Confusion about governance abounds. We lack appreciation of how different traditions of thought in the social sciences contribute to our understanding. Governance Theory and Practice tackles these issues head on, using a cross-disciplinary approach from political science, public administration, international relations, development studies, sociology and economics. Looking at collective decision making in societal systems or organisations, the book provides guidance on how power should be distributed, who should be involved in a decision, and how policy should be enforced.

The growing interest in governance is precisely because established institutional forms of governance appear under challenge and new forms appear to be emerging. This reality is compelling new ways of thinking about collective decision-making at a range of levels. This book explores three critical areas of practice: environmental, corporate and participatory governance. Knowledge of these extensive intellectual resources will enrich academic debate and enable those interested in reforming governance to move towards a wider vision.