Debate on Governance in Africa: An Emerging Political Economy Paradigm

Abstract

Governance has multiple meanings and uses in political science. In its broadest sense, governance refers to rule-making or steering. Questions are raised about how the state steers society and economy and what the outcomes of these processes are (Pierre 2000). Peters (2000) calls this perception the “old governance” view. But governance may also refer to a particular form of governing: relying less on state authority and more on negotiation through perceived networks (Kjær 2004; Peters 2000; Rhodes 1996). Peters (2000) calls this the “new governance” view. Under this second usage of the term, questions are raised about, e.g., the role of networks; about self-governance; and about the formal and informal rules of public–private interactions.