ABSTRACT
The predominance of uncertainty and complexity stipulated by globalization makes it difficult to predict the costs and benefits of policy choices, define regulatory payoffs and maintain interested coalitions. Because of the complex and interdependent nature of so-called “wicked problems” (hard to define and to solve interrelated multi-dimensional problems that require highly coordinated responses across several policy areas) governments are facing nowadays, traditional hierarchical and bureaucratic systems are unable to cope with informational demands of ambiguity, complexity and uncertainty (Halligan, Buick, and O'Flynn 2012, 79). These are also policy areas in which it is evident that states can no longer “govern alone” (Tollefson, Zito, and Gale 2012; Rittel and Webber 1973).
