Does Metagovernance Matter? The Patterns and Effects of Local Politicians’ Participation in Local State-Society Relations

Abstract

In contemporary politics at the local level, traditional government is often complemented by network governance. Within this compound system, a particular function is envisaged for local elected politicians as a linchpin or democratic anchor of governance networks through the metagovernor role. As metagovernor, politicians steer the network proceedings by exercising several activities (e.g., facilitating cooperation, building trust, protecting the common interest, maintaining a broad agenda, ensuring self-assessment). This chapter examines the metagovernor role of local politicians in networks between the local state and society in Europe. Confining the metagovernance concept to the stricter variant of hands-on participation, the chapter answers three basic questions: (a) To what extent do politicians assume the role of hands-on metagovernor who participates in network deliberations? (b) How can we explain variation therein? (c) What are the effects of metagovernance on network performance?