ABSTRACT

The main aim of this paper is to answer and discuss whether policy analysis isis still relevant in the age of complex governance networks. This paper also proposes an ideal typical definition of policy analysis, which is that a government can solve society’s problems based on the good advice provided by expert policy analysts and can measure the impacts of its policies. This paper argues that policy analysis and policymaking processes are more complex than the ideal type suggested by policy analysis and that governance is a better term, than policy, to capture this complexity and better reflect the realities of our times. To make the case for these arguments, this article first traces the history of policy analysis then cites the observations of governance: that in today’s world governments are not unified actors that can make cohesive decisions, let alone their decisions being implemented as intended, and that governmental actors do not necessarily represent the ‘public interest’ or the collective will of the society. This paper further argues that the primary role of governmental actors should be to enhance the capacities of governmental and non-governmental actors to self-organize in order to generate desired outcomes.