GOVERNANCE, POLICY NETWORKS- INFORMÁLIS POLITIKAI SZEREPLŐK A DÖNTÉSHOZATALBAN
GOVERNANCE, POLICY NETWORKS – INFORMAL POLITICAL ACTORS IN DECISION MAKING

Summary/Abstract: The term ”governance” refers to an arrangement in which decisions are made by so-called policy networks. Though the government is typically one of the policy network members, it generally is not in a hierarchical position. Government cannot rule over the behaviour of other network participants. Network members are rather in an interdependent position, mutually relying on each others’ resources, and making decision via a communicative effort. The paper aims at determining the meaning of ”governance” and ”policy network” based on an extensive literature review. First a historical overview is provided presenting major works and schools of governance theory. The second part of the paper addresses crucial issues regarding governance, such as the potential efficiency improvement (or loss) in policy making, the relationship between democracy and governance, or the changing role of government in the new environment inhibited by policy networks.

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