East-West, learning best? Linze Schaap
Jan 13, 2016
East-West, learning best?Linze Schaap
East-West, learning best?
Contents
1. Challenges
2. Identical challenges, identical answers?
3. Different contexts
4. No cross-boarder learning?
5. Core values of good urban governance
6. Conclusions
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East-West, learning best?
1. Challenges
1. Government: based on territorial jurisdiction
But: governance era and representation gap
2. Democracy: representation within a territory
But: modern citizenship
3. Local autonomy preferred
But: centralisation
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East-West, learning best?
2. Identical challenges, identical answers?
No:
Strengthening democracy
Amalgamations
Regionalisation
Improving performance
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East-West, learning best?
3. Different contexts
Europe: the realm of differences
• State traditions
• Structures
• Appreciation of local government
• Functions and importance of local government
• Historical paths
• Economic development
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East-West, learning best?
4. No cross-boarder learning? - A
Depends on what ‘learning’ is …
Single loop learning: copying methods and concepts (amalgamation, NPM, et cetera)
Double loop learning: adapting to values, norms (efficiency, responsiveness, et cetera)
Deutero learning: learn to learn, creating adaptive and innovative attitudes
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East-West, learning best?
4. No cross-boarder learning? - B
If we respect contextual differences:
Single loop learning: don’t!
Double loop learning: yes! Reflect on values, adapt measures to local / national context
Deutero learning: even better!
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East-West, learning best?
5. Values of good urban governance
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Input values Output values System values
Democracy Core value: responsivene
ss
Core value: effectiveness
Core value:resilience
Rule of Law Core value: reliability
Core value: counterbalanc
e
East-West, learning best?
6. Conclusions
A. Cross-boarder learning IS possible
B. We need to respect differences in contexts
C. Best practices are always ‘best’ in a certain context
D. We do share certain values (or: should share …)
E. Learning: double loop learning is advisable
at value level,
Adapting / translating to local situation
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