In recent years, the world has witnessed a rapid increase in the frequency, transferability and intensity of crises, ranging from economic recessions and political instabilities to environmental disasters, global pandemics, energy crises and wars. This perpetual state of crisis, referred to as PermaCrisis, presents unique and unprecedented challenges for public policies. It demands a rethinking of traditional policy approaches and subsequently requires innovative solutions that can effectively mitigate the impacts of crises, while promoting long-term economic resilience and social cohesion.

This Research Topic aims to explore, analyze, and categorize the challenges and opportunities that arise for governance and public policies in the face of persistent and interconnected crises in Europe and beyond. By examining the intersection of public policies and the concept of PermaCrisis, prospective contributions will shed light on how public policies are (or should be) adjusted and transformed to address pressing issues affecting societies worldwide, as well as focus on the multidimensional (social, economic, political, etc.) consequences of the crises on these policies and on societies and economies in complex and uncertain environments.

We welcome contributions that engage with diverse disciplinary perspectives, including but not limited to public policy, political science, social policy, economics, sociology, international relations, and environmental studies. We encourage both theoretical and empirical studies that delve into the complexities of policymaking, within the context of PermaCrisis.

This Research Topic will focus, but is not limited, on the following pillars:

• Crisis Governance and Decision-Making: Analyzing the dynamics of policymaking and (evidence-based) policy responses during crises, evaluating the effectiveness of crisis response mechanisms, examining the role of leadership and decision-making in times of crisis.
• Policy Innovation and Adaptation: Exploring innovative public policy approaches (mainly in the policy realms of health, employment, education, public administration, Welfare State, etc.) for managing crises, assessing the adaptive capacity of public policies in rapidly changing environments, identifying best practices and lessons learned from policy experimentation.
• Resilience and Sustainability within Planetary Boundaries: Investigating policies that enhance social resilience and cohesion in the face of ongoing crises while respecting planetary boundaries. This pillar aims to examine the interplay between sustainability (environmental, economic, social) and crisis management, taking into consideration the concept of planetary boundaries. It seeks to assess the impact of long-term policy decisions on future crisis preparedness, ensuring that policies not only address immediate challenges but also contribute to the preservation of Earth's ecological balance.
• Global Governance and Cooperation: Analyzing the role of international institutions in addressing global crises, exploring the challenges and opportunities of cross-border public policy coordination, assessing the effectiveness of global policy responses in managing PermaCrisis.

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Frontiers in Political Science

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