Concept promotion and the study of government

Abstract

“Governance,” “performance,” “innovation.” These concepts share a large attractivity. Christopher Pollitt and Peter Hupe characterized them as magic concepts. The broad character of such concepts enables them to live a life of their own. In public institutions, they may fulfill mobilizing functions. In academia, they enhance the formation of scholarly niches. Concept-driven analysis appears to be an important feature of contemporary public administration scholarship. Promoting a particular, stand-alone concept is rewarding, while the logic of academic practice breeds what can be framed as concept entrepreneurship. At the same time, apart from talking about government, what remains central is understanding and explaining how government works. Causes and consequences in relation to society do matter. Apart from concept promotion, therefore problem-driven analysis remains required.