What is ‘Complex Government’ and what can we do about it?

‘Complex government’ relates to many factors:

• the size and multi-level nature of government
• the proliferation of rules, regulations and public bodies
• a crowded arena with blurry boundaries between policymakers and the actors who influence them; and
• general uncertainty when people interact in unpredictable ways within a changeable policy environment.

Complex government is difficult to understand, control, influence and hold to account.

This brief article considers it from various perspectives: scholars trying to conceptualise it; policymakers trying to control or adapt to it; and, scientists, interest groups and individuals trying to influence it.

Cairney Complex Government 14.5.14 (submitted to a special issue – ‘Complex Government’ – in Public Money and Management)

See also: Key policy theories and concepts in 1000 words.