Regime Complexity and Policy Coherency: Introducing a Co-Adjustments Model

Abstract

This article looks at regime complexes from a state policy-making perspective. It develops a theoretical model in which regime complexes become denser over time, while governmental policy-making becomes more coherent. Under this model, interactions between global regime complexes and national policy-making are twofold. On the one hand, greater policy coherence generates negotiated mandates asking for regime connections and complex density. On the other hand, regime-complex density creates more cohesive audiences, which increase incentives for national policy coherence. This co-adjustments model brings states into the discussion of institutional interactions and critically questions the desirability and feasibility of recent calls for joined-up-government and whole-of-government approaches.

Keywords: regime complexity, policy coherence, substantive coherence, procedural coherence, political audience, life cycle