The Ideal of Self-Governance: Public Policy Beyond Markets and States
Learn how non-traditional forms of governance can help to make modern societies greener, safer, and more prosperous.
- Duration3 weeks
- Weekly study2 hours
- 100% onlineTry this course for free
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 on what ordinary people can achieve in public life.
What topics will you cover?
- What is governance?
- What is the problem of public goods?
- How does governance function beyond markets and states?
- Examples of governance in different public policy spheres
- What are the conditions and limitations for different forms of governance?
- Being a citizen in a self-governing society
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and learn at your own pace. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Explain how self-governance differs from market and state approaches to governance
- Describe how self-governing institutions can solve what economists call collective action problems
- Describe the role of public entrepreneurs in relation to self-governance institutions
- Evaluate the key arguments in favour of self-governance institutions and apply these to real-world case studies
- Debate the limitations of self-governing institutions
- Reflect on the relationship between citizenship and self-governance
Who is the course for?
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.
Who will you learn with?
I’m a Professor of Political Economy and Public Policy at King’s College, University of London. Over the past three years I’ve been working on the legacy of Elinor Ostrom’s work.
Who developed the course?
King's College London
King’s College London, established in 1829 and a founding college of the University of London, is one of the world’s leading research and teaching universities, based in the very heart of London.
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