Succeeding in the art of contemporary policymaking involves designing policies which reflect the deeply interconnected nature of political space. And yet, while it is undisputed that political spaces are fluid and networked, policy continues to be articulated through the age-old categories and hierarchies of scale. This book asks why scale occupies this enduring position of privilege in the work of policymakers. By highlighting how scales are far from ‘natural’ features of policy and that they are instead essential to the armoury of policy practice, the book presents ‘scalecraft’ as a new dime ... More

Succeeding in the art of contemporary policymaking involves designing policies which reflect the deeply interconnected nature of political space. And yet, while it is undisputed that political spaces are fluid and networked, policy continues to be articulated through the age-old categories and hierarchies of scale. This book asks why scale occupies this enduring position of privilege in the work of policymakers. By highlighting how scales are far from ‘natural’ features of policy and that they are instead essential to the armoury of policy practice, the book presents ‘scalecraft’ as a new dimension of policymaking. Drawing on empirical data from the field of education governance – England’s academy schools policy and the European Commission’s Education and Training 2020 agenda – the book traces how scales are crafted and mobilised in policymaking practices to argue that scalecraft is a major force in producing and sustaining hegemonic notions of ‘common sense’ in society. The book’s analysis integrates political discourse theory and political geography to illustrate how scalecraft develops new readings of policy, and it does so by discussing major themes in policy analysis including powerful forms of policy knowledge, statecraft practices, and frontline work. The book will be of interest to scholars and research students across the fields of policy studies, education governance, and political geography.