New Public Governance as a Hybrid: A Critical Interpretation

The Element explores New Public Governance as a hybrid tool for management, governance, and reform, challenging the "linear substitution" hypothesis and discussing the challenges it poses. Exploring hybridity is critical for evaluating its potential as a shift in public administration and understanding governance trajectories and reform scenarios.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 70 pages
Publication date: 29 February 2024
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This Element delves into New Public Governance (NPG) as a prominent administrative narrative of our times, offering a critical interpretation of NPG as a hybrid tool for management, governance, and reform. It argues that NPG coexists with and is likely to gradually merge into New Public Management (NPM). Several arguments support the continuity and hybridization hypothesis, which posits that the transition from NPM to NPG occurred through the retention of key elements and a layering and sedimentation process. These arguments challenge the "linear substitution" hypothesis, accounting for NPM's persistence and dominance.

The Element develops a fresh interpretation of NPG and explores the challenges it presents. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of examining hybridity to evaluate the potential of NPG in terms of a shift in public administration and understanding governance trajectories and reform scenarios.

NPG is characterized by its emphasis on collaboration, participation, and transparency, as well as its recognition of the complex and interconnected nature of public problems. It seeks to address these challenges by promoting a more decentralized and flexible approach to public administration, which involves the involvement of multiple stakeholders and the use of innovative technologies and practices.

One of the key arguments in favor of the continuity and hybridization hypothesis is that NPG retains many of the key elements of NPM. For example, NPG emphasizes the importance of performance management, risk management, and strategic planning, which were central to NPM's approach to public administration. Additionally, NPG incorporates elements of public sector reform, such as the introduction of competition and market mechanisms, which were also prominent in NPM's agenda.

However, NPG also introduces new elements that differentiate it from NPM. For instance, NPG emphasizes the importance of social and environmental sustainability, which was not a primary focus of NPM. NPG also seeks to address the growing concerns about the legitimacy and accountability of public institutions, which were highlighted by the recent scandals and controversies surrounding public administration.

Another argument in favor of the continuity and hybridization hypothesis is that NPG is likely to evolve and adapt over time as it responds to changing political, social, and economic contexts. This evolution is likely to involve a layering and sedimentation process, where new ideas and practices are introduced and integrated into existing frameworks and practices. This process is similar to the way in which NPM evolved over time, as it responded to changing political, social, and economic conditions.

Despite the arguments in favor of the continuity and hybridization hypothesis, there are also challenges that NPG poses. One of the primary challenges is the potential for NPG to become overly bureaucratic and hierarchical, which can hinder the effectiveness and efficiency of public administration. Additionally, NPG may struggle to balance the demands of different stakeholders and may be vulnerable to political interference and corruption.

Another challenge is the potential for NPG to become overly focused on short-term goals and outcomes, which can neglect the long-term sustainability and resilience of public institutions. This can lead to a cycle of short-term fixes and quick-fix solutions, which can ultimately undermine the effectiveness and legitimacy of public administration.

To address these challenges, it is important for NPG to be implemented in a way that promotes collaboration, participation, and transparency. This can involve the involvement of multiple stakeholders and the use of innovative technologies and practices to promote greater accountability and transparency in public administration. Additionally, NPG should be implemented in a way that promotes long-term sustainability and resilience, which can involve investing in public infrastructure, education, and healthcare, as well as promoting social and economic equality.

In conclusion, New Public Governance (NPG) is a hybrid tool for management, governance, and reform that coexists with and is likely to gradually merge into New Public Management (NPM). NPG retains many of the key elements of NPM, such as performance management, risk management, and strategic planning, while also introducing new elements that differentiate it from NPM, such as social and environmental sustainability and the importance of legitimacy and accountability. NPG is likely to evolve and adapt over time as it responds to changing political, social, and economic contexts, and it is important for NPG to be implemented in a way that promotes collaboration, participation, and transparency to address the challenges it poses. Exploring hybridity is critical for evaluating the potential of NPG in terms of a shift in public administration and understanding governance trajectories and reform scenarios.

ISBN-13: 9781009418928