Strengthening the role of intermediary bodies in democratic governance: developing strategies with state and non-state actors

• In Event: Civil society partnerships

Abstract

Democratic governance, the involvement of citizens and civil society organisations in decision making with state actors, is widely held to be an effective way of addressing society’s ‘wicked problems’ (Mathews, 2021; Speer, 2012). Shared decision making often takes place through governance networks that bring together a range of state and non-state actors (Davies, 2011). Civil society voices are commonly represented in governance networks through third sector intermediary bodies that navigate a complex tightrope in their relationships between the third sector and the state.

There is the rich body of literature related to the participation of citizens and communities in governance networks (Brandsen et al., 2014; de Corte and Verschuere, 2014; Taylor, 2011), but a limited empirical body related specifically to third sector intermediary bodies. My PhD research, Democratic governance through intermediary bodies: a case study of third sector interfaces in Scotland (Cullingworth, 2020), explored this gap. Using a case study methodology, the research considered if there was an impact on the independence of an intermediary body resulting from its involvement in democratic governance and what this involvement meant for its relationships with the third sector. My findings suggested that its independence was compromised by its close involvement with state actors and, further, that its legitimacy with the broader third sector was undermined. The research insights highlight a fundamental challenge: how do civil society actors participate in democratic governance while maintaining both autonomy from the state and legitimacy with civil society?

This paper animates the findings of a follow-on knowledge exchange project designed to nuance recommendations from the PhD and develop policy ideas to strengthen third sector-state relationships in Scotland. Knowledge exchange events were held with intermediary bodies, third sector organisations and state actors to discuss PhD research findings and recommendations. Interviews and focus groups with stakeholders further nuanced policy ideas, bringing in additional insights from the pandemic. This paper will serve two purposes: (1) it will reflect on the process and challenges of engaging different stakeholders in a process designed to develop collective policy ideas; and (2) it will report on the policy recommendations that were developed to strengthen third sector intermediary body involvement in democratic governance. The paper will be of interest to scholars with an interest in the relationship between the third sector and the state and particularly for those exploring collaborative and applied strategies to address the challenges of third sector engagement in governance networks.

References

Brandsen, T., Trommel, W. and Verschuere, B. (2014). Manufacturing civil society: practices, principles and effects. IIAS Series: Governance and Public Management: Palgrave Macmillan.

Cullingworth, J. (2020). Democratic governance through intermediary bodies: A case study of third sector interfaces in Scotland. PhD thesis, Glasgow, University of Glasgow.

Davies, J. S. (2011). Challenging governance theory: from networks to hegemony: Policy Press.

De Corte, J. and Verschuere, B. (2014). The autonomy of organised civil society in strategic policy decision-making: a resource-dependence perspective. In: Brandsen, T., Trommel, W. and Verschuere, B. Manufacturing civil society: principles, practices and effects: Palgrave Macmillan, pp.159-181.

Mathews, M. A. (2021). Understanding the roles and contributions of neighborhood organizations in civic governance. VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 32(4), 821-829.

Speer, J. (2012). Participatory governance reform: a good strategy for increasing government responsiveness and improving government services? World Development, 40(12), pp.2379-2398.

Taylor, M. (2011). Public policy in the community. 2nd ed: Palgrave Macmillan.

Author

• Jane Cullingworth