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  • © 2016

Global Stability through Decentralization?

In Search for the Right Balance between Central and Decentral Solutions

  • A unique, holistic approach to central/decentral regulation and control
  • Covers aspects of ecology through engineering, economy, sociology up to political governance
  • Written by experts from various disciplines

Part of the book series: Strategies for Sustainability (STSU)

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Table of contents (8 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxvii
  2. Regulation and Control Processes in Ecosystems

    • Wolfgang Haber, Jürg Bloesch
    Pages 1-19
  3. Control and Management of Man-Made Systems

    • Patrick Dewilde, Ulrich Drost, Martin Grambow, Bernhard Schätz, Martin Korndörfer
    Pages 21-73
  4. Governance of Societies

    • Christian Werthmann, Ortwin Renn, Anastassia Makarieva, Victor Gorshkov, Peter A. Wilderer, Verena Risse et al.
    Pages 75-115
  5. Towards Sustainable Economies

    • Michael von Hauff, Franz-Theo Gottwald, Katharina Stöckl, Jelena Kurz, Carolin Böker
    Pages 117-138
  6. Sanitary Engineering: Central or Decentral Solutions?

    • Peter A. Wilderer, Martin Grambow, Asher Brenner, Werner P. Bauer
    Pages 139-164
  7. Communication, Mobility and Logistics

    • Klaus Mainzer, Verena Huber, Joachim Schütter
    Pages 165-180
  8. The Wildbad-Kreuth-Declaration

    • Peter A. Wilderer, Martin Grambow
    Pages 181-191
  9. Erratum to: Global Stability through Decentralization?

    • Peter A. Wilderer, Martin Grambow
    Pages E1-E2
  10. Back Matter

    Pages 193-200

About this book

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.

Editors and Affiliations

  • Institute for Earth System Preservation (IESP), Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany

    Peter A. Wilderer

  • Umwelt und Verbraucherschutz, Bayerisches Staatsministerium für, Munich, Germany

    Martin Grambow

About the editors

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

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access