ABSTRACT
We have come to recognize the importance of emergence theory, of the relationship between designed structures and emergent ones, in reshaping our thoughts also on governance. We have begun to invent novel forms or civic engagement where government cooperates with, rather than serves, its citizens, moving from provider to enabler, much as it has learnt to do with the market. New forms of mutual engagement are emerging everywhere, based on participation and social entrepreneurship which is finding its way into the body politic of governance. Turnbull calls this ‘Network Governance’, an inside-out structure of social organizations and enterprises held together by well-connected and well-networked systems rather than command and control hierarchies or power elites analogous to organic systems and our earlier example of the slime mould.
The central question in the debate is: who governs the city? Is it a power elite in corporate boardrooms, or an executive-centred coalition in city hall, or warring sovereignties, or political machines, or public unions, or possibly even organized crime? Academic detectives have shown an almost insatiable appetite for finding new and seemingly better answers to this mystery. Nevertheless, two main positions exist: one is the power elite conception… the other is the pluralist conception. 13
