An introduction to polycentric governing

Abstract

This chapter sets out the overall motivation, context, concepts, and outline of the book. As its motivation, the volume is instigated by a question both compact in its formulation and sweeping in its implications: namely, how are we being governed today? The chapter notes that this question has attracted much creative thought across disciplines and perspectives over recent decades. However, the various approaches have rarely come into a cross-fertilizing conversation with one another. This book aims to effect such a dialogue around the core notion of polycentric governing as well as more specific themes of techniques, power and legitimacy. The chapter distinguishes four broad streams of theorizing polycentric governing: organizational, socio-legal, relational and structural. This fourfold categorization also informs the four-part organization of the book.