Polycentric Systems of Governance: A Theoretical Model for the Commons
TLDR
In this paper, the authors develop a theoretical model of a polycentric governance system with a focus on the features necessary or conducive for achieving the functioning predicted by commons scholars, which is comprised of attributes, which constitute the definitional elements, and enabling conditions, which specify additional institutional features for achieving functionality in the commons.Abstract:
Polycentricity is a fundamental concept in commons scholarship that connotes a complex form of governance with multiple centers of semiautonomous decision making. If the decision-making centers take each other into account in competitive and cooperative relationships and have recourse to conflict resolution mechanisms, they may be regarded as a polycentric governance system. In the context of natural resource governance, commons scholars have ascribed a number of advantages to polycentric governance systems, most notably enhanced adaptive capacity, provision of good institutional fit for natural resource systems, and mitigation of risk on account of redundant governance actors and institutions. Despite the popularity of the concept, systematic development of polycentricity, including its posited advantages, is lacking in the commons literature. To build greater clarity and specificity around the concept, we develop a theoretical model of a polycentric governance system with a focus on the features necessary or conducive for achieving the functioning predicted by commons scholars. The model is comprised of attributes, which constitute the definitional elements, and enabling conditions, which specify additional institutional features for achieving functionality in the commons. The model we propose takes the concept a step further toward specificity without sacrificing the generality necessary for contextual application and further development.read more
Citations
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Global Sustainable Development Report 2019: The Future is Now – Science for Achieving Sustainable Development
Peter Messerli,Endah Murniningtyas,Parfait M. Eloundou-Enyegue,Ernest G. Foli,Eeva Furman,Amanda Glassman,Gonzalo Hernandez Licona,Eun Mee Kim,Wolfgang Lutz,Jean Paul Moatti,Katherine Richardson,Muhammad Saidam,David Smith,Jurgis Kazimieras Staniškis,Jean-Pascal van Ypersele +14 more
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The black box of power in polycentric environmental governance
Tiffany H. Morrison,W.N. Adger,Katrina Brown,Maria Carmen Lemos,Dave Huitema,Dave Huitema,Jacob Phelps,Louisa Evans,Philippa J. Cohen,Andrew M. Song,Rachel A. Turner,Tara Quinn,Terry P. Hughes +12 more
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors draw together diverse social science perspectives and research into a variety of cases to show how different types of power shape rule setting, issue construction, and policy implementation in polycentric governance.
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Blockchain as a confidence machine: The problem of trust & challenges of governance
TL;DR: It is claimed that blockchain technology relies on cryptographic rules, mathematics, and game-theoretical incentives in order to increase confidence in the operations of a computational system, yet such an increase in confidence ultimately relies on the proper operation and governance of the underlying blockchain-based network, which requires trusting a variety of actors.
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Environmental governance: A practical framework to guide design, evaluation, and analysis
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Social science perspectives on drivers of and responses to global climate change.
Andrew K. Jorgenson,Shirley J. Fiske,Klaus Hubacek,Jia Li,Thomas H. McGovern,Torben C. Rick,Juliet B. Schor,William Solecki,Richard York,Ariela Zycherman +9 more
TL;DR: A review of recent anthropological, archeological, geographical, and sociological research on anthropogenic drivers of climate change, with a particular focus on drivers of carbon emissions, mitigation and adaptation, concludes with a summary of key lessons offered by the four disciplines.
References
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Governing the Commons: The Evolution of Institutions for Collective Action
TL;DR: In this paper, an institutional approach to the study of self-organization and self-governance in CPR situations is presented, along with a framework for analysis of selforganizing and selfgoverning CPRs.
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Governing the Commons: The Evolution of Institutions for Collective Action
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