Understanding Governance

POLI70271 Understanding Governance 15 Semester 1 Postgraduate Taught Level 7 David Richards Unit coordinator Andrew Westwood Unit coordinator 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 7.5 Who is this course for?This course is a core module for the MA in Governance and Public Policy and is available as an option across some other Masters level programmes (Democracy and Elections, Politics, European Politics and Policy). There are no pre-requisites for this course. Governance has emerged as a key concept in political science and public policy analysis and points to the non-hierarchical and fluid nature of governing arrangements.  This course begins by examining the meaning and controversies associated with the idea of governance and how the idea of governance sets up a set of analytical, empirical and normative questions around how Governments and other political actors make and are accountable for policy actions.   Subsequent weeks examine in more detail different ‘modes of governance’ and the presentations at the end of the course will invite groups to identify and present a suitable policy example to illustrate policymaking in a contemporary governance context.NB Each week I will suggest some specific reading, listening or viewing to supplement the overall reading list for the module. Watch out for these via weekly course announcements from Blackboard.Week 1 - Introductory meeting - overview of module, course aims and course organisation (including assignments)Week 2 - Theories of Government including hierarchy, ‘command and control’, markets and neo-liberalism, policy windows and policy actors – with Covid-19 as an example.Week 3 - Theories and practice of policy making: drivers and ingredients of policy, ‘bricolage’, time and timing. The place and role of evidence. Ministerial memoirs and reflections. Guest speaker tbcWeek 4  - the ‘political spectacle:’ policymaking and the role of the media. The cast of characters or 'policy actors' (ministers, civil servants, special advisers etc) including media depiction of policymaking eg ‘the Thick of It, ‘Yes Minister’, ‘House of Cards’.Week 5 - the ‘Too Difficult Box?’ (see Charles Clarke) what does policy making ignore or do badly? The role of long-term reviews, making long term decisions and achieving cross party consensus (See climate change, social care, transport infrastructure)Week 6 - Centralisation vs Devolution – how centralised is our system of Government and Governance? What impact is devolution – especially to city regions and mayors including Greater Manchester – now having?Week 7 - International policymaking – OECD, IMF, EU – what has been the impact of international organisations on policymaking – in the UK and amongst other national governments? Plus presentation discussions/planningWeek 8 - a Minister or Civil Servant speaks? Guest speaker slot... Plus student presentationsWeek 9 - student presentations and essay planningWeek 10  - Summary of Module, student presentations and essay planning The course aims to introduce you to theories, concepts and practice associated with contemporary governance and policy making.  It will explore the meaning of governance and the changing nature of the state and drawing on theories and practice of policymaking, seek to understand how policy is made and how it is effective or ineffective. The course will provide you with the opportunity to develop skills in applying theoretical concepts and understanding to practical policy environments and vice versa, in the assembly and presentation of materials and in small group and written work By the end of this course unit and demonstrated by means of written assessed work and oral presentations you will -<ul> <li>have a greater awareness of the concept of governance and the key concerns and ingredients of policy making;</li> <li>utilise theories, models and practice associated with contemporary public policy making;</li> <li>relate these theories and concepts to actual policymaking examples and live political issues; </li></ul>And be better able to:<ul> <li>utilise theories, models and practice associated with contemporary public policy making;</li> <li>relate these theories and models to real political and policymaking areas;</li> <li>use primary materials;</li> <li>record key points of discussion;</li> <li>précis and present arguments and policy ideas in written materials.</li></ul> The course is organised into weekly one hour lectures and one hour seminars.   There are ten sessions (including the introductory session).  There is no reading week and part of the session in week 7 will be used to organize presentations in weeks 8, 9 and 10 and offer consultations on assessed work.Attendance at seminars is compulsory.  If you know in advance that circumstances beyond your control will prevent you from attending a seminar, you should contact me as soon as possible to explain your absence.It is essential that you read in advance of course meetings, so that you are able to take a full part in class discussions.  This is facilitated by the workshop approach in which everyone does a manageable amount of reading for each seminar and anyone may be called upon to introduce the discussion on the basis of the reading they have done. The details of the workshop approach and the system of assessment are given below. 0 Other 40% 2 Written assignment (inc essay) 60% Course assessment will be broken down as follows:<ul> <li>60% of the final course mark will derive from a 2,400 word written assessment.  </li> <li>40% The final weeks will involve individual student presentations in weeks 8, 9 and 10.</li></ul> Y <h3>Some Key Texts and Guidance on Reading</h3>The following books will be relevant for several sessions of the course and provides an excellent overview of contemporary governance debates as well as a strong analytical framework for considering these debates.  An electronic copy is available through the University Library (see link to lists).<ul> <li>Bell and Hindmoor (2009) Rethinking Governance, Cambridge</li> <li>Dorey P, ‘Policy Making in Britain’, Sage, 2014</li> <li>Richards, D and Smith, M, J. 2001.  Governance and Public Policy in the UK, Oxford, Oxford University Press.</li></ul>On public policy<ul> <li>Ball S, The Education Debate, Policy Press, 2008</li> <li>Collier P, ‘The Future of Capitalism: Facing the New Anxieties’, Penguin 2019</li> <li>Goodhart D, ‘The Road to Somewhere: the Populist Revolt and the Future of Politics’, Hurst, 2017</li> <li>Fukuyama F, ‘Identity: The Demand for Dignity and the Politics of Resentment, Picador, 2018</li> <li>Judt T, ‘Ill Fares the Land: A Treatise On Our Present Discontents’ Penguin, 2011</li> <li>King A and Crewe I, ‘The Blunders of Our Governments’, Oneworld, 2013</li> <li>Kingdon J, 'Agendas, Alternatives and Public Policies', 1984</li> <li>Newman, J. ‘Beyond the New Public Management? modernising public services, in: J. Clarke et al. (Eds.), New Managerialism, New Welfare? (Sage and Open University Press) 2000</li> <li>Runciman D, ‘Politics’, Profile, 2014</li> <li>Seldon A and Lodge G, ‘Brown at 10’ Biteback, 2010 </li> <li>Seldon A and Snowdon P, ‘Cameron at 10: The Verdict’ Biteback, 2016</li> <li>Seldon A, ‘May at 10’ Biteback, 2019</li> <li>Shipman T, ‘All Out War: the Full Story of Brexit’ William Collins, 2017</li> <li>Yong, B and Hazell R, ‘Special Advisers. Who They Are, What They Do and Why They Matter?’, Hart, 2014</li></ul>Political memoirs:<ul> <li>Cameron D, ‘For the Record’, William Collins, 2019</li> <li>Campbell A ‘The Blair Years’ Arrow 2008</li> <li>Mandelson P ‘The Third Man – Life at the Heart of New Labour’, Harper Collins, 2010</li> <li>McBride D, ‘Power Trip: A Decade of Policy, Plots and Spin’, Biteback, 2013</li> <li>Mullin C, ‘View from the Foothills’ Profile 2009 & ‘Decline and Fall’, Profile, 2011</li> <li>‘Ministers Reflect’ Institute for Government, various.</li></ul>In addition read political and media commentary when you are able – broadsheets, tabloids, blogs – as well as pamphlets, think tank reports and contemporary debates discussed in parliament.<ul> <li>Podcasts – ‘BBC Newcast’, ‘Times Red Box’, ‘Institute for Government: Inside Briefing’, ‘Talking Politics’ and ‘Talking Politics: History of Ideas’</li> <li>Columnists – Rachel Sylvester, Martin Wolf, Phil Collins, Paul Johnson and many more!</li> <li>Think Tanks – Institute for Government, IFS, NIESR, Resolution Foundation, Policy Exchange, IPPR and IPPR North, Centre for Cities, Centre for Towns, CLES</li></ul> Seminars 20 0 130