Policy making at the local level

Abstract

Chapter 17: In this chapter, we contrast rational and relational approaches to policy-making in local and urban governance. A rational approach to policy-making is premised on fairness, consistency, evidence, and transparency, but may have resulted in unintended consequences of neglecting human relationships. Relational forms of public administration, and policy-making processes that reflect them, are seen as needed to redress some of these past failures. The relational lexicon emphasises multiple voices, relationships, values, responsiveness and local adaption in policy. The landscape these two trends represent is of a complex, multi-actor environment in which control and standardisation is at risk, but there is potential for greater tailoring and effectiveness. This chapter asks what are opportunities and risks for local policy-making in this context? It looks at examples of how local policy-making processes and actors have attempted to address tensions and challenges, and the features of policy and institutional design which could enhance local policy-making.