Governance in Theory and

Practice
Online Course Manual

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 1. Introduction to the Course
Governance is a complex concept which is often used but not always correctly
understood. It is an elusive notion, defined and measured in various ways. Sometimes,
the idea of governance is differently placed in practice or wrongly conceptualized
theoretically. This course will guide participants through key theoretical debates
surrounding the concept of governance while at the same time presenting a range of
empirical examples to illustrate how governance works in practice.

The course is organized as an introductory exploration to the wider multidisciplinary

study of governance and offers diverse literature and methodology approaches to
investigation. The target group of this course is oriented but not limited to students,
policy practitioners, NGOs staff, civil and international servants. Participants are not
required to have extensive knowledge of governance or political concepts before
enrolling in this course.

The goal of this course is to offer students an introduction to governance,

policymaking, the central actors in the governance process, and the overall arena in
which governance policies are being planned and carried out.

The learning process will feature a series of online lectures, tutorial supervision, online
movie screenings, group discussions and assignments. The design of the course is
structured as such as to allow mobility in the work and schedule for every participant.

2. Overview
The course is organized along 4 modules stretched across 4 weeks. The first is an
introduction to the key concepts of governance. It is followed by a conceptualization of
governance as public administration. After that, the context of governance,
globalization and international politics are introduced. Within the final week, the fourth
module presents the concept of “good governance”, and with a focus on governance
and international organizations closes the thematic structure of this course.

1. Key Concepts
1. Governance, institutionalism, legitimacy, democratic governance,
democracy, accountability
2. Traditional public administration, new public management, central
government, local government, public-private partnerships,
transparency
3. Global governance, globalization, supranational cooperation, EU
governance

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 4. Good government, good governance, economic development, weak
states, effective governance, international organizations, accountability,
transparency, responsiveness

2. Learning Goals

1. Grasp the multidisciplinary nature of the concept of governance.

2. Understand the different approaches and critiques in the academic discourse on the
main concepts of governance.
3. Grasp the debate on bureaucracy and public administration.
4. Understand the technical and political complexity of public networks.
5. Understand concrete issues and dilemmas related to global governance.
6. Comprehend the transformation of governance in a globalized world.
7. Grasp the role of cooperation in international settings.
8. Explain the main characteristics of “good governance.”
9. Be able to distinguish between “good governance” and “bad governance.”
10. Understand the role of state in promoting good governance measures.
11. Understand the role of international organizations in relation to good governance.
12. Grasp the challenges facing international organizations in disseminating good
governance.
13. Place international organizations as actors in the international arena.

3. Learning Materials and Activities

The course will feature the following learning materials and activities:

1. Online lectures
The learning goals of every module will be summarized in a 30 min. video lecture
which will be available online. The online lectures intend to give a short overview of
the intended learning goals and shortly summarize the main concepts to be covered by
the readings. These lectures however are not intended to replace the readings. Only
with the proper coverage of the key readings for that module, students will be able to
fully comprehend the learning objectives of the topic.

2. Online movie screening

Sometimes, one minute of visual screening can give participants more information and
a stronger message than 1 day of readings. Therefore, in 3 modules of this course, there
will be movie presentations, pertaining to the topic discussed in those weeks. The
movies are made available online and can be watched by participants in front of their
own computer. We strongly suggest watching the documentary after you had read the
suggested literature of the respective module. However, only one movie, ‘The
Corporation’ is obligatory, while the remaining two, ‘Fog of War’ and ‘Darwin’s
Nightmare’ are optional.

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3. Online tutorial sessions
Although the student is expected to watch the video lectures, movies, and read the
assigned articles on their own, there is also a ‘group’ aspect of this course. Namely,
once a week, throughout the duration of the course (thus, 4 times in total) there will be
a time allocated by the tutor, at which all participants in this course can be part of a
group discussion via Skype. Students are expected to participate in at least 3 out of the
4 group discussions. An article that will be discussed during the session, related to the
Module of that week, will be sent to all students 2 days prior to the discussion. The role
of the tutor will be that of a moderator, and the students are expected to lead the
conversation. The time for the discussion each week will be posted on the Discussion
Board each Monday.

4. Discussion forum
A tutor will be available throughout the period of the course to directly interact with
the students online. The aim of the tutor-student interaction is to respond to specific
questions arising from readings or posted lectures. The tutor will respond to any
question posted on the discussion forum within 48 hours. The discussion will be
carried on between student and tutor only.

5. Readings
There will be one main reader, the book of Anne Mette Kjaer (2004), “Governance”,
Cambridge, Polity Press. For those in Maastricht, this book is available in the MGSoG
library. Due to copyright restrictions, we are not able to scan and upload a copy of this
book in our e-learning environment.

Apart from the main reader, there will be several fundamental readings for each
module. The reading material is composed of both theoretical and conceptual articles.
The fundamental readings composed from journal articles will be placed on our e-
learning platform and you can download and print them from there.

At the request of the students, several optional readings can also be made available.

4. Grading Procedure

The grading for this course will be based on four weekly assignments and a short oral exam.
Every Thursday evening the assignment for the week will be posted on CANVAS for the
students. Except for the last assignment, all assignments are to be submitted the following
Monday. All assignments are to be submitted via CANVAS. The final assignment will be
given on the final Tuesday of the course and will be due on the last day of the course. The
assignments will altogether be worth 80% of the final grade. The remaining 20% will be from
the oral exam. For a student to pass this course they need to obtain a grade of at least 5.5 (on a
scale from 1-10).
The schedule is the following:
Assignment 1:
deadline: Monday, 28 September 2020

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Assignment 2:
deadline: Monday, 5 October 2020
Assignment 3:
deadline: Monday, 12 October 2020
Final Assignment:
deadline: Sunday, 18 October 2020
Oral exam: time to be agreed upon between student and tutor on Thursday, 15 October, or
Friday, 16 October 2020.

Re-sit: There will be a resit option for each assignment, only in case of failing to submit the
assignment or for a grade below 5.5. Deadline for resits’ submission will be due on 23 October
2020.

5. Timeline

Module 1: Defining Governance: Key Concepts (Week 1)

Description
The module provides students with an introduction to essential concepts in the
understanding and analysis of governance. Governance is a complex occurrence in a
very diverse and unpredictable political reality. Especially in a globalized world, one
must acknowledge the need for flexibility in governance schemes, in order to govern
the unpredictable.

In this module we will assess common elements between different interpretations that
lead to an encompassing definition of governance. We will also discuss how the
concept was born and in which context (understand governance as something different
from government). The discussion in the literature will also show how governance
differs from institutions, policies and organizations.

After the readings of the module, participants are able to:

Grasp the multidisciplinary nature of the concept of governance.
Understand the different approaches and critiques in the academic discourse on the
main concepts of governance.

Key Concepts
Governance, institutionalism, legitimacy, democratic governance, democracy,
accountability.

Key readings:

1. Anne Mette Kjaer (2004), Governance (Key Concepts), Polity Press.

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 (Chapter 1 - introduction)
2. van Kersbergen, C. J., & van Waarden, F. (2004). 'Governance' as a bridge
between disciplines: cross-disciplinary inspiration regarding shifts in
governance and problems of governability, accountability and
legitimacy. European Journal of Political Research, 43(2), 143-171.
3. Rhodes, R.A.W. (1996). The New Governance: Governing without government.
Political Studies Vol. 44 (pp. 652-667).
4. Rhodes, R.A.W. (2007). Understanding Governance: Ten Years On.
Organization Studies Vol. 28, No. 8 (pp. 1243 – 1264).

Recommended readings:

Bevir, M. (2009). Decentring Policy Networks: A Theoretical

Agenda. Public Administration, 87(1), 3-14.

Module 2: Governance as Public Administration (Week 2)

Description
This module focuses on the concept of governance in the field of public administration.
It offers a platform for discussing the difference between the traditional model of
public administration and the new public management reforms. We encourage the
discussion on strengths and weaknesses of each of these.

In this module we will reflect on the functioning and performance of public networks
and civil society organizations when setting the agenda and monitoring governmental
policies, and which dilemmas arise for national politicians in charge of the state.

After completion of this module, participants are able to:

Grasp the debate on bureaucracy and public administration.
Understand the technical and political complexity of public networks

Key Concepts:
Traditional public administration, new public management, central government, local
government, public-private partnerships, transparency

Key readings:
1. Anne Mette Kjaer (2004), Governance (Key Concepts), Polity Press.
(Chapter 2)
2. Cepiku, D. (2013), "Unraveling the Concept of Public Governance: A
Literature Review of Different Traditions", Gnan, L., Hinna,
A.and Monteduro, F. (Ed.) Conceptualizing and Researching Governance
in Public and Non-Profit Organizations (Studies in Public and Non-Profit
Governance, Vol. 1), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Bingley, pp. 3-32.
3. Sahlin-Andersson, K. (2000). National, International and Transnational
Constructions of New Public Management, Stockholm Center for
Organizational Research: Rapportserie 2000 (4)
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 4. Moore, M. (2004). Revenues, State Formation and the Quality of
Governance in Developing Countries. International Political Science
Review Vol. 25, No. 3 (pp. 297-319).

Recommended readings:
Peters, G and Pierre J. (1998). Governance Without Government?
Rethinking Public Administration. Journal of Public Administration
Research and Theory. Vol. 8, No. 2 (Apr., 1998), pp. 223-243.

Movie Screening
Online movie: “The Fog of War” (http://www.moviesfoundonline.com/
fog_of_war.php)
In this documentary, Robert McNamara presents his experience in the US
administration during a “hot” period of the cold war – the Cuban crisis and the
Vietnam War. Robert McNamara can be regarded as a highly positioned public servant
who had experienced the challenges of governing in a modern structure of public
administration.

Once watching the documentary, please pay a distinct attention on how decisions are
taken. Some practical aspects of decision-making posted in the movie are not captured
by the readings on governance.

Module 3: Governance, Globalization, and International Politics (Week 3)

Description
The module provides students with an introduction to essential concepts of
Governance in the study of international relations. The module offers guidelines to
discuss models of cooperation that transcend national borders and their implications
for states in a globalized world.

Drawing from the key readings and the optional articles, this module encourages
discussion on the challenges that arise with the change in state authority to foster
democracy and governance in a globalized world.

After the readings and discussion of the module, participants are able to:
Understand concrete issues and dilemmas related to global governance.
Comprehend the transformation of governance in a globalized world.
Grasp the role of cooperation in international settings.

Key Concepts
Global governance, globalization, supranational cooperation, EU governance

Key readings:
1. Anne Mette Kjaer (2004), Governance (Key Concepts), Polity Press.
(Chapter 3, Chapter 4)
2. Sassen, S. (2003) States and Citizens in Global Governance. Indiana Journal
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 of Global Legal Studies Vol 10, No. 5, Issue 1.
3. Karolina Borońska-Hryniewiecka (2020): National parliaments as ‘multi-
arena players’ in the European Union? Insights into Poland and France,
Journal of European Integration.
4. Yannis Papadopoulos (2010) Accountability and Multi-level Governance:
More Accountability, Less Democracy?, West European Politics, 33:5,
1030-1049

Recommended readings:

Katrin Auel & Christine Neuhold (2017) Multi-arena players in the

making? Conceptualizing the role of national parliaments since the
Lisbon Treaty, Journal of European Public Policy, 24:10, 1547-1561

Movie Screening
Online Movie: “The Corporation” (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?
p=FA50FBC214A6CE87)

In a globalized world, corporations are taking the most advantage in building their
influence and business politics. The documentary of this module will present you the
role corporations play in the public, private and international sphere. You can focus
your attention on the pros and cons of the corporations’ influence in nowadays
institutional framework.

Module 4: Good Governance (Week 4)

Description
What is “good governance” and how it differs from the classical notion of
“governance”? Good governance is a set of values which characterize a successful
form of policy making and policy implementation.

This module focuses on the basics of the good governance debate by discussing
approaches to what falls within good governance and how do we prioritize its elements
(i.e. transparency vs. development). The key readings provide sufficient material for
conceptualizing how the concept of good governance is understood in practice. The
students are encouraged to see the practice of good governance in relation to state,
government, and economic development.

In addition, Chapter 7 of Kjaer, and the two Woods articles will focus on governance as
a challenging matter for international organizations. While reading, please focus your
attention on the challenges and difficulties international organizations face in dealing
with (good) governance issues.

After the readings and discussion of the module, participants are able to:
Explain the main characteristics of “good governance.”
Be able to distinguish between “good governance” and “bad governance.”

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Understand the role of state in promoting good governance measures
Understand the role of international organizations in relation to good governance
Grasp the challenges facing international organization in disseminating good
governance.
Place international organizations as actors in the international arena.

Key Concepts
Good government, good governance, economic development, weak states, effective
governance, international organizations, accountability, transparency, responsiveness

Key readings:
1. Anne Mette Kjaer (2004), Governance (Key Concepts), Polity Press. (Chapter 5, 7)
2. Sundaram, Jomo Kwame, and Anis Chowdhury. "Introduction: Governance and
development." Is Good Governance Good for Development?. Ed. Jomo Kwame
Sundaram and Anis Chowdhury. London: Bloomsbury Academic, 2012. (pp.1–
19). Available as eBook via e-library.
3. Grindle, M. S. (2007) “Good Enough Governance Revisited.” Development Policy
Review, Vol 25. No. 5 (pp. 553-574).
4. Andrews M. (2010) “Good Government Means Different Things in Different
Countries”. Governance Vol. 23, No. 1 (pp. 7–35).
5. Woods N. (2000), “The Challenge of Good Governance for the IMF and the World
Bank Themselves”, World Development Vol. 28.

Movie Screening
Online movie: “Darwin’s nightmare”
http://www.documentaryflick.com/darwins-nightmare-full-lenght-documentary-
movies/

Good governance brings prosperity and economic development to those countries

which succeed to implement it. The reality in poor countries with no effective
governance is totally different. “Darwin’s nightmare” is an excellent documentary
which reflects the reality of many governance related problems in the developing
countries.

6. Support Structure

This course is developed within the framework of Maastricht Graduate School of

Governance at Maastricht University. During the duration of the course, there will be
permanent tutoring and technical assistance. Please contact us in case assistance is
needed.

Academic Staff: Dr. Mindel van de Laar

[email protected]

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Tutor
Dr. Oxana Slobozhan Celbis
[email protected]
Christian Nota
[email protected]

IT support:
Dennis Katwal
[email protected]
Ágúst Axelsson
[email protected]

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