Governance as a theoretical approach – some contentious issues

Abstract

Governance is a popular theoretical approach in the social sciences. However, it involves a number of definitional and theoretical problems. The issue of the ambiguity of the concept and the numerous attempts to recognize the complexity of reality in its framework is subject to criticism. A categorization of numerous definitions of governance is proposed. The weaknesses of the governance approach as a theoretical framework in the social sciences are indicated: the inability to clearly indicate a causal entity in decision-making networks, wrongful diminution of the role of state agencies, its strong normative dimension. In the conclusions it is stated that governance is an attempt, albeit not very successful, but one and only at a holistic description of the hyperpluralist environment of public actors. The weakness of governance approach can be overcome by subjecting the phenomena to micro- or meso-level analysis.