Berry Tholen
Biographic Data
| ID | 4127894 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Berry Tholen |
| GIVEN NAMES | Berry |
| FAMILY NAME | Tholen |
| SIGNATURE | THOLEN B |
| AFFILIATIONS | Radboud University Nijmegen |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-4041-7412 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 19 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 36 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 19 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2003 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 4 |
Managing Co-production. Lessons from Pragmatist and neo-Aristotelian Approaches
Contains fulltext : 322068.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access
The Values of the Management of Value Conflict
An increasing number of strategies for dealing with value conflicts in public management have been presented. These include Cycling, Firewalling, Casuistry, Incrementalism, and so on. A closer look reveals an apparent contradiction. The strategies are presented as forms of practical rationality to go beyond instrumentalist approaches and find answers in the common interest, but at the same time they are presented as instrumental rational strategi…
The virtues of the exemplary moral leader. Lessons from Aristotle's ethics
Many contemporary theories on good leadership (e.g., ‘moral leadership’, ‘responsible leadership’, ‘authentic leadership’ or ‘transformational leadership’) emphasize the importance of intrinsic motivation in followers and of leading by example. This also involves a rejection of the use of power and manipulation as well as advocacy for virtues such as modesty and a concern for equality. By focusing on magnanimity (Aristotle's virtue of the great),…
Holding It All Together: On the Value of Compromise and the Virtues of Compromising
Public discourse and theoretical literature currently show controversy on the value of political compromise: some oppose it, others welcome it, and on both sides, arguments differ. The different positions in these debates on compromise build on particular understandings of what politics is all about (four understandings are distinguished: Pragmatist, Principled, Agonist and Deliberative). These understandings oppose one another and are even mutua…
How to Be a Responsible Scientist. The Virtues in Max Weber’s Appeal to Scientists
In Science as a Profession and Vocation, Max Weber presents a clear task to scientists: he claims that they have the responsibility to present uncomfortable knowledge to politicians, students and others to prompt them to reconsider their value judgments. This clear appeal is a welcome message in the current debates on the social and political role of scientists. It is especially interesting because it is at odds with acclaimed ideas about the rol…
Dirty hands and the fragility of democracy
Political Responsibility as a Virtue: Nussbaum, MacIntyre, and Ricoeur on the Fragility of Politics
Contemporary virtue ethics is often criticized for its silence on political issues. In this article, it is argued, however, that virtue ethical theory can provide a clarifying understanding of political responsibility. Building on the work of Nussbaum, MacIntyre, and Ricoeur, first, the virtue ethical meaning of politics is elaborated. Then, the vulnerability of politics for typical threats is presented. Finally, it is established what political …
Bridging the gap between research traditions: On what we can really learn from Clifford Geertz
Interpretive researchers, also in our field, often refer to Geertz' work. They focus on taking the natives' point of view, thick description and reading culture as a text. In this paper, it is argued that these guidelines cannot provide good reason to accept one interpretation of a social phenomenon over any other interpretation. On closer inspection, however, Geertz' work displays a stronger approach. This approach on important points fits Lakat…
Machiavelli’s Lessons for Public Administration
On issues concerning the basis and function of political science and public administration as a discipline, Max Weber provides answers that are puzzling when more closely examined. In this article, it is demonstrated that coherent answers to these issues can be found in the work of Niccolò Machiavelli. Moreover, Machiavelli’s perspective can solve the puzzle that Weber creates. This perspective explains, more explicitly and elaborately than Weber…
Drawing the Line: On the Public/Private Distinction in Debates on New Modes of Governance
Privatization, output steering, and other measures that are often collectively referred to as New Public Management have been broadly commented on in recent years. Critiques of New Public Management lament a diminishing publicness and an erosion of the public/private distinction. On closer inspection, however, the meaning of these concepts in the critiques is often not clear, which leads to confusion and paradox. Most notably, it remains unclear …
Citizen participation and bureaucratization: The participatory turn seen through a Weberian lens
Recently, many scholars in public administration have argued for a participatory turn: the introduction of deliberative arrangements to include citizens in policymaking. In this article, the arguments and likely consequences of these proposals are assessed by using Max Weber’s classical analysis of the interplay between democracy and bureaucratization. It is argued that advocacy for a participatory turn contains blind spots. In consequence, the p…
Guardians of the Law or Loyal Administrators: Toward a Refined Administrative Ethos for Legislative Drafters
Many of the civil servants who draft legislation in the Netherlands perceive themselves as loyal advocates for the political executive rather than as guardians of the law. This means that they may be selective in performing tests of legality, to the point of developing innovative legal interpretations. This article investigates whether their attitude can be defended from an ethical perspective. Assessment of the different justifications for loyal…
Dirty Hands or Political Virtue: Walzer's and MacIntyre's Answers to Machiavelli's Challenge
Can it be right to do wrong in order to do good? Can torture, for instance, be justified? This commentary argues that Michael Walzer's often-cited answer on these dirty hands issues is problematic, and that a properly elaborated virtue ethics is more convincing. The argument is of particular consequence for courses on administrative ethics and for practitioners dealing with hard cases
After Managerialism: MacIntyre’s Lessons for the Study of Public Administration
Disappointing results and negative consequences of government reforms inspired by New Public Management (NPM) ideas have recently stimulated Public Administration scholars to develop alternative approaches to governance. Prominent alternatives in current debates are the Neo-Weberian State, Public Value Management, new arrangements of civic participation, and evidence-based policy making. In this article, the authors build on a reconstruction of t…
The changing border: Developments and risks in border control management of Western countries
In recent decades we have witnessed the development of a new type of migration regulation and border control in Europe, North America and Australia. In this new system of controls, the focus is less on the physical crossing of territorial borders and more on the process as a whole; from airline reservations, ticketing and visa applications to monitoring individuals after arriving in the country of destination. The developing mode of border contro…
Privileging the near and dear: Evaluating special ties considerations in EU migration policy
Many studies have analysed the relation between the self understandings of citizenship or identity of western states on the one hand and national integration and immigration policies on the other. As migration regulation in recent years has shifted to a considerable extent to the European level, it seems appropriate to address issues of migration and identity also in that context. The central question of this article is whether European Union (EU…
The Politics of Migration and Immigration in Europe
The Inclusion and Exclusion of Minorities in European Countries: A Comparative Analysis at the Local Level
Facing the reality of groups in Europe being in effect socially and politically marginalized, this article asks how the political inclusion of minorities is and should be established at the local level. First, a model is developed building on normative theories of political inclusion. This points to the importance of two dimensions of inclusion and exclusion, namely the possibility of direct participation and the granting of (special) rights to m…
Developing European Regions? Comparative Governance, Policy Networks and European Integration
After Managerialism: MacIntyre’s Lessons for the Study of Public Administration
Disappointing results and negative consequences of government reforms inspired by New Public Management (NPM) ideas have recently stimulated Public Administration scholars to develop alternative approaches to governance. Prominent alternatives in current debates are the Neo-Weberian State, Public Value Management, new arrangements of civic participation, and evidence-based policy making. In this article, the authors build on a reconstruction of t…
Privileging the near and dear: Evaluating special ties considerations in EU migration policy
Many studies have analysed the relation between the self understandings of citizenship or identity of western states on the one hand and national integration and immigration policies on the other. As migration regulation in recent years has shifted to a considerable extent to the European level, it seems appropriate to address issues of migration and identity also in that context. The central question of this article is whether European Union (EU…
Developing European Regions? Comparative Governance, Policy Networks and European Integration
Guardians of the Law or Loyal Administrators: Toward a Refined Administrative Ethos for Legislative Drafters
Many of the civil servants who draft legislation in the Netherlands perceive themselves as loyal advocates for the political executive rather than as guardians of the law. This means that they may be selective in performing tests of legality, to the point of developing innovative legal interpretations. This article investigates whether their attitude can be defended from an ethical perspective. Assessment of the different justifications for loyal…
Bridging the gap between research traditions: On what we can really learn from Clifford Geertz
Interpretive researchers, also in our field, often refer to Geertz' work. They focus on taking the natives' point of view, thick description and reading culture as a text. In this paper, it is argued that these guidelines cannot provide good reason to accept one interpretation of a social phenomenon over any other interpretation. On closer inspection, however, Geertz' work displays a stronger approach. This approach on important points fits Lakat…
Drawing the Line: On the Public/Private Distinction in Debates on New Modes of Governance
Privatization, output steering, and other measures that are often collectively referred to as New Public Management have been broadly commented on in recent years. Critiques of New Public Management lament a diminishing publicness and an erosion of the public/private distinction. On closer inspection, however, the meaning of these concepts in the critiques is often not clear, which leads to confusion and paradox. Most notably, it remains unclear …
The changing border: Developments and risks in border control management of Western countries
In recent decades we have witnessed the development of a new type of migration regulation and border control in Europe, North America and Australia. In this new system of controls, the focus is less on the physical crossing of territorial borders and more on the process as a whole; from airline reservations, ticketing and visa applications to monitoring individuals after arriving in the country of destination. The developing mode of border contro…
Dirty hands and the fragility of democracy
Political Responsibility as a Virtue: Nussbaum, MacIntyre, and Ricoeur on the Fragility of Politics
Contemporary virtue ethics is often criticized for its silence on political issues. In this article, it is argued, however, that virtue ethical theory can provide a clarifying understanding of political responsibility. Building on the work of Nussbaum, MacIntyre, and Ricoeur, first, the virtue ethical meaning of politics is elaborated. Then, the vulnerability of politics for typical threats is presented. Finally, it is established what political …
Citizen participation and bureaucratization: The participatory turn seen through a Weberian lens
Recently, many scholars in public administration have argued for a participatory turn: the introduction of deliberative arrangements to include citizens in policymaking. In this article, the arguments and likely consequences of these proposals are assessed by using Max Weber’s classical analysis of the interplay between democracy and bureaucratization. It is argued that advocacy for a participatory turn contains blind spots. In consequence, the p…
Dirty Hands or Political Virtue: Walzer's and MacIntyre's Answers to Machiavelli's Challenge
Can it be right to do wrong in order to do good? Can torture, for instance, be justified? This commentary argues that Michael Walzer's often-cited answer on these dirty hands issues is problematic, and that a properly elaborated virtue ethics is more convincing. The argument is of particular consequence for courses on administrative ethics and for practitioners dealing with hard cases
The Inclusion and Exclusion of Minorities in European Countries: A Comparative Analysis at the Local Level
Facing the reality of groups in Europe being in effect socially and politically marginalized, this article asks how the political inclusion of minorities is and should be established at the local level. First, a model is developed building on normative theories of political inclusion. This points to the importance of two dimensions of inclusion and exclusion, namely the possibility of direct participation and the granting of (special) rights to m…
Developing European Regions? Comparative Governance, Policy Networks and European Integration
The Inclusion and Exclusion of Minorities in European Countries: A Comparative Analysis at the Local Level
Facing the reality of groups in Europe being in effect socially and politically marginalized, this article asks how the political inclusion of minorities is and should be established at the local level. First, a model is developed building on normative theories of political inclusion. This points to the importance of two dimensions of inclusion and exclusion, namely the possibility of direct participation and the granting of (special) rights to m…
The Politics of Migration and Immigration in Europe
Privileging the near and dear: Evaluating special ties considerations in EU migration policy
Many studies have analysed the relation between the self understandings of citizenship or identity of western states on the one hand and national integration and immigration policies on the other. As migration regulation in recent years has shifted to a considerable extent to the European level, it seems appropriate to address issues of migration and identity also in that context. The central question of this article is whether European Union (EU…
The changing border: Developments and risks in border control management of Western countries
In recent decades we have witnessed the development of a new type of migration regulation and border control in Europe, North America and Australia. In this new system of controls, the focus is less on the physical crossing of territorial borders and more on the process as a whole; from airline reservations, ticketing and visa applications to monitoring individuals after arriving in the country of destination. The developing mode of border contro…
After Managerialism: MacIntyre’s Lessons for the Study of Public Administration
Disappointing results and negative consequences of government reforms inspired by New Public Management (NPM) ideas have recently stimulated Public Administration scholars to develop alternative approaches to governance. Prominent alternatives in current debates are the Neo-Weberian State, Public Value Management, new arrangements of civic participation, and evidence-based policy making. In this article, the authors build on a reconstruction of t…
Guardians of the Law or Loyal Administrators: Toward a Refined Administrative Ethos for Legislative Drafters
Many of the civil servants who draft legislation in the Netherlands perceive themselves as loyal advocates for the political executive rather than as guardians of the law. This means that they may be selective in performing tests of legality, to the point of developing innovative legal interpretations. This article investigates whether their attitude can be defended from an ethical perspective. Assessment of the different justifications for loyal…
Dirty Hands or Political Virtue: Walzer's and MacIntyre's Answers to Machiavelli's Challenge
Can it be right to do wrong in order to do good? Can torture, for instance, be justified? This commentary argues that Michael Walzer's often-cited answer on these dirty hands issues is problematic, and that a properly elaborated virtue ethics is more convincing. The argument is of particular consequence for courses on administrative ethics and for practitioners dealing with hard cases
Citizen participation and bureaucratization: The participatory turn seen through a Weberian lens
Recently, many scholars in public administration have argued for a participatory turn: the introduction of deliberative arrangements to include citizens in policymaking. In this article, the arguments and likely consequences of these proposals are assessed by using Max Weber’s classical analysis of the interplay between democracy and bureaucratization. It is argued that advocacy for a participatory turn contains blind spots. In consequence, the p…
Machiavelli’s Lessons for Public Administration
On issues concerning the basis and function of political science and public administration as a discipline, Max Weber provides answers that are puzzling when more closely examined. In this article, it is demonstrated that coherent answers to these issues can be found in the work of Niccolò Machiavelli. Moreover, Machiavelli’s perspective can solve the puzzle that Weber creates. This perspective explains, more explicitly and elaborately than Weber…
Drawing the Line: On the Public/Private Distinction in Debates on New Modes of Governance
Privatization, output steering, and other measures that are often collectively referred to as New Public Management have been broadly commented on in recent years. Critiques of New Public Management lament a diminishing publicness and an erosion of the public/private distinction. On closer inspection, however, the meaning of these concepts in the critiques is often not clear, which leads to confusion and paradox. Most notably, it remains unclear …
Bridging the gap between research traditions: On what we can really learn from Clifford Geertz
Interpretive researchers, also in our field, often refer to Geertz' work. They focus on taking the natives' point of view, thick description and reading culture as a text. In this paper, it is argued that these guidelines cannot provide good reason to accept one interpretation of a social phenomenon over any other interpretation. On closer inspection, however, Geertz' work displays a stronger approach. This approach on important points fits Lakat…
Political Responsibility as a Virtue: Nussbaum, MacIntyre, and Ricoeur on the Fragility of Politics
Contemporary virtue ethics is often criticized for its silence on political issues. In this article, it is argued, however, that virtue ethical theory can provide a clarifying understanding of political responsibility. Building on the work of Nussbaum, MacIntyre, and Ricoeur, first, the virtue ethical meaning of politics is elaborated. Then, the vulnerability of politics for typical threats is presented. Finally, it is established what political …
Dirty hands and the fragility of democracy
How to Be a Responsible Scientist. The Virtues in Max Weber’s Appeal to Scientists
In Science as a Profession and Vocation, Max Weber presents a clear task to scientists: he claims that they have the responsibility to present uncomfortable knowledge to politicians, students and others to prompt them to reconsider their value judgments. This clear appeal is a welcome message in the current debates on the social and political role of scientists. It is especially interesting because it is at odds with acclaimed ideas about the rol…
Holding It All Together: On the Value of Compromise and the Virtues of Compromising
Public discourse and theoretical literature currently show controversy on the value of political compromise: some oppose it, others welcome it, and on both sides, arguments differ. The different positions in these debates on compromise build on particular understandings of what politics is all about (four understandings are distinguished: Pragmatist, Principled, Agonist and Deliberative). These understandings oppose one another and are even mutua…
The virtues of the exemplary moral leader. Lessons from Aristotle's ethics
Many contemporary theories on good leadership (e.g., ‘moral leadership’, ‘responsible leadership’, ‘authentic leadership’ or ‘transformational leadership’) emphasize the importance of intrinsic motivation in followers and of leading by example. This also involves a rejection of the use of power and manipulation as well as advocacy for virtues such as modesty and a concern for equality. By focusing on magnanimity (Aristotle's virtue of the great),…
The Values of the Management of Value Conflict
An increasing number of strategies for dealing with value conflicts in public management have been presented. These include Cycling, Firewalling, Casuistry, Incrementalism, and so on. A closer look reveals an apparent contradiction. The strategies are presented as forms of practical rationality to go beyond instrumentalist approaches and find answers in the common interest, but at the same time they are presented as instrumental rational strategi…
Managing Co-production. Lessons from Pragmatist and neo-Aristotelian Approaches
Contains fulltext : 322068.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access
Political science (19 works) · Law (18 works) · Sociology (18 works) · Politics (16 works) · Law (14 works) · Epistemology (11 works) · Philosophy (11 works) · Economics (9 works) · Law and economics (8 works) · Philosophy (7 works)