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Sociology of Governance

Course developer

Course abstract

The aim of the study course is to increase master students’ understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of governance by improving knowledge of the principles and challenges of good governance in democratic societies and their sociological analysis. Master students develop skills and competencies to identify and analyse governance-related challenges to offer solutions to improve governance processes. During the course, master students acquire topics about the principles of good governance and their evaluation criteria, the impact of globalisation and international processes on governance in different contexts, multi-level governance, governance in the context of societal sustainability, current directions and methodologies of governance research.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge of governance theories and evaluation criteria of good governance (group work, examination); knowledge of the specificities of multilevel governance, the impact of globalisation and international processes on governance in different contexts (examination); knowledge of current research directions and methodologies in governance studies (examination).

Skills: ability to identify risks that weaken democratic governance in modern contexts (discussion); ability to articulate solutions to governance problems (case analysis, discussion); ability to analyse the results of various studies and to apply them in practice in professional activities (examination); ability to critically and tolerantly evaluate divergent opinions, select information, substantiate their views in a reasoned manner (group work, case analysis, discussion).


Competence: ability to identify and analyse governance problems to offer solutions to improve governance processes (case analysis, examination).

Course Content(Calendar)

Full time studies:
List of lecture topics (16 hours):
1. The concept of governance and its processes, governance theories. - 2 hours
2. Governance and democracy. Principles of good governance and evaluation criteria. - 2 hours
3. Weak and strong governance. – 1 hour
4. Involvement of society in governance processes: forms of civic participation and their transformation in Latvia and the world. - 1 hour
5. Multilevel governance and its challenges in today’s world. - 2 hours
6. Governance and sustainability. – 1 hour
7. Governance problems and issues: conflicts of interest, oversight issues, trust, accountability, transparency, corruption, ethical violations, etc. – 3 hours
8. Governance, security and risks in the face of globalisation. – 1 hour
9. Innovations and digitalization of governance: benefits, risks and challenges. – 1 hour
10. Governance studies. - 2 hours

List of practicals and seminars (16 hours):

1. Comparative analysis of governance theories. - 2 hours
2. Governance and policymaking process - 1 hour
3. Group work. Analysis of good governance indicators – 2 hours
4. Social movements as a form of civic participation. - 2 hours
5. Governance and sustainability. – 1 hour
6. Case analysis. Problems and challenges in governance (conflict of interest, corruption, ethical violations). – 2 hours
7. Discussion. Risks to democratic governance. - 2 hours
8. Innovations in governance: risks and analysis. - 2 hours
9. Research overview on governance topics. - 2 hours

Part-time distance learning:

All topics specified for full-time studies are covered, but the number of contact hours is reduced to half of the number specified for full-time studies.

Requirements for awarding credit points

Exam. The final assessment is cumulative on the following topics and tasks:
1) Analysis of good governance indicators (group work) – 20%;
2) Problems and challenges in governance (conflict of interest, corruption, ethical violations) (case analysis) – 20%;
3) Risks to democratic governance (discussion) – 20%;
4) Exam on all topics – 40%.


The study process in part-time distance learning is organised in accordance with Order of the Vice-Rector for Studies No. 2.4-8/54 on distance learning procedures at LBTU. Study courses are scheduled for each semester according to the study plan. Students acquire the topics covered in each course independently, using the materials prepared and uploaded by the lecturer in the e-studies environment (Moodle). Feedback on the learning of lecture and seminar topics is provided through self-assessment tests, discussion forums, and individual tasks, as well as during face-to-face or online consultations, lectures, and final examinations, according to the timetable.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Master students study scientific literature to prepare for seminar classes and final exam.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Masters should successfully participate in group work (20%), conduct case analysis (20%), participate actively in the discussion (20%) and pass the exam successfully (40%). 10% corresponds to 1 point on the 10-point assessment scale.

Compulsory reading

1. MacKenzie K. M., Setl M., Kyllnen P.S. Democracy and the Future: Future-Regarding Governance in Democratic Systems. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2025, 324 p.
2. Benz A. Rethinking Multilevel Governance. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar, 2024, 200 p.
3. OECD. The E-Leaders Handbook on the Governance of Digital Government, OECD Digital Government Studies. Paris: OECD Publishing, 2021, 107 p. Pieejams: https://doi.org/10.1787/ac7f2531-en.
4. Sementelli J.A. Public Administration and Epistemology: Experience, Power, and Agency. UK: Routledge, 2022, 196 p.

5. Jones R.I., Chaney P. Civil Society in an Age of Uncertainty: Institutions, Governance and Existential Challenges. Policy Press, 2024, 210 p.

Further reading

1. Fukuyama F. What Is Governance? CGD Working Paper 314. Washington, DC: Center for Global Development, 2013. Pieejams: https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/159182/1426906_file_Fukuyama_What_Is_Governance.pdf
2. Bevir M. A Theory of Governance. Berkeley: University of California Press. 2013, 263 p. Pieejams: https://escholarship.org/content/qt2qs2w3rb/qt2qs2w3rb.pdf
3. Halonen M., Kuhmonen I., Albrech M. Rescaling Sustainability Transitions: Unfolding the Spatialities of Power Relations, Governance Arrangements, and Socio-Economic Systems. Palgrave Macmillan, 2024, 299 p.
4. Amenta E., Nash K., Scott A. The Wiley-Blackwell companion to political sociology. Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, 2012, 636 p. Pieejams:
https://orbi.uliege.be/bitstream/2268/263229/13/The-Wiley-Blackwell-Companion-to-Political-Sociology.pdf

Periodicals and other sources

1. Jessop B. The Governance of Complexity and the Complexity of Governance: Preliminary Remarks on some Problems and Limits of Economic Guidance. Lancaster: Department of Sociology, Lancaster University. Pieejams: https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/fass/resources/sociology-online-papers/papers/jessop-governance-of-complexity.pdf
2. Domnīcas “Providus” tīmekļa vietne https://providus.lv/
3. OECD Directorate for Public Governance. Pieejams:
https://www.oecd.org/en/about/directorates/directorate-for-public-governance.html
4. Latvijas Pilsoniskā alianses tīmekļa vietne https://www.nvo.lv/
5. The Open Government Partnership https://www.opengovpartnership.org/
6. Integrity Pacts https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/policy/how/improving-investment/integrity-pacts_en
7. Viedās administrācijas un reģionālās attīstības ministrijas tīmekļa vietne https://www.varam.gov.lv/lv

8. Governance. Online ISSN:1468-0491 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/14680491

Notes

Compulsory study course in academic master’s study programme “Sociology of organizations and public administration”.