Governance Networks

A �governance network� is comprised of multiple organizational actors, often spanning sectors and/or levels, who work together to influence the creation, carry out the implementation, or undertake the monitoring of public policies.

�Governance networks are democratically anchored to the extent that they are properly linked to different political constituencies and to a relevant set of democratic norms that are part of the democratic ethos of society:

• Controlled by democratically elected politicians;
• Represents the membership basis of the participating groups and organizations;
• Is accountable to the territorially defined citizenry; and
• Follows the democratic rules specified by a particular grammar of conduct�
  (Sorensen and Torfing, 2005 P.201).

(Source: Koliba, 2006)

Governance Network Book Project:

Koliba, C. Governance Networks: Serving the Public Interest Across Sectors. To be published in May of 2009 by Taylor & Francis as a part of their Public Administration and Public Policy series, edited by Evan Berman.

Related Articles:

Koliba, C. 2007. Governing Governance Networks: Assessing the Educational Imperative. National Society of Schools of Public Policy and Administration. Seattle, WA.

Koliba, C. 2007. Accountability in Governance Networks: Lessons from Hurricane Katrina. Public Administration Theory Network. Annual Conference. Harrisburg, PA.

Koliba, C. 2007. On Sharpening Knives and Governing Networks. Administrative Theory & Praxis. 29(2). 321-325.

Koliba, C. 2006. Serving the Public Interest Across Sectors: Assessing the Implications of Network Governance. Administrative Theory & Praxis. 28(4).593-601.

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