Introduction: from New Public Management to the new governance?

The four articles following this introduction originated from the 7th International Research Conference on Dilemmas for Human Services. The articles cover a range of topics which illuminate some of the problems associated with the concept of governance and New Public Management (NPM). While the problem of governance has led to more flexible relationships between government and the governed, for example through Third Way dialogues or the Social Investment State, in certain circumstances NPM is still clearly present. In addition, such variation is also evident when international comparisons are made, with constitutional and institutional precedents playing a significant role in governance structures.