There has been a rapid expansion of academic interest and publications on polycentricity. In the contemporary world, nearly all governance situations are polycentric, but people are not necessarily used to thinking this way. Governing Complexity provides an updated explanation of the concept of polycentric governance. The editors provide examples of it in contemporary settings involving complex natural resource systems, as well as a critical evaluation of the utility of the concept. With contributions from leading scholars in the field, this book makes the case that polycentric governance arrangements exist and it is possible for polycentric arrangements to perform well, persist for long periods, and adapt. Whether they actually function well, persist, or adapt depends on multiple factors that are reviewed and discussed, both theoretically and with examples from actual cases.

‘This book is both well written and carefully structured and edited, making it valuable not only for all social scientists interested in learning about the Ostroms’ take on polycentricity and public choice, but also for those interested in applying and extending the ideas of self-governance and polycentric governance to uncharted territories such as pandemics, financial crises, migration, climate change, and cybersecurity, among other pressing fields of inquiry.’

Pablo Paniagua Source: Public Choice