The application of complexity theory in the context of public governance challenges

Abstract

Traditional public governance is based on rationality, clear causal links, and the assumption of stability of social systems. However, contemporary public governance systems have different levels of operation, they adapt, can organise themselves, have different levels of sensitivity, evolve and change unpredictably according to their internal logic of operation or under the influence of other external systems. Thus, traditional models of public governance become insufficient to explain and address the challenges that arise in this context. The provisions of complexity theory and methodology become especially important for understanding the contexts and processes of modern society, applying governance methodologies and increasing their efficiency, implementing systemic changes, and forming prediction models. While it may not be possible to provide concrete technical solutions that are useful in the short term, this theory can offer certain models and principles to better meet the challenges ahead. This article aims to define the essential features of complexity theory and to discuss the possibilities of its application in the context of public governance. The methods of scientific literature analysis, synthesis, historic analysis, and document analysis are used in this paper. The possibilities of applying complexity theory differ depending on the stage of development of public governance and its methodological assumptions. In the context of complexity theory, when shaping public governance change strategies for effective solutions, it becomes important to understand the limitations of idealised future perspectives and to assess the current functioning of systems and forces acting on them, identifying natural system development trends due to the influence of self-organisation forces.