Metagovernance

Metagovernance is the governance of governance. It refers to the deliberate design, steering, and reform of the processes by which public policy is made and implemented, rather than to the content of specific policies themselves.

By shaping rules, norms, and incentives, metagovernance affects how actors interact, how decisions are made, and how resources are allocated. It encompasses coordination across jurisdictions and sectors, alignment of public, private, and civil society actors, and the establishment of arenas and platforms for deliberation, standard setting, and information exchange.

Practically, metagovernance relies on a mix of instruments: regulatory and normative frameworks, governance arrangements for coordination (such as councils and steering committees), public–private partnerships, policy platforms and networks, performance measurement and benchmarking, open data, and participatory forums.

Applications appear across urban planning, environmental and climate governance, health policy, digital governance, and international policy coordination. It is central to multilevel and network governance, where diverse actors must cooperate within or beyond traditional government hierarchies.

Critiques focus on legitimacy and accountability, as metagovernance can obscure who is responsible for outcomes and may concentrate influence in technocratic or elite circles. Critics warn of potential capture by powerful actors, inefficiency from over-coordination, and the difficulty of evaluating success. Proponents argue that it offers a way to improve coherence, adaptability, and legitimacy in complex policy environments.