1. Democratic Governance and Policy Networks
Democratic Governance and Policy Networks ON Democratic Governance and Policy
NetworksPolicy networks are a prevalent feature of democratic governance. The policy
network approach requires collaboration among interested parties in order to make
progress in forming public policy. The various actors in a policy network organize, form
coalitions, communicate, coordinate, and compete around policy issues of interest to them.
Policy networks are organic entities that may change over time. Depending on the policy
issue, today’s allies in a policy network may be tomorrow’s enemies. For example,
conservative and libertarian groups may work together to defeat a new tax proposal but
may quickly part ways over the legalization of medical marijuana. The operation of policy
networks is shaped by the political, social, and economic climate in which they operate.To
prepare for this Assignment:Review the articles “Analyzing and Managing Policy Processes
in Complex Networks: A Theoretical Examination of the Concept Policy Network and Its
Problems” in this week’s Learning Resources. Consider the definitions of policy network
presented and the evolving structures and processes associated with the term policy
network.Review Chapter 1 of “The Network Society from Knowledge to Policy” in this
week’s Learning Resources. Consider the effect of networks on society.Review the article
“The Development of Policy Network Analyses: From Modest Origins to Overarching
Frameworks” in this week’s Learning Resources. Consider whether basic concepts of
democratic governance play a role in policy networks.Review the article “Using the
Advocacy Coalition Framework to Understand Freight Transportation Policy Change” in this
week’s Learning Resources. Think about how the advocacy coalition framework is used to
advance policy change.Reflect on the elements of the policy network approach present in
the advocacy coalition framework.Recall the issue you selected for this week’s Discussion
and think about which actors and organizations might be part of the policy network related
to the issue.Pay particular attention to how actors in a policy network might communicate
and coordinate.Consider how democratic governance might influence the operation of
policy networks.The Assignment (2–3 pages): Democratic Governance and Policy
NetworksBriefly describe the issue you selected.Describe the actors and organizations in
the policy network related to your chosen issue.Explain how democratic governance
influences the operation of policy networks, specifically the one(s) related to your issue.
Next, explain how policy networks influence democratic governance.Based on your analysis,
draw conclusions and share insights about the relationship between democratic governance
and policy networks. your Assignment with specific references to all resources used in its
2. preparation. You are asked to provide a reference list only for those resources not included
in the Learning Resources for this course.** READINGSImperial, M. T. (2005). Using
collaboration as a governance strategy: Lessons from six watershed management
programs. Administration and Society, 37(3), 281–320.Retrieved from the Walden Library
databases.Klijn, E. H. (1996). Analyzing and managing policy processes in complex
networks: A theoretical examination of the concept policy network and its
problems. Administration and Society, 28(1), 90–119.Retrieved from the Walden Library
databases.Stich, B., & Miller, C. R. (2008). Using the advocacy coalition framework to
understand freight transportation policy change. Public Works Management Policy, 13(1),
62–74.Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.Thatcher, M. (1998). The development
of policy network analyses: From modest origins to overarching frameworks. Journal of
Theoretical Politics, 10(4), 389–416.The development of policy network analyses: From
modest origins to overarching frameworks by Thatcher, M., in the Journal of Theoretical
Politics, 10(4). Copyright 1998 by Sage Publications Inc. Journals. Reprinted by permission
of Sage Publications Inc. Journals via the Copyright Clearance Center.Castells, M. (2005). The
network society: From knowledge to policy. In M. Castells, & G. Cardoso (Eds.), The network
society: From knowledge to policy. Washington, DC: The Center for Transatlantic Relations.
Retrieved
from http://works.bepress.com/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1098&context=jane_fountain&
seiredir=1&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fscholar.google.com%2Fscholar%3Fstart%3D30%26
q%3Dpolicy%2Bnetwork%26hl%3Den%
26as_sdt%3D0%2C11#search=%22policy%20network%22Note: You can also use Google
Scholar and search for Policy Network.
