The Legitimacy Challenges for New Modes of Governance: Trustworthy Responsiveness

Two typical features of new modes of governance (NMG) are of particular concern: (1) the delegation of regulatory activities to independent regulatory authorities at the national and the European level; and (2) regulatory networks outside the legislative arenas, with both private and public actors. These features tend to make the NMG less democratically accountable. Yet some hold that NMG can confer legitimacy on the European Union, especially because they secure 'output' more effectively than democratic arrangements, even though they lack any 'input' from voters. This article challenges these normative claims: the alleged benefits of NMG may be less than often claimed, while democratic accountability measures are less of a challenge to effectiveness and credibility, properly conceived. © The Author 2010. Government and Opposition © 2010 Government and Opposition Ltd.