Polycentricity and adaptation: A multilevel selectionist approach

Alexander Schaefer

Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 2023, vol. 210, issue C, 265-287

Abstract: Polycentric organizations allow highly functional, or “group-beneficial,” outcomes to emerge from the myopic behavior of rule-guided individuals. How does polycentricity achieve this feat? Drawing on multilevel selection theory, I argue that polycentric orders support successful outcomes by defining group boundaries and reducing within-group fitness variance relative to between-group variance. The Price equation suggests that, by doing so, polycentric orders facilitate a process of collectively beneficial adaptation, including the capacity to evolve mechanisms for monitoring and punishing rule violators.

Keywords: Polycentricity; Group selection; Multilevel selection; Elinor Ostrom; Price equation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:210:y:2023:i:c:p:265-287

DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2023.04.004

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