Planning with complexity : an introduction to collaborative rationality for public policy / Judith E. Innes and David E. Booher.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Thinking differently for an age of complexity -- How can theory improve practice? -- Stories from the field -- The praxis of collaboration -- Dialogue as a community of inquiry -- Knowledge into action : the role of dialogue -- Using local knowledge for justice and resilience -- Beyond collaboration : democratic governance for a resilient society.

Planning, public policy, and administration are increasingly challenged by complexity, fragmentation, uncertainty, and global processes. Traditional approaches do not provide solutions to wicked problems. These challenges are stimulating alternative theory and practices around the world. Integrating existing theories and research from case studies, the authors argue that collaborative decision-making is a powerful method for getting beyond division and conflict to craft policy solutions and generate capacity for long term sustainability. They outline a new theory of collaborative rationality to help make sense of the new practices. They inquire in detail how collaborative rationality works, the theories that inform it, and the potential and pitfalls of democracy in the twenty-first century."--Provided by publisher