The Politics of Self-governance

Using the term 'governance imaginary' this book points to what a given society envisions to be the proper way of governing public affairs. Self-governance is the ability of citizens, firms, groups, associations and public institutions to govern themselves within frames set by public authorities. This volume examines the emergence, causes and consequences of the politics of self-governance both within relevant social science theorizing and in the everyday life production of public governance in various policy areas. It questions how self-governance materialized in different areas of public governance in different liberal democracies, the driving forces and the political effects of attempts to enhance the role of self-governance. Indispensable for those interested in new forms of public governance.