Abstract
AbstractThis Forum contribution takes a critical look at 'policy', 'policymaking' and 'governing' as key concepts in policy studies. I briefly peruse the historical etymology of 'policy' to unearth root meanings that, jointly, make up the 'signature' of policy in the language used by observers, practitioners and citizens. Next, I discuss the relation between 'policy' and 'governing'. In a normative conclusion I reflect on the possibility of problematisation as source for a less depoliticised, more democratic post policy centered way of governing.
Highlights
This Forum contribution intends something quite unusual in policy studies
A superficial perusal of uses of the concept “policy” in history and in different countries shows that this positive-negative, revealing-hiding switch may be observed with “policy.”
If one conceives “natural behavior” of a thing as the implied destination of a trajectory governed by the metaphorical logic of a property, for “policy” the following five “natural behaviors” may be listed: A preoccupation with authoritative choice and decision by the state leads naturally to autocracy, authoritarianism, centralization, power maintenance and expansion: “L’etat ßc’est moi.”
Summary
This Forum contribution intends something quite unusual in policy studies. I will not take the meanings of “policy” and “governing” as self-evident and beyond the pale of critical inquiry.
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