Integrated Governance: A Complex Systems Approach

This presentation explores the use of complex systems theory to understand the challenges facing government and governance arrangements in recent decades. The presentation attempts to conclude about what has been learnt and offers an overview of what the resulting issues are for managing public services. The application of complex systems methodology to public policy and administration takes its roots from scientific studies, such as meteorology – where very precise weather forecasting beyond a few days is impossible. This is due to a high level of instability and dynamic feedback within the system. We can contrast this with highly predictable physical science system like the tides. Clearly many human systems are extremely difficult to predict, control and forecast – due to their unstable, dynamic elements. The public policy environment as a complex system is unpredictable, unstable and dynamic. This creates difficulties when implementing traditional control based top down management approaches.