Advancing Robust Governance in Turbulent Times: The Role of Multi-Level Governance, Hybrid Governance, and Negotiated Societal Intelligence

New research argues that robust governance based on flexible adaptation and proactive innovation is needed in order to upholdcore public functions, purposes, and values in times of societal turbulence. However, we have limited knowledge of the conditions for enhancing robust governance. To fill that knowledge gap, we ask: How can multi-level governance, hybrid governance,and societal intelligence contribute to the development of robust responses to the proliferation of complex and turbulent problems? To answer this pertinent question, we draw on relevant literatures to conceptualize each of the three governance factorsand develop a set of theoretically derived conjectures about their impact on robust governance. We also discuss the combinedeffects of the three governance factors as well as the limits to robust governance. Finally, we draw some lessons for practitionersand sketch out an agenda for further research.Human history has been marked by recurring spells of societal turbulence in which communities have been marred bywar, strife, hunger, economic decline, and natural disasters(Louçã 1997; Gat 2008). Today, the concurrence of globalization,a changing world order, new disruptive technologies, and political disalignment seems to render spells of turbulence even morefrequent and enduring (Rosenau 1997; Drucker 2012; Ansellet al. 2025). Consequently, public leaders are facing a growingnumber of unpredictable societal dynamics triggered by economic recession, refugee crises, pandemics, energy shortages,climate chaos, military conflicts, etc. (Ansell and Trondal 2018).Indeed, they seem to spend much more time and energy puttingout fires than formulating and achieving collective goals.After a relatively stable postwar period with steady economicgrowth, social peace, and predictable bureaucratic regulation,we are witnessing heightened societal turbulence that chal