Join the EU Centre at RMIT for their 4th Webinar examining how private actors can enhance the effectiveness of multilevel
governance structures
Date and time: Tues, 28 Aug 2023 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM AEST
Location: Online via Microsoft Teams
Registration is FREE via Eventbrite
When examining the core processes of multilevel governance, much attention and focus has been devoted to the
two traditional structural systems of top-down authorisation and bottom-up empowerment, with both yielding
wide-ranging results for the functionality and success of the multifarious governance layers. The top-down approach
delineates governance responsibilities clearly and emphasises the rule of law, promoting stability in environments
where frequent policy changes can result in uncertainty for citizens. In contrast, the bottom-up approach allows for
governing actors that may be closer to the consequences or practical implementation of policies to take the lead on
issues and proceed with greater efficiency, while creating a mindset of inclusivity, community and customisation of
local policies and services.
Despite their benefits, ongoing critiques of these two traditional approaches to governance have elucidated their
many limitations and inefficiencies, such as the slow transfer of ideas through hierarchical systems, bureaucratic and
administrative roadblocks to addressing complex and urgent issues, resource competition between governing
agencies, and a general sense of distrust between governing actors and citizens, or amongst the governing actors
themselves. In order to address these shortcomings, a re-examination of the underlying issues may be prudent.
Rather than confining multilevel governance to these two traditional structures and attempting solely to improve
their processes, an innovative solution may lie in re-thinking the types of governing actors involved across the
various levels.
Enhancing the role of private actors as regulators in real-time multilevel governance cooperation may allow for
greater deliberation at the informal level, widen the scope of negotiations in the decision-making process, and
enable greater scrutiny, transparency and accountability for all stakeholders working towards tangible resolutions.
Capitalising on the role private actors can play in multilevel governance may also address some of the inadequacies
in access and responsibility elucidated by its current structures, such as aiding the balance of unequal power
relations between various governance levels, innovating new metrics frameworks and mechanisms for measuring
the successes or failures of certain governing processes and policies, and engaging a wider array of stakeholder
outreach necessary for stable and successful long-term governance.