Rethinking Governance

Rethinking Governance offers a fresh perspective on the confusing and often contradictory debates surrounding modern statecraft. Stephen Bell and Andrew Hindmoor challenge the common notion that governments are in decline, arguing instead that states are enhancing their power by creating stronger alliances with non-government entities. By redefining governance as the strategies used by governments to assist in governing, this book invites readers to reconsider the capacity and evolution of state power. The authors introduce a compelling framework that distinguishes five modes of government: traditional hierarchies, persuasive techniques, market-based and contractual approaches, community involvement, and network associations. Through practical examples, Bell and Hindmoor illuminate how contemporary states skillfully deploy a blend of these modes to tackle specific policy challenges, ultimately refuting the idea that governance is in a state of disarray.