The Case for Self-Governance

What are the arguments in favour of self-governance and polycentricity? In this video, we will consider two types of arguments.

The first concerns the effectiveness of self-governance, which can be broken down into several points. Self-governing institutions are uniquely good at 1) mobilising local knowledge, 2) dividing authority so that mistakes in institutional design are not shared universally, 3) increasing scope for trial and error, and 4) providing better incentives for individuals to devise effective solutions to shared problems.

The second argument is that self-governance arrangements are grounded in respect for human reason and agency. Let’s look at these arguments in closer detail.