The Ideal of Self-Governance: Public Policy Beyond Markets and States

Explore the opportunities and limitations of citizenship in the 21st century

On this course, you’ll explore a range of institutional responses to social problems.

Using real-world examples, you’ll discover the role and vibrant world of citizen action groups, community businesses, local governments, and public entrepreneurs.

You’ll explore the strengths and weaknesses of self-governance through major policy challenges like climate change and the housing crisis.

You’ll also be introduced to economic, political, and sociological concepts as you reimagine traditional ideas of public policy and challenge narratives about what ordinary people can achieve in public life.

This course is designed for anyone interested in learning more about governance and public policy.

This may be final year school students and university students seeking an introduction to the subject, or policy and media professionals and MPs who require more a thorough understanding of governance.

• Solving Collective Action Dilemmas
• Welcome to the Course
• What is Self-Governance?
• Solving Collective Action Dilemmas
• Self-Governance in Action
• Week 1 Summary and Reflection
• The Mechanisms of Self-Governance in Society
• Self-Governance and Public Entrepreneurship
• Self-Governance and Co-Production
• Self-Governance and Polycentricity
• Week 2 Summary and Reflection
• Evaluating Self-Governance
• The Case for Self-Governance
• The Limits of Self-Governance
• Week 3 Summary and Reflection
• Course Summary: The Meaning of Citizenship