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A Study On The Theory Of Policy Networks In Western Academia

Posted on:2014-01-13Degree:DoctorType:Dissertation
Country:ChinaCandidate:M LiFull Text:PDF
GTID:1226330401454010Subject:Administrative Management
Abstract/Summary:PDF Full Text Request
The theory of policy networks has emerged since the late1970s in the West and thus been applied significantly to analyzing policies. It holds that the traditional reliance on government to make and implement policies does not work well any more when it has to cope with the complexity of public issues, that policy process appears in networks composed of all kinds of interdependent actors, that the key to good governance is effective network governance.This paper studies on evolution of the theory in western academia, from the perspective of Thomas Khun’s scientific revolutions. Research objective is to dig its value through relatively complete, systematic and timely reflections, and to demonstrate its appropriatenss as a paradigm in policy sciences.For that, this paper first examines paradigm development and shift in policy sciences, and then investigates ideas and characteristics of the theory in three continuous stages. Furthermore, changes in research and theory development are analyzed, followed by a summary of essential theoretical thoughts and aruguments whether the theory is qualified to be a candidate paradigm in policy sciences.The paper concludes that the theory of policy networks is appropriate to be a candidate in current paradigms competition. The theory represents a move of research interest and focus back to the original idea of "democratic policy sciences" of Lasswell, by expanding its views of policy and absorbing thoughts from other disciplines. It serves as a theory as well as a policy tool that can help policy making and implementation at the micro and messo levels.
Keywords/Search Tags:Policy Sciences, Policy Networks, Scientific Revolutions, Paradigm, Governance
PDF Full Text Request
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