Brotherhood Comment August 2004

ISSN 1320 8632A REGULAR UPDATE FROM SOCIAL ACTION AND RESEARCHAugust 2004Taking social governance seriously:The vital role of non-government organisationsThe concept of social governance by pressures for NGOs to remain community decisions can influence refers to present dominant beliefs financially viable, for example by policy formation.about the best way to organise the amalgamation of some smaller the relationship between the NGOs. The present association Thus, it seems that implementing the government and its citizens, or in between government and NGOs is policy of government partnership short, new ideas about the process largely based on an unequal power with both NGOs and the community of governing. The precise meaning relationship of contractor–provider, holds a number of challenges. Fully of social governance is ‘slippery and where NGOs commonly compete utilising the strengths and capacities elusive’ (Bevir & Rhodes 2003, p.2). to gain a contract to deliver a of NGOs may provide a way However, there does appear to be (usually) prescribed program within forward. For partnerships to work, For partnerships broad agreement that, in contrast to a (usually) predetermined budget. NGOs need to be involved in the to work, NGOs a bureaucratic, hierarchical structure, development of policy and programs, need to be social governance is a process where A government partnership with not just at the end-point service involved in the decision-making is ...