[governance] individuals

[Gurstein, Michael]

Hmmm,

Models are meant to provide a way of abstracting so as to identify an underlying structure or consistency of behaviour/structure/action...and usually they are created in relation to some specific set of conditions/contexts (from the specific to the general and then back to the specific)... In this case my casual attempt at suggesting models was to see whether one could understand the different approaches that were underlying the different positions/perspectives concerning the organization of CS in relation to its broader tasks of influencing policy.  

I think anyone familiar with the evolution of Civil Society particularly in relation to having an influence in and through UN processes will recognize the evolution from representational structures to network structures (the outcome of the most recent Summits for example from the CS side have all been characterized as being enhanced "networks"...

And the reason this is the case is that networks allow for inclusion of a range of individuals, organizations, coalitions, special interest groups through which consensus can be developed and "political" influence can be mobilized/exerted...

The introduction of a "market" model where influencing policy is not a matter of creating coalitions and "politiking" but rather where policy entrepreneurs identify an idea, marshall resources around the idea (access grant funds for example) and then market the Heck out of it with the "winner" taking the "prizes" and everybody else licking their wounds is I think, something new on the international scene (and particularly for CS) but of course it is precisely how the game is played in the US policy (including both the for and not for profit lobbyist) marketplace.

MG 

-----Original Message-----
From: governance-bounces at lists.cpsr.org [mailto:governance-bounces at lists.cpsr.org] On Behalf Of Meryem Marzouki
Sent: April 27, 2006 7:48 PM
To: governance at lists.cpsr.org
Subject: Re: [governance] individuals



Le 27 avr. 06 à 18:26, Milton Mueller a écrit :

>>>> David Allen <David_Allen_AB63 at post.harvard.edu> 4/26/2006 2:25 PM 
>>>> >>>
>> Michael Gurstein has proposed a network model.  Though Avri and
>> Carlos have offered elegant support, I for one do not see any 
>> specifics as to what is such a model.  What is the structure? Who 
>> does what to whom, when?  How are practical matters dealt? How does 
>> it truly scale and garner legitimacy
>
> Yes, David, the "network model" is a purely rhetorical nonsolution to 
> a real problem. Networks are basically about voluntary
> association with no clearly defined procedures. In fact, we  
> (remnants of WSIS-CS) are already in a network form of  
> organization. We are also very much in the "competitive  
> marketplace" for influence, and anyone who thinks that a network  
> gets you out of that is being quite unrealistic.

... specially since one is consubstantial to the other, as perfectly  
described by Boltanski and Chiapello in "The new spirit of capitalism". In fact, Michael Gurstein's three models are actually only two models  
("network" and "representational").

Meryem
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