A Polycentric Approach for Addressing Wicked Social Problems

Jordan K. Lofthouse () and Leah Kral
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Jordan K. Lofthouse: Mercatus Center at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22201, USA
Leah Kral: Mercatus Center at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22201, USA

Administrative Sciences, 2025, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-23

Abstract: Most social problems are “wicked”, meaning that they are highly complex, intractable, open-ended, and multi-dimensional. In wicked learning environments, information is ambiguous, feedback may be slow, or causes and effects are difficult to ascertain. Using the insights from the Bloomington school of political economy, this paper argues that a polycentric approach is the most effective way to address wicked social problems. Polycentric systems are characterized by multiple, overlapping decision-making centers that have varying degrees of independence and interdependence. When decision-makers in governments, markets, and civil society tackle complex social problems simultaneously, various forms of cooperation and contestation emerge. These interactions subsequently produce the relevant knowledge and incentives to address wicked social problems on a variety of margins. Centralized, one-size-fits-all approaches are less likely to succeed because they have weaker epistemic and incentive-related qualities. We use two examples to illustrate our argument, including post-disaster recovery and climate change mitigation.

Keywords: polycentricity; institutional analysis; institutions; wicked problems; learning; adaptation; Elinor Ostrom; cooperation; contestation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L M M0 M1 M10 M11 M12 M14 M15 M16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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