Building blocks of polycentric governance

Abstract

Success or failure of a polycentric system is a function of complex political and social processes, such as coordination between actors and venues to solve specialized policy problems. Yet there is currently no accepted method for isolating distinct processes of coordination, nor to understand how their variance affects polycentric governance performance. We develop and test a building-blocks approach that uses different patterns or "motifs" for measuring and comparing coordination longitudinally on Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Our approach confirms that polycentric governance comprises an evolving substrate of interdependent venues and actors over time. However, while issue specialization and actor participation can be improved through the mobilization of venues, such a strategy can also fragment overall polycentric capacity to resolve conflict and adapt to new problems. A building-blocks approach advances understanding and practice of polycentric governance by enabling sharper diagnosis of internal dynamics in complex environmental governance systems.

Decentralization and resource contributions within local governance networks: Evidence from health sector reform in Honduras

“…With respect to network environment, the major finding coming from this work is the close relationship between communication and resource contributions; unsurprisingly, communication appears to be a prerequisite or at least a facilitator of resource exchange as organizations in networks with greater densities of communication tend to contribute more resource ties than those where communication is sparse. This result also speaks to the growing body of research striving to more clearly identify different types of relationships or ties among actors within governance networks (Bodin et al, 2020; Morrison et al, 2023) and consider network dynamics as potential mechanisms linking policy reforms to system‐level performance (Muthathi et al, 2021; Zhou & Dai, 2023). Alongside prior work considering ties based on information‐sharing or participation in common venues, our findings emphasize resource contributions as an important type of network relationship and highlight the factors shaping this relatively strong form of collective action.…”

Polycentric Groundwater Governance: Insights from the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area

“…This formed the basis of polycentricity as it is understood today in governance literature. The key features of polycentricity involve multiple levels, self-organisation or autonomy and mutual reorganisation over time to match evolving needs and demands -with a strong bottom-up focus (Jordan et al, 2015;Morrison et al, 2023). A polycentric approach to groundwater governance therefore relates to the decentralisation and distribution of decision-making powers across different scales and sectors with effective coordination mechanisms that result in better governance outcomes (Pahl-wostl, 2017).…”

“…However, this is not always the case as in top-down approaches where there may be no avenue to contest or negotiate decisions (McGinnis, 2016). Second, the success and long-term sustainability of a polycentric system rests on effective coordination pathways -which is not a straightforward undertaking in a complex socio-ecological system (Morrison et al, 2023). Lastly, polycentric systems require significant levels of interaction across the various actors and policies which may result in actor fatigue (Morrison et al, 2023).…”

“…Second, the success and long-term sustainability of a polycentric system rests on effective coordination pathways -which is not a straightforward undertaking in a complex socio-ecological system (Morrison et al, 2023). Lastly, polycentric systems require significant levels of interaction across the various actors and policies which may result in actor fatigue (Morrison et al, 2023). Nonetheless, the empowering features of polycentricity that enables local level governance and bottom-up coordination are worthwhile to explore in groundwater governance.…”

Editorial introduction: Exploring theories and subtleties of the policy process

“…In the lead article “Building Blocks of Polycentric Governance,” Morrison et al (2023) argue that a polycentric system's success or failure depends on complex political and social coordination processes, making it challenging to isolate and analyze distinct coordination methods. To address this, a building‐blocks approach that uses different patterns or “motifs” has been developed and tested to measure and compare coordination over time in Australia's Great Barrier Reef.…”