Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to contextualise and examine critically the collection of the papers dealing with the broad and multi-faceted question of risk, threats and challenges governments are exposed to in the 21st century. To this end, the concept of 'distributed risks and threats' is introduced to account of challenges spread across the context, in which governments are embedded. Design/methodology/approach This paper offers a critical insight into the content of the issue. Findings The key argument that this paper advances is that while the nature of risks, threats and challenges that governments are exposed to today is qualitatively new and their scope unprecedented, a lot of governments' capacity remains idle, i.e. ready to be deployed to address these risks, threats and challenges. Research limitations/implications As a review paper, the points conveyed in this paper sketch and highlight, rather than explore in-depth, the possible and new research avenues that the collection of papers prompts. Practical implications This paper highlights that the - developed over the centuries - capacity of the government to act and address risks and threats is incommensurate with the agility of challenges borne in the 21st century. Originality/value This paper introduces the concept of 'distributed risks and threats' to account of the qualitatively new and hybrid challenges spread across the context, in which governments are embedded. This conceptualization of risks and threats, or challenges, offers a handy way to contextualize the variety of ways in which the government is challenged today.