Lecture 5: Theory: Making choices; criteria in a hybrid governance system Flashcards
Explain what the difference between contingency and post-contingency entails.
Contingency states that the performance of governance approaches depends on the circumstances (context). There is not ‘one size fits all’. Post-contingency is a complementary approach of the object-oriented and intersubjective oriented approach. With this, we look at the world we see things, discuss about it (make sense of it) and then decide what appraoch fits the best. It shifts the perspective from contingency being dependent on the degree of complexity towards contingency to a matter of choice.
- Post-contingency implies we should further redefine and interpret the idea of contingency choices. Post-contingency does not deny the value of taking an object oriented focus, but understands that its limitations force us to look beyond only taking such an object oriented focus.
- Post-contingency takes inspiration from the idea that contingency theories offer rationales for categorizing our (spatial) environment or situations and contingently relate (planning) approaches, actions and consequences to these situations. Post-contingency, does so by expressing that this process of categorizing and relating is based on joining an object-oriented and intersubjective oriented approach
How can decentralization be seen according to ch 3 from Zuidema (2016)?
Decentralization can be seen as a means of adapting to conditions of increased complexity, where governance approaches can be developed that are tailored to the unique circumstances surrounding the more complex issues.
What focusshift will decentralization involve as a cause of the contingency between structure and function?
A shift of focus from single fixed goals to multiple composite goals.
How can the coordinative model be used according to Zuidema?
- It has important benefits in terms of responding to conditions of limited complexity, or focusing on fulfilling a series of predefined priorities.
- it can play a key role in setting the conditions required for decentralization and the associated use of proactive, area-based and integrated approaches in order to realize their envisioned outcomes.
What categorizations of Contingency Theory are there?
C1. different approaches to governance: so how can we steer a specific way and shit?
C2. Contextual circumstances. What approach works in a certain way, depends on the context/contextual circumstances.
Explain the different variants of complexity with the use of examples
Limited complex: relatively much clarity on how the issue can be solved. Not a lot of causes and effects. Technical-rationale way of fixing things. Well-defined problem that can be solved in a certain way. Ozon depletion in the cans example
High Complexity: lot of uncertainty, difficult to predict. Lots of causes and effects. Multiple objectives that are related. Strategies to rely on are disputed and approaches to reach them are debated. Many different stakeholders have influence on it. Dynamic interaction between these. lots of interests.
Also an on-going process of learning by doing, innovation, changing opinions that can be translated into new definitions.
How can complexity be used as a criterion to make choices?
By matching the categorization of degree of complexity by circumstances and categorizing approaches, so TR fits limited complexity the best. CR fits high degree of complexity the best.
Explain how contingency theory relates to an object-oriented approach and also relate this to how post-contingency relates to an intersubjective oriented approach.
An object-oriented approach is used to see what different circumstances influence which appraoch is the best (context informs choice). Then you use a subjective-oriented approach to make sense of the choice. You interpret, discuss and value which approach is ‘considered the best’. This is post-contingency.
Explain what structure and function mean and how they relate.
Structure is about the social arrangement or patterns: relationships between individuals. The who? Function is what the system means to achieve with regard to other systems or larger environment. The function gives meaning to the structure.
Sometimes structure and function do not match. What do we do in such cases?
When we shift the focus of function we should also shift the focus of structure with it and the other way around.
In De Roo’s model, where do structure and function focus on
Function focuses on the amount of goals: single fixed goals or multiple composite goals.
Structure focuses on the who and way of governance: central governance top down or decentralized interaction bottom up?
Fulfilling predefined objectives effectively will…
combining various conflicting
interests into strategies that ‘make sense’ to those involved
reduces…
learning-by-doing, adapting and
innovating will reduce…
Decision-makers know in advance that the degree to which
they prioritize timely (guaranteed) outcomes will reduce the capacity to…
- Reduce the possibility to involve society/stakeholders and adapt to circumstances
- the capacity to gain from the efficiency of centralized bureacracies
- learning-by-doing, adapting and
innovating will reduce the certainty of timely outcomes. - the capacity to innovate, learn by doing and adapt to uncertain and unforeseen circumstances.
What are the benefits of more flexible approaches?
1 Fits the circumstances more, priorities and stakeholders
2 better integrating interests and issues
3 allow personal choice
4 more learning by doing, innovation and transforming.
What is the trade-off between certainty and regulations
Gaining certainty needs strict regulations.
Explain economies of scale
central governments’ have a greater capacity to attract knowledgeable or experienced staff as compared to smaller (local) units. In some small municipalities, there would be no capacity to have a whole team to focus on air quality and also external safety, noise pollution. There would be one that does everything. This has an effect on how
Explain ‘external effects’ or ‘social dilemmas’
Some enviornmental effects cross different borders and are impossible to fix in a specific municipality for example. For example air quality is a huge problem in the whole world. Germanies’ air pollution also has effects on us. We can’t fix it as a country. Legislation on a higher level is needed for that.
Explain the weak profile. Use examples
Environmental issues have a weak profile. People don’t see them, they are subjective and diffuse.
“Environmental benefits can (…) be hard to express in financial
terms (such as noise nuisance), are often invisible (as with safety
risks), diffuse (as with air pollution), are highly subjective (odour)
or focus on a long time horizon (e.g. sustainability).
People are likely to spend the environment now and discount the future.
What is the trojan horse effect in EPI?
Environmental ambitions in other sectoral interests might be evaded –> resulting in a trojan horse with all these problems that come up later.
What is meant by ‘hybrid structures’?
State provides ‘strong and robust regulations and institutional
frames’: minimal limits, administrative support, finances, etc.
* With flexibility within these frames for market players (e.g. MBI
& EM), community and local governments: dynamic & tailormade.
It’s a balance between looking for flexibility and what approach fits what situation the best (post-contingency) and still using the coordinative model to provide guidance, steering. Add ons on the coordinative model.
What are the four guidelines?
Guideline 1: routine implementation when limited complex
Guideline 2: provide minimal guarantees against falling below
quality thresholds and to protect equity issues, also
between generations
Guideline 3: correct for losing advantages of economies of scale
(resources, expertise)
Guideline 4 : correct for risks of weak profile and external effects
(social dilemma’s)
