The role of intergovernmental relations in response to a wicked problem: An analysis of the COVID-19 crisis in the BRICS countries
Loading...
Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Fundacao Getulio Varagas (FGV)
Abstract
Globally, policy environments have become increasingly more complex with the growth in the number of
wicked problems, such as that posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In their response to these problems, public
administrations have, from necessity, become heavily reliant on their intergovernmental relations systems, as
the challenges posed generally require multilevel responses. This paper analyzes the role of intergovernmental
relations in shaping the responses of the BRICS countries when confronted with COVID-19. We develop an
analytical framework to understand the dynamics of intergovernmental relations in these countries. Based on
this we assess the capacity of the state and political systems to manage intergovernmental relations and ensure
effective responses to the COVID-19 crisis. This framework is based on an analysis of three dimensions of the
policy domain: the political and state system, formal and informal institutions, and the political alignment between
them. Whilst state and political systems were found to be instrumental in formulating an immediate response
to the crisis, informal institutions and political processes also played a prominent role in determining the extent to
which strategies were implemented, particularly in countries that are more decentralized. Countries lacking the
robust formal institutions needed to facilitate intergovernmental relations and to ensure swift policy responses,
tend to deliver ineffective and inefficient results when confronted with wicked problems.
Description
Keywords
Covid-19, Intergovernmental relations, Institutions, Wicked problem, BRICS
Citation
de Oliveira, J. A. P. et al. (2021). The role of intergovernmental relations in response to a wicked problem: An analysis of the COVID-19 crisis in the BRICS countries. Revista de Administração Pública,55(1), 243-260