Sovereign power beyond the state: a critical reappraisal of governance by networks

Abstract

This article argues that existent critique against the discourse and practice of governance by networks fails to consider the more substantial political challenges that such a style of governance generates. By not addressing the depoliticization claims present in the discourse of governance by networks there is a continuation of the seemingly attractive solution and possibility for states to perform metagovernance of networks. Such suggestions have, however, overlooked the instability of networks and the politics of politics that this form of organization entails. By making use of a retheorization of sovereign power and its double relationship to public political space, it is argued that new insights can be gained with regards to the role of networks in contemporary politics. This retheorization suggests that sovereign power is present when decisions are made both on the political nature of issues and on whether accountability to the wider public should apply. Thus, contrary to the claim that sovereign power is declining as networks get involved in public affairs, it is argued here that such power is even more present due to an increased uncertainty of political boundaries that arise in the implementation and maintenance of new governing structures.

Keywords:

• governance by networks
• metagovernance of networks
• sovereign power

Acknowledgments

The author wishes to thank Stefano Guzzini, Fredrik Bynander and PerOla Öberg, along with the two anonymous reviewers, for their insightful and constructive comments on the article.