Climate Change and Three Models of Governance to Deal with it: Polycentricity, Experimentalist, and the Viable System Model

Abstract

We consider three models of governance to improve upon our present governance of climate change: Polycentricity associated with Nobel prize winner Elinor Ostrom; Experimentalist Governance associated with Bob Keohane, Charles Sabel, and David Victor; and the Viable System Model associated with Stafford Beer. We first consider governance itself versus government. We then explain each model, its origins, and rationale. Finally, by combining the strengths of each model, we synthesise a combined model that might be able to improve on each taken separately, on the present model, and be applicable to climate change.