Perspectieven op publieke vraagstukken (USG5060) samenvatting alle artikelen
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Course
Perspectieven op publieke vraagstukken (USG5060)
Institution
Universiteit Utrecht (UU)
Artikel 1: Weaknesses of wickedness: a critical perspective on wickedness theory (Head & Alford, 2015)
Artikel 2: Wicked Problems: Implications for Public Policy and Management (Noordegraaf et al., 2019)
Artikel 3: Core Concepts and Key Ideas for Understanding Public Sector Organizational Network...
Perspectieven op publieke
vraagstukken artikelen
Artikel 1: Weaknesses of wickedness: a critical
perspective on wickedness theory (Head & Alford, 2015)
the authors discuss the concept of "wickedness theory" in the context of understanding complex
societal issues such as terrorism and forced migration of refugees. They explore how this theory,
rooted in the work of Rittel and Webber (1973), has been extended and refined over time by various
scholars in public administration and governance.
The authors highlight the key characteristics of wicked issues or problems, which include being
unstructured, interconnected across various policy domains and government levels, and involving
scientific uncertainty. They emphasize the importance of acknowledging value disagreements,
cognitive uncertainty, and institutional complexity among stakeholders dealing with these issues.
Additionally, the text critiques three fundamental aspects of wickedness theory:
1. Ignoring people's experiences and practices: The authors argue that wickedness theory often
overlooks the micro-level experiences of individuals dealing with complex issues. It fails to
consider how people within organizations experience and navigate these challenges on a
daily basis.
2. Overvaluing trust and collaboration: While emphasizing the importance of trust and learning
in addressing wicked problems, the theory may overly romanticize these concepts. It does
not account for situations where building trust and collaboration may not be feasible due to
inherent complexities and conflicting interests.
3. Unclear managerial implications: The text points out that wickedness theory lacks clarity in
terms of guiding managerial and professional actions. It does not sufficiently address how
managers and professionals should navigate and address wicked issues practically.
The authors illustrate these criticisms through the study of terrorism and forced migration. They
argue that while wickedness theory offers a valuable conceptual framework, it sometimes falls short
in providing practical insights for managing these complex issues.
,Limits of Collaboration and Trust:
- Over-Romanticized View: The text warns against romanticizing collaboration and trust in
addressing radicalization or forced migration. It highlights risks associated with excessive trust
and collaboration, which can potentially worsen the problem.
- Conflicting Interests: For instance, collaboration between health professionals and security
services to detect potentially dangerous individuals challenges patient confidentiality. This
close cooperation might infringe on ethical boundaries and compromise professional roles.
Practical Needs of Management and Professionals:
- Challenges in Decision-Making: The text emphasizes that the theory of wickedness does not
sufficiently address practical questions faced by professionals dealing with these complex
issues. Managers and frontline workers seek guidance on resource allocation, training, and
addressing emerging threats.
- Lack of Practical Insight: It notes that wickedness theory doesn’t offer much guidance on
training frontline workers or managing limited resources effectively.
Understanding Forced Migration as a Wicked Issue:
- Complexity of Forced Migration: Forced migration is depicted as a multifaceted issue
involving humanitarian, geopolitical, security, financial, and political dimensions, with
conflicting values and uncertainties about the best solution.
- Impact on Individuals: The text provides insights into the experiences of asylum seekers
within reception centers, highlighting their coping strategies and the challenges faced by
professionals managing these centers.
, Situated Wickedness:
- Street-Level Perspective: This perspective emphasizes that people directly involved in
addressing these issues often experience them differently from the broader public or
policymakers. They deal with daily challenges and ambiguities without having a
comprehensive understanding of the larger context.
- Need for Local Solutions: Local experiments and initiatives may provide pragmatic solutions
to wicked problems, as seen in examples where local authorities and organizations devised
innovative approaches to address forced migration.
Revising Wickedness Theory:
- Call for Enriched Theory: The text advocates for enriching wickedness theory by focusing
more on the practical, situational, and human aspects of addressing complex societal issues.
It suggests a need for theory grounded in people's experiences and practices rather than just
high-level analyses.
Artikel 2: Wicked Problems: Implications for Public Policy
and Management (Noordegraaf et al., 2019)
This passage discusses the emergence of the concept of "wicked problems" in policy analysis during
the 1970s and 1980s. It critiques the traditional rational-technical approaches to decision-making,
planning, and implementation, highlighting that such approaches fail to address complex societal
problems effectively. The term "wicked problems" refers to issues that are interconnected, resistant
to clear definition, and don't have straightforward solutions.
The text identifies three key critiques against traditional approaches:
Systems Theory Perspective: Acknowledges that societal problems are interconnected and part of a
larger system, labeling them as a "mess." It suggests that solving individual components of the
problem may exacerbate the overall situation.
Value Perspectives: Argues that major social issues are rooted in value perspectives rather than solely
in the lack of information. It emphasizes the importance of professional expertise and experiential
knowledge in resolving complex problems.
Critique of Rational Planning: Challenges the traditional top-down approach of solving problems
through comprehensive planning. It emphasizes that modern societal issues are inherently different
and resistant to clear definition and agreed-upon solutions.
The text also outlines characteristics of wicked problems according to Rittel and Webber, providing a
list of ten primary characteristics. It explores the challenges posed by these wicked problems in
contemporary governance and policy-making, especially in terms of the expanding role of
government and the difficulties in finding comprehensive solutions.
Additionally, it discusses the shortcomings of traditional public management approaches in dealing
with wicked problems. It critiques hierarchical bureaucratic structures and highlights how new public
management (NPM) practices, focused on managerialism and contractualism, were also unsuitable
for addressing such complex issues.
The conclusion emphasizes the need for a more adaptive and flexible approach in governance,
acknowledging the limitations of conventional structures and systems in addressing wicked problems.
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