This paper comments on a recent paper by Tewdwr-Jones and Allmendinger whic
h presents a critique of the new paradigm of communicative planning theory.
The comments focus on the significance of a social relational perspective
in the communicative/institutionalist approach, the treatment of power, the
method of 'critical theory', and the condition of contemporary British lan
d-use planning practice. I conclude the paper by emphasising the need for n
ew forms of policy analysis to reflect both new perspectives on the social
relations of governance processes and the reconfiguration of governance unf
olding in practice.