Introduction to Configuration Approach: A Process Theory for Societal Steering

A major goal of discussions on societal steering within the field of Public Administration is to diminish steering pretentions. Unrealistic expectations concerning the possibilities for societal steering dissipate in these discussions. The monocentric perspective on steering is corrected by pointing out that the government is not the only, nor the central steering authority (Van Vught, 1986). Government operates in a policy arena of mutually dependent actors who are trying to realize their own private goals and who each have their own means of influencing other actors (Ringeling and Hufen, 1990). This perspective on steering, defined as the polycentric perspective, helps to explain the disappointing results of steering by government. The possibilities for making recommendations regarding the improvement of steering results based on research conducted from a polycentric perspective are however limited. Often one has to confine oneself to the recommendation to lower expectations concerning steering results. At times, researchers even resort to using the monocentric perspective when formulating recommendations.