ABSTRACT

Th e predominance of uncertainty and complexity stipulated by globalization makes it diffi cult to predict the costs and benefi ts of policy choices, defi ne regulatory payoff s and maintain interested coalitions. Because of the complex and interdependent nature of so-called “wicked problems” (hard to defi ne 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). Th ese 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).