Collaborative governance (CG) can outperform other ways to pursue public goals in important circumstances. The conceptual framework developed in this chapter identifies those circumstances and defines the principles and design features required for success. The chapter then examines some salient elements of the Chinese and US context that shape adoption of the collaborative approach in each country.

Five straightforward diagnostic questions define where and how CG should operate. First, should some missions involve government at all, rather than being left to private parties? If the answer is “no,” then we’re done – at least for the purposes of this book. Second, if the answer is “yes,” should the government produce the service itself, or should it delegate production (in whole or in part) to the private sector? Third, for functions that should be delegated, how should that delegation take place?