Responsibilization

Responsibilization strategies involve a series of new techniques and methods "whereby the state seeks to bring about action on the part of private agencies and individuals - either by stimulating new forms of behaviour or by stopping established habits" (emphasis in the original).

While responsibilization has become closely associated with neo-liberalism, with its inducement that individuals become entrepreneurs, it should be noted that responsibilization played a significant role in other historical periods.

Responsibilization is not an inherent entailment of devolution; there are decidedly more empowering and more democratic potentials for devolved decision making.