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Talking About Government

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  • Christopher Pollitt
  • Peter Hupe

Abstract

This article examines the phenomenon of ‘magic’ concepts -- those key terms which seem to be pervasive among both academics and practitioners. Within that category our focus is on ‘governance’, ‘accountability’ and ‘networks’. Our prime purpose is to map their meanings and how they are used. Following an analysis of a wide range of literature -- both academic and practitioner -- we find that these concepts have properties in common which help promote their popularity. A high degree of abstraction, a strongly positive normative charge, a seeming ability to dissolve previous dilemmas and binary oppositions and a mobility across domains, give them their ‘magic’ character. Limitations are also identified. Magic concepts are useful, but potentially seductive. They should not be stretched to purposes for which they are not fitted.

Suggested Citation

  • Christopher Pollitt & Peter Hupe, 2011. "Talking About Government," Public Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(5), pages 641-658, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:pubmgr:v:13:y:2011:i:5:p:641-658
    DOI: 10.1080/14719037.2010.532963
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    2. Mariapia Pazienza & Martin de Jong & Dirk Schoenmaker, 2022. "Clarifying the Concept of Corporate Sustainability and Providing Convergence for Its Definition," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-21, June.
    3. Tirziu, Andreea-Maria, 2016. "Inovarea socială – o viziune benefică asupra sectorului public. Studiu de caz: inovarea socială în universităڏile publice din Italia [Social innovation – a beneficial vision on the public sector. C," MPRA Paper 77705, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 2016.
    4. Graeme A. Hodge, 2013. "Rethinking the state through the lens of regulatory governance," Chapters, in: John Farrar & David G. Mayes (ed.), Globalisation, the Global Financial Crisis and the State, chapter 9, pages 197-217, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    5. Hanson, Helena I. & Wickenberg, Björn & Alkan Olsson, Johanna, 2020. "Working on the boundaries—How do science use and interpret the nature-based solution concept?," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    6. Ani MATEI & Carmen SĂVULESCU & Corina Georgiana ANTONOVICI, 2015. "Social Innovation in the Local Public Sector: A Cross-Regional Approach for Romania," Theoretical and Applied Economics, Asociatia Generala a Economistilor din Romania / Editura Economica, vol. 0(4(605), W), pages 5-20, Winter.
    7. Shuwang Zhang & Ghulam Rasool Madni & Iftikhar Yasin, 2022. "Exploring the Mutual Nexus of Social Capital, Social Innovations and Organizational Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-15, September.
    8. Krijgsheld, Marcel & Schmidt, Eduard (J.E.T.) & Levels, Edwin & Schuurmans, Marieke (M.J.), 2024. "Healthcare professionals as change agents: Factors influencing bottom-up, personal initiatives on appropriate care, a qualitative study in the Netherlands," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    9. Claudio Columbano, 2022. "Measuring fiscal guidance transparency," Public Sector Economics, Institute of Public Finance, vol. 46(2), pages 261-296.
    10. Cristina Campanale & Sara Giovanna Mauro & Alessandro Sancino, 2021. "Managing co-production and enhancing good governance principles: insights from two case studies," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 25(1), pages 275-306, March.
    11. Di Vaio, Assunta & Trujillo, Lourdes & D'Amore, Gabriella & Palladino, Rosa, 2021. "Water governance models for meeting sustainable development Goals:A structured literature review," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    12. Jonathan Rösler & Tobias Söll & Louise Hancock & Thomas Friedli, 2021. "Value Co-Creation between Public Service Organizations and the Private Sector: An Organizational Capabilities Perspective," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-20, May.
    13. Helena Wockelberg & Shirin Ahlbäck Öberg, 2022. "Agency Autonomy and Organizational Interaction," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 22(4), pages 1045-1062, December.
    14. Rasool Sarihi Asfestani & Mehraban Hadi Peykani & Akbar Eetebaryan, 2017. "Design and Presentation of Professional Ethics Criteria and Indicators for the Promotion of Political Accountability within Iranian’s Government Organizations (Case Study: National Chief Executive Dev," International Review of Management and Marketing, Econjournals, vol. 7(2), pages 226-232.
    15. Abu Elias Sarker & Syed Awais Ahmad Tipu & Farhana Razzaque, 2022. "An Integrative Dynamic Framework of Social Accountability: Determinants, Initiatives, and Outcomes," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 22(1), pages 117-133, March.
    16. Michael McGann & Emma Blomkamp & Jenny M. Lewis, 2018. "The rise of public sector innovation labs: experiments in design thinking for policy," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 51(3), pages 249-267, September.
    17. repec:agr:journl:v:4(605):y:2015:i:4(605):p:5-20 is not listed on IDEAS
    18. De Silva, Muthu & Gokhberg, Leonid & Meissner, Dirk & Russo, Margherita, 2021. "Addressing societal challenges through the simultaneous generation of social and business values: A conceptual framework for science-based co-creation," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).

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