Global Challenges, Governance, and Complexity

There is an increased interest in integrating insights from the complexity sciences to studies of governance and policy. While the issue has been debated, and the term of ‘complexity’ has multiple and sometimes contested interpretations, it is also clear the field has spurred a number of interesting theoretical and empirical efforts. This book includes key thinkers in the field, elaborates on different analytical approaches in studying governance, institutions and policy in the face of complexity, and showcases empirical applications and insights. It is edited by Victor Galaz, Programme Director of the Beijer Institute’s Complexity, Technology and Governance programme, and Associate Professor in Political Science, Stockholm Resilience Centre

Through exploring the application of a complex systems lens on important global challenges, this timely book offers key insights into successful governance in our changing world. It illustrates a number of theoretical and methodological approaches to help understand the role of decision-making, policies, institutions and networks in navigating complexity. It is edited by Victor Galaz, Programme Director of the Beijer Institute’s Complexity, Technology and Governance programme, and Associate Professor in Political Science, Stockholm Resilience Centre

Bringing together leading international scholars, Global Challenges, Governance, and Complexity elaborates important features of complex adaptive systems and their connections to key governmental and political issues. These include: complexity leadership, environmental and sustainability challenges, the role of economics, policy-making, legal and social dimensions of systemic risks, and the effectiveness of polycentricity. Chapters look at novel research in the field, highlighting how a diverse range of disciplinary approaches to governance can improve our understanding of complex global challenges.

Political science and sustainability science scholars, particularly those with a keen interest in environmental politics and sustainability, will greatly benefit from reading this book. The insights offered will also be of use to policy makers wishing to gain a more thorough understanding of the field.

Link to book