Discursive Governance In Politics Policy And The Public Sphere

This book studies the dynamics of political discourse in governance processes. It demonstrates the process in which political discourses become normative mechanisms, first marking socially constructed realities in politics, second playing a role in delineating the subsequent policy frames, and third influencing the public sphere.

This book studies the dynamics of political discourse in governance processes. It demonstrates the process in which political discourses become normative mechanisms, first marking socially constructed realities in politics, second playing a role in delineating the subsequent policy frames, and third influencing the public sphere.

Discursive Democracy examines how the political process can be made more vital and meaningful.

There has been an explosion of new forms of governance as societies adapt to economic, social and political change. This book highlights the dynamics of the social, cultural and institutional practices involved in 'remaking' governance. It is structured around three key themes: the remaking of peoples, publics and politics.

Remaking governance focuses on the dynamics of change as new strategies - active citizenship, public participation, partnership working, consumerism - encounter existing institutions. It explores different sites and practices of governing, from the remaking of Europe to the increasing focus on 'community' and 'personhood' in governing social life. The authors critically engage with existing theory across political science, social policy, sociology and public administration and management to explore how 'the social' is constituted through governance practices. This includes the ways in which the spaces and territories of governing are remade and the peoples constituted; how the public domain is re-imagined and new forms of state-citizen relationships fostered and how the remaking of governance shapes our understanding of politics, changing the ways in which citizens engage with political power and the selves they bring to that engagement. Remaking governance is essential reading for academics and students across a range of social science disciplines, and of interest to those engaged in policy evaluation and reform.

This title was first published in 2000. Drawing upon fieldwork conducted with Amnesty International, the Labour Party, Tenants’ Associations and the Exodus collective, this work examines the nature of political activism. The author combines Habermasian theory and empirical fieldwork to critically analyze the nature of the political public sphere. While adopting a Habermasian approach, Clark recognizes the problems and limitations associated with notions of civil society and communicative action. An empirically formed critical stance is maintained throughout the work. Three main themes are drawn from this research: an analysis of structures of political participation; presentation of a typology of political activism ; analysis of the public process of participation. Essential reading for those studying public participation and its relationship to activism, as well as for students of politics, public policy and sociology.

Public policy has a dynamic effect on multiple facets of modern society. Methods for managing and engaging the public sphere continue to change conceptually across the globe, impacting the ways that governments and citizens interact both within and across borders. Management and Participation in the Public Sphere is a definitive reference source for the latest scholarly research on the interplay of public affairs and the domestic realm, providing innovative methods on managing public policy across various nations, cultures, and governments. Featuring expansive coverage on a multitude of relevant topics in civic involvement, information technology, and modes of government, this publication is a pivotal reference source for researchers, students, and professionals seeking current developments in novel approaches to public policy studies. This publication features timely, research-based chapters on the critical issues of public policy including, but not limited to, archival paradigms, Internet censorship, media control, civic engagement, virtual public spaces, online activism, higher education, and public-private partnerships.

This engaging text examines the social impact of globalization in creating an identifiable sense of community and security. Particular attention is paid to how neo-liberal global agendas are re-shaping the relationship between state and citizen and how increased corporatisation is making us re-think the concept of political obligation. The book examines critically the fragility of democratic politics and how the decline of one form of politics is providing opportunities for the formation of new political spaces.