Strategies in policy networks and governance arrangements: a view from the theory of practice perspective

Abstract

The object of this article is to explain the fundaments and utilization of the Theory of Practice, by Pierre Bourdieu, as a means to better understand the relational logic among agents, the capacity of agents and the contextual structure of strategic action spatially located. The concepts of habitus, capital and field, with ontological and epistemological fundaments of critical realism are articulated as means to explain several influential constituents of structured actions to defend sociopolitical interests, while considering the potential of agents as important positive sources of strategically organized actions. Conclusions reveal that the Practice of Theory can bring promising contributions to the study of public policies, especially to strengthen approaches such as social network analysis, multilevel governance and policy networks.