Abstract:This paper aims at making a conceptual and theoretical contribution to understanding problem‐solving capacity in multi‐level contexts. To do so, I use the framework of structure, agency, process, and outcome to systematically discuss how the literatures of comparative federalism and multi‐level governance define and analyze problem‐solving. In discussing these literatures, I also examine how concepts such as integration, functional differentiation, self‐rule, and shared‐rule have important implications for pro… Show more
“…This concept draws upon studies of intergovernmental relations in Canada, particularly work on the factors influencing collaboration (Cameron and Simeon, 2002; Skogstad and Bakvis, 2012). It also builds upon insights from public policy and multilevel governance research (see, for example, Maggetti and Trein, 2019; Irepoglu Carreras, 2019; Paquet, 2017). Instead of taking federal arrangements as a starting point, this approach focusses on the nature and characteristics of a policy problem to analyze how governance systems and actors adapt.…”
Federations increasingly face complex policy challenges, from managing climate change to mass migration. COVID-19 is a prime example of this emerging type of problem. This research note introduces the concept of complex intergovernmental problems (CIPs) to better understand these types of challenges.
“…This concept draws upon studies of intergovernmental relations in Canada, particularly work on the factors influencing collaboration (Cameron and Simeon, 2002; Skogstad and Bakvis, 2012). It also builds upon insights from public policy and multilevel governance research (see, for example, Maggetti and Trein, 2019; Irepoglu Carreras, 2019; Paquet, 2017). Instead of taking federal arrangements as a starting point, this approach focusses on the nature and characteristics of a policy problem to analyze how governance systems and actors adapt.…”
Federations increasingly face complex policy challenges, from managing climate change to mass migration. COVID-19 is a prime example of this emerging type of problem. This research note introduces the concept of complex intergovernmental problems (CIPs) to better understand these types of challenges.
“…However, there is in fact a broad variety of very different understandings of problem‐solving in the literature. The contribution by Irepoglu Carreras () shows how the different understandings of problem‐solving are reflected in different strands of the MLG literature. We adopt the encompassing definition developed by Maggetti and Trein (: 3), according to which problem‐solving implies that the policy‐makers and other decision makers in charge of defining, deciding, implementing, and evaluating policies:(a) Make policies in the sense of “puzzling” (on society's behalf) as opposed to “powering” (Heclo, ); So as to (b) deal with problems that are perceived important for society by organized groups and/or by policymakers themselves (Cohen, March & Olsen, ); Through (c) the cooperative production of a policy output that is expected to be collectively beneficial in making a contribution to solve the policy problem at stake.…”
Section: Notions Of Problem‐solving and Their Link With Policy Problemsmentioning
The study of multilevel governance (MLG) is fundamentally concerned with the capacity of MLG to effectively deal with policy problems. However, the notion of problem‐solving itself remains vague. Moreover, MLG research prioritizes questions of structure and agency, while neglecting the role and nature of policy problems themselves. This symposium defines problem‐solving in both procedural and operational terms. The introduction reviews relevant attributes of policy problems and existing assumptions about their influence on problem‐solving. By adding uncertainty, tractability, and three political attributes (power, conflict, salience), we propose an extended list of attributes of policy problems that matter for problem‐solving, and link them to different notions of procedural and operational problem‐solving in MLG. The contributions address the challenges facing problem‐solving in the European Union, adopting a particular focus on the characteristics of policy problems. Empirical cases include the European Semester, Brexit, the governance of the swine flu pandemic, and climate change.
“…This is particularly the case when there are subjective individual 'losers' of the reform who need respect, recognition and empathy rather than scientific facts. Scientific facts might work better in less subjective policy sectors like climate change policy (Irepoglu Carreras, 2019).…”
Despite different institutional and situational conditions, the recent French labor market reforms bear a strong resemblance to the labor market reforms in Germany in the early 2000s. Governments at both points in time turned away from the conservative welfare state model and failed to appropriately legitimize their reforms toward the public as well as their originally partly social-democratic electorate. Given the diverging conditions which are expected to lead to different strategies of legitimization, this contribution inquires after the narrative stories with which the corresponding acting government framed its reforms publicly. Surprisingly, despite the large differences that the two governments faced, the analysis shows that the respective narratives stories were not only similar but can be assigned to certain programmatic groups that used the narratives to push their own policy program and place themselves in power positions. In doing so, the contribution establishes a yet missing link between the recently established Programmatic Action Framework (PAF) and the concept of narrative stories and discourse in policy analysis, thereby adding to both research strands. This link lies in the observation that programmatic groups use narratives to strengthen in-group identification and thus improve their chances of success, which makes dominant narratives an important indicator of programmatic groups. However, when legitimizing reformseven if these are transferred from other country experiencesit is imperatively important to embed the strategies of legitimization in the national context.
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