6 - Multidimensional and Polycentric Structures

Summary

In the resilience theories, multilevel, cross-scale and polycentric governance approaches represent a governance approach that can match ecological dynamic structures and scales, as well as a structure providing for a diversity of measures. Multilevel and polycentric governance are generally displayed in how societies are governed with dynamic levels, including nested, intertwined contacts, and cooperation among a number of actors and organizations. The legal system is by nature similar to resilience governance structures when it comes to multilevel governance. Law is developed, structured, designed, adopted, and implemented at many different scales and levels in parallel and is often governed by separate authorities or administrative organizations. Law is constituted by nested systems and measures that function in parallel at different geographical and temporal scales. However, in the perspective of matching law with resilience, this feature calls for a review of, e.g., authority, coordination, review, and the implementation in overlapping, polycentric legal systems.