27. Negotiation through official networks

These networks have established themselves as patterns of relations that are well suited to current policy processes, in a wider policy context that emphasises good governance and sector wide programmes, partnership and trust, and where the role of the state in neo-liberal macro policy should be important but not overly intrusive. In this situation, networks seem to provide a balance between these various elements. In the literature on network management, the starting point is often a view of policy making as negotiation over public action, and networks are seen as an efficient means of handling such negotiations. Keywords are competition, coordination and cooperation. From this perspective, anyone who wishes to influence the policy negotiation process needs to engage with the relevant official networks, find similar-minded actors to cooperate with, and then present their ‘bid’ for the agenda-setting process.

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