Governance Networks in City-regions: In the Spirit of Democratic Accountability?

Abstract

Public policy making through networks raises democratic accountability concerns related to lack of control, transparency and predictability. There is a question of how democratic accountability can increase in governance networks. This article utilises an extended notion of democratic accountability to additionally include democratic dialogue and the wider accountability environment. Through three case studies, the article argues that governance networks involved in public policy processes have to take their role as democratically accountable actors seriously. In order to inspire confidence between governance networks and the regional society (political, administrative, private sector and civil society), inclusion of elected representatives (meta-governance) at different stages of the process is not alone a sufficient solution. Transparency through process openness, predictability and clarity in who is to be held responsible for their actions, in addition to control through open arenas and responsiveness, is essential for a governance network to be perceived as democratically accountable. These accountability elements can enhance trust relations between network and surroundings, and by this shape the basis for the crucial balance between network benefits and democratic ideals.