Global Stability through Decentralization?: In Search for the Right Balance between Central and Decentral Solutions

by Peter A. Wilderer (Editor), Martin Grambow (Editor)

Overview

The authors of this book, who represent a broad range of scientific disciplines, discuss the issue of centralized versus decentralized control and regulation in the context of sustainable development. The stability and resilience of complex technical, economic, societal and political systems are commonly assumed to be highly dependent on the effectiveness of sophisticated, mainly centralized regulation and control systems and governance structures, respectively. In nature, however, life is mainly self-regulated by widespread, mainly DNA-encoded control mechanisms. The fact that life has endured for more than 2.4 billion years suggests that, for man-made systems, decentralized control concepts are superior to centralized ones. The authors discuss benefits and drawbacks of both approaches to achieving sustainability, providing valuable information for students and professional decision makers alike.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783319796116
Publisher:	Springer International Publishing
Publication date:	04/01/2019
Series:	Strategies for Sustainability
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2016
Pages:	200
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Peter A. Wilderer, Institute for Advanced Study, Technische Universitaet Muenchen, GermanyMartin Grambow, Head of the Division on Water Management and Conservation of Soil, Bavarian State Ministry of the Environment and Consumer Protection, Munich, Germany

Table of Contents

Regulation and Control Processes in Ecosystems.- Control and Management of Man-Made Systems.- Governance of SocietiesTowards Sustainable Economies.- Sanitary Engineering: Central or Decentral Solutions?.- Communication, Mobility and Logistics.- Summary and Recommendations.