryl S. Jarvis and M. Ramesh, vol. 40(3), pages 312-332.

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