REINVENTING THE POLICY SCIENCES - 3 STEPS BACK TO THE FUTURE

This article examines the contemporary condition of the policy science s in terms of its shortcomings, which can largely be attributed to an over reliance on instrumental rationality; the complexity of the probl em contexts; and an increasingly technocratic orientation. These have combined to distance the policy sciences from their original multidisc iplinary character and goals of human dignity and democratic governanc e. The essay argues that a return to these first principles requires t hree inter-related steps: a revision of the present policy sciences pa radigm; the development of more democratic or participatory procedures ; and a focus on problem definition. The article concludes by proposin g means by which these steps could be operationalized.