Governing Differences
Social Diversity, Polycentric Political Economy and Modus Vivendi
Published on 30. May 2025
Book
Hardback
220 pages
978-1-0353-4857-2 (ISBN)
Description
This book discusses the crisis in modern governance rooted in the social fragmentation of modern society, the expanding diversity of values, beliefs and lifestyles generated by globalization and the technological revolution. Chapters advocate for a convergence of the institutional theory of polycentricity and the political philosophy of modus vivendi - live and let live - as a basic conceptual framework to uphold a peaceful and tolerant society, while presenting detailed analysis of a wide range of case studies.
This book is a critical resource for students and scholars of political science and public policy in addition to those studying political philosophy, sociology, moral theory or institutional systems. Policymakers and practitioners involved in governance will also find this invaluable due to its timely focus on the tensions generated by pluralism and how they can be alleviated.
This book is a critical resource for students and scholars of political science and public policy in addition to those studying political philosophy, sociology, moral theory or institutional systems. Policymakers and practitioners involved in governance will also find this invaluable due to its timely focus on the tensions generated by pluralism and how they can be alleviated.
Reviews / Votes
'This fascinating volume ?is packed with insightful contributions exploring the affinities between modus vivendi political theory and governance arrangements based on polycentricity. The editors and authors are to be congratulated for producing a collection, encompassing both abstract philosophical analysis and applied case studies, that will inform and inspire future work in political economy.' -- Paul Lewis, King's College London, UK 'This book on governing differences by Paul Dragos Aligica and Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili is of utmost relevance to the present day, when we are faced with an urgent need to respond positively to deep cleavages and value heterogeneity straining existing institutions and regimes. I know of no other books in comparative politics that address the issues so well.' -- Filippo Sabetti, McGill University, Montreal, CanadaMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cheltenham
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-0353-4857-2 (9781035348572)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Edited by Paul Dragos Aligica, Professor, University of Bucharest and Senior Research Fellow, Mercatus Center at George Mason University and Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili, Professor, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs and Founding Director, Center for Governance and Markets, University of Pittsburgh, USA
Content
Contents
Introduction: modus vivendi and polycentric governance systems 1
Paul Dragos Aligica and Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili
PART I Foundational perspectives 22
1 Liberalism, modus vivendi, and polycentricity: mapping the
terrain 23
David McCabe
2 From ideational to social: reframing modus vivendi 52
Aylon Manor
3 Two perspectives on the problem of peaceful coexistence:
John Gray's modus vivendi and David Mitrany's functionalism 74
Robert Gabriel Ciobanu
PART II Exploratory case studies 94
4 Embracing polygamy: a modus vivendi response to the human
rights position 95
Rebecca Yemo
5 Blockchain contractualism as modus vivendi: a praxis for
reconfiguring post-colonial state-building 111
Kaleb Demew
6 Liberal democracy, non-Western governance, and the
Bloomington School 135
Bryan Cheang
7 The government of things: acknowledging non-human agents
in institutional design 153
Alexandru Stefan Dincovici
8 Modus vivendi, polycentricity, and "decolonizing" the study
of the urban-rural divide 171
Kris Kanthak
9 Coproduced collective security and the resilience of modus
vivendi pluralism 185
Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili and Ali Palida
Introduction: modus vivendi and polycentric governance systems 1
Paul Dragos Aligica and Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili
PART I Foundational perspectives 22
1 Liberalism, modus vivendi, and polycentricity: mapping the
terrain 23
David McCabe
2 From ideational to social: reframing modus vivendi 52
Aylon Manor
3 Two perspectives on the problem of peaceful coexistence:
John Gray's modus vivendi and David Mitrany's functionalism 74
Robert Gabriel Ciobanu
PART II Exploratory case studies 94
4 Embracing polygamy: a modus vivendi response to the human
rights position 95
Rebecca Yemo
5 Blockchain contractualism as modus vivendi: a praxis for
reconfiguring post-colonial state-building 111
Kaleb Demew
6 Liberal democracy, non-Western governance, and the
Bloomington School 135
Bryan Cheang
7 The government of things: acknowledging non-human agents
in institutional design 153
Alexandru Stefan Dincovici
8 Modus vivendi, polycentricity, and "decolonizing" the study
of the urban-rural divide 171
Kris Kanthak
9 Coproduced collective security and the resilience of modus
vivendi pluralism 185
Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili and Ali Palida