Multi-Level Governance and Problem-Solving: Towards a Dynamic Theory of Multi-Level Policymaking

The aim of this panel is to explore the evolving landscape of governance in an era marked by democratic backsliding, populism, and global challenges. As the power exercised by multi-level governance structures increases, traditional forms of political power that are bound to the context of a de facto or de jure state, have started to come under pressure.
Multi-level governance is concerned with the division of power and authority across various levels of governance, from supranational, to national, regional and local, and it includes the participation of both state and non-state actors. Initially, MLG is associated with different types with participatory decision-making processes, which is in contrast with traditional governance models, from authoritarian to democratic systems. Recent trends such as the rise of populist leaders pose new challenges to this model. This panel seeks to evaluate how these dynamics are reshaping governance structures and explore pathways for strengthening multi-level policymaking in a rapidly changing world.
Key questions the panel will address include:
How are national and subnational actors adapting to the pressures from populist movements and autocratic tendencies? Are they challenging or defending regional governance systems like the European Union?
- What are the implications of centralized governance strategies, such as the creation of "super ministries" and the erosion of agency autonomy, for multi-level governance frameworks?
- In the face of global challenges like the climate crisis, can multi-level governance offer viable solutions that transcend national borders, or will the populist wave undermine these efforts?
- What role do decentralization and federal structures play in maintaining effective governance amidst these pressures, and what challenges are they currently addressing?
- As geopolitical tensions rise, will we see the emergence of a new cold war-like divide between East and West, and how will this impact multi-level governance globally?
By exploring these questions, the panel aims to contribute to a dynamic theory of multi-level policymaking, one that is responsive to the challenges of the 21st century and capable of fostering resilient governance structures. Scholars and practitioners are invited to submit papers that offer theoretical insights, empirical research, or case studies on these critical issues.