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Policy Assemblages and Policy Resilience: Lessons for Non-Design from Evolutionary Governance Theory

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  • Kris Hartley

    (Department of Asian and Policy Studies, Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R.)

  • Michael Howlett

    (Department of Political Science, Simon Fraser University, Canada)

Abstract

Evolutionary governance theory (EGT) provides a basis for holistically analyzing the shifting contexts and dynamics of policymaking in settings with functional differentiation and complex subsystems. Policy assemblages, as mixes of policy tools and goals, are an appropriate unit of analysis for EGT because they embody the theory’s emphasis on co-evolving elements within policy systems. In rational practice, policymakers design policies within assemblages by establishing objectives, collecting information, comparing options, strategizing implementation, and selecting instruments. However, as EGT implies, this logical progression does not always materialize so tidily—some policies emerge from carefully considered blueprints while others evolve from muddled processes, laissez faire happenstance, or happy accident. Products of the latter often include loosely steered, unmoored, and ‘non-designed’ path dependencies that confound linear logic and are understudied in the policy literature. There exists the need for a more intricate analytical vocabulary to describe this underexplored ‘chaotic’ end of the policy design spectrum, as conjuring images of ‘muddles’ or ‘messes’ has exhausted its usefulness. This article introduces a novel metaphor for non-design—the bird nest—to bring studies of policy design and non-design into lexical harmony.

Suggested Citation

  • Kris Hartley & Michael Howlett, 2021. "Policy Assemblages and Policy Resilience: Lessons for Non-Design from Evolutionary Governance Theory," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(2), pages 451-459.
  • Handle: RePEc:cog:poango:v9:y:2021:i:2:p:451-459
    DOI: 10.17645/pag.v9i2.4170
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jan Enkler & Sylvia Schmidt & Steffen Eckhard & Christoph Knill & Stephan Grohs, 2017. "Administrative Styles in the OECD: Bureaucratic Policy-Making beyond Formal Rules," International Journal of Public Administration, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 40(8), pages 637-648, July.
    2. Giliberto Capano & Andrea Lippi, 2017. "How policy instruments are chosen: patterns of decision makers’ choices," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 50(2), pages 269-293, June.
    3. Michael Howlett & Jeremy Rayner, 2013. "Patching vs Packaging in Policy Formulation: Assessing Policy Portfolio Design," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 1(2), pages 170-182.
    4. Emery Roe, 2016. "Policy messes and their management," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 49(4), pages 351-372, December.
    5. Michael Howlett & Jeremy Rayner, 2013. "Patching vs Packaging in Policy Formulation: Assessing Policy Portfolio Design," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 1(2), pages 170-182.
    6. Adam Wellstead & Jeremy Rayner & Michael Howlett, 2016. "Alberta's oil sands reclamation policy trajectory: the role of tense layering, policy stretching, and policy patching in long-term policy dynamics," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 59(10), pages 1873-1890, October.
    7. Howlett, Michael, 2009. "Process Sequencing Policy Dynamics: Beyond Homeostasis and Path Dependency," Journal of Public Policy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 29(3), pages 241-262, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Raoul Beunen & Kristof Van Assche, 2021. "Steering in Governance: Evolutionary Perspectives," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(2), pages 365-368.

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