Knowledge is not power: Learning in polycentric governance systems.

The link between knowledge and decision‐making in polycentric systems is shaped by the process of collective learning, where policy actors participate in multiple policy forums to acquire, translate, and disseminate knowledge. This article argues that the relationship between learning and participat...

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Published in:Review of Policy Research Vol. 42; no. 3; pp. 444 - 466
Main Authors: Rittelmeyer, Pamela, Lubell, Mark, Hovis, Meredith, Heikkila, Tanya, Gerlak, Andrea, Pozzi, Tara
Format: Article
Published: Wiley-Blackwell May2025
Subjects:
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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        atl: Knowledge is not power: Learning in polycentric governance systems.
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        au:
          Rittelmeyer, Pamela
          Lubell, Mark
          Hovis, Meredith
          Heikkila, Tanya
          Gerlak, Andrea
          Pozzi, Tara
        affil:
          Center for Environmental Policy and Behavior, University of California Davis, Davis California,, USA
          Department of Environmental Sciences, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington North Carolina,, USA
          School of Public Affairs, University of Colorado Denver, Denver Colorado,, USA
          Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy and School of Geography, Development and Environment, University of Arizona, Tucson Arizona,, USA
      su:
        Learning communities
        Participation
        Actors
        Executives
        Forums
      sug:
        subj:
          Learning communities
          Participation
          Actors
          Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers
          Independent actors, comedians and performers
          Executives
          Forums
      keyword:
        adaptive management
        epistemic communities
        learning
        polycentricity
        science‐policy interface
        aprendizaje
        comunidades epistémicas
        gestión adaptativa
        interfaz ciencia‐política
        policentricidad
        多中心性
        学习
        科学‐政策界面
        认知共同体
        适应性管理
        adaptive management
        epistemic communities
        learning
        polycentricity
        science‐policy interface
        aprendizaje
        comunidades epistémicas
        gestión adaptativa
        interfaz ciencia‐política
        policentricidad
        多中心性
        学习
        科学‐政策界面
        认知共同体
        适应性管理
      ab: The link between knowledge and decision‐making in polycentric systems is shaped by the process of collective learning, where policy actors participate in multiple policy forums to acquire, translate, and disseminate knowledge. This article argues that the relationship between learning and participation in polycentric systems differs for actors with executive responsibilities versus specialized staff. Using a mix of quantitative and qualitative data, we show that executive staff are less likely to learn because of their incentives, resources, and position in the system. In contrast, specialized staff are more likely to learn as they form epistemic communities focused on specific policy issues. The different learning experiences of executive versus technical staff contributes to the disjunction between knowledge and power that is a feature of all polycentric systems. Bridging this gap requires institutional arrangements and training to enable the development of trust‐based relationships between decision‐makers, scientists, and other types of specialized knowledge communities.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype: Article
      src: R
    language: English
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