治理理论中的政府作用研究:基于国外文献的分析

The Study of the Role of Government in Governance Theory

治理理论的核心是探讨公共部门改革中国家本质和作用的变化。该理论主张改变政府作为单一行动者、以层级制为主的运作模式,强调政府与私人部门和志愿部门形成伙伴关系,政府不再以强制性权力直接干预自组织网络。但对政府的具体职能,学术界有着多样化的理解。有的学者主张国家权力不参与或最低限度参与治理过程,有的学者则主张更为积极的政府参与,强调通过国家的独特优势弥补自组织失灵。治理理论还存在较为重要的缺陷,缺乏与已有知识谱系的关联,在基本概念和理论取向上缺少共识,缺乏经验研究支撑。本文认为,以具体政策领域的经验研究为基础,构建具有明确条件、可检验的理论命题,是丰富和发展治理理论的重要方向。

The core of governance theory is to explore the nature and functions of state in the reform of public sector. Gov ernance theory argues that the traditional model of government based on vertical hierarchy and coercive power has some difficulties and it is replaced by the horizontal network between government and social actors on the basis of negotiation and consensus. There are diverse opinions on the role of government, some stressing the minimal state, some focusing on the relative advantages of government. Governance theory is not built on the previous theories of state or solid empirical studies. Besides, scholars do not reach consensus on basic concepts and the way to build theories. Constructing conditional and testable propositions on the basis of empirical studies in specific policy areas will be the effective way to further governance theory.