Polycentrism in Literature & Literary Theory

Polycentrism: Etymology/Term, Meanings and Concept

Etymology/Term:

Polycentrism derives from the Greek roots “poly,” meaning many, and “kentron,” meaning center. In its literal sense, it refers to a system or structure with multiple centers. The term is often employed in various fields, including sociology, economics, and political science, to describe situations where power, authority, or influence is dispersed among several actors or entities rather than concentrated in a single source.

Meanings and Concept:

Sociological Polycentrism: In sociology, polycentrism describes a social structure where multiple centers of authority or influence exist within a society, such as decentralized governance systems or networks of autonomous communities.

Economic Polycentrism: In economics, polycentrism refers to the distribution of economic power and decision-making across various entities, including businesses, governments, and international organizations, as opposed to centralized control by a single entity or government.
Political Polycentrism: Within political science, polycentrism denotes a political system characterized by the presence of multiple centers of power, such as federal states with autonomous regions or multi-party systems where power is distributed among several political parties.
Cultural Polycentrism: Cultural polycentrism refers to the coexistence and interaction of multiple cultural centers or hubs, where diverse cultural practices, values, and norms flourish, contributing to cultural diversity and pluralism.

Environmental Polycentrism: In environmental studies, polycentrism relates to governance systems that involve multiple actors, such as governments, NGOs, and local communities, in managing environmental resources and addressing environmental challenges at various scales.

Polycentrism: Definition of a Theoretical Term

Polycentrism, as a theoretical term, refers to a social or organizational structure characterized by the presence of multiple centers of power, authority, or decision-making. In polycentric systems, governance, control, or influence is dispersed among various actors or entities rather than being concentrated in a single source. This concept is often employed in fields such as sociology, economics, and political science to describe decentralized or pluralistic arrangements where autonomy and diversity are valued.

Polycentrism: Theorists, Works and Arguments

Theorists:

Elinor Ostrom: Known for her work on polycentric governance, Ostrom argued that complex problems can be effectively managed through the coordination of multiple, overlapping centers of authority and decision-making, particularly in the management of common-pool resources.

Vincent Ostrom: Co-founder of the Bloomington School of political economy, Vincent Ostrom expanded on the concept of polycentricity, emphasizing the importance of self-governance and local autonomy in addressing social and political challenges.

Works:

“Governing the Commons” by Elinor Ostrom: In this seminal work, Ostrom explores the principles and practices of polycentric governance, drawing on empirical studies of resource management institutions to demonstrate the effectiveness of decentralized decision-making.
“The Meaning of Democracy and the Vulnerability of Democracies” by Vincent Ostrom: In this book, Ostrom examines the relationship between polycentrism and democracy, arguing that decentralized governance structures are essential for preserving democratic values and fostering citizen participation.

Arguments:

Effectiveness of Polycentric Governance: Theorists argue that polycentric systems enable more adaptive and responsive governance by distributing authority and decision-making to multiple levels and actors, thereby increasing flexibility and innovation in addressing complex problems.
Resilience and Sustainability: Proponents of polycentrism assert that decentralized governance structures are more resilient and sustainable in the face of environmental, economic, and social challenges, as they allow for experimentation, learning, and adaptation at the local level.
Promotion of Democratic Values: Advocates argue that polycentric systems promote democratic values such as participation, accountability, and subsidiarity by empowering local communities and fostering citizen engagement in decision-making processes.

Polycentrism: Major Characteristics

Multiple Centers: The defining feature is the presence of multiple centers of power, authority, or influence within a system. This can apply to politics, governance, ideology, culture, economy, or other spheres.
Decentralization: Power and decision-making are dispersed, not concentrated in a single entity. This can involve regional autonomy, independent actors, competing ideas, or diverse approaches.
Interdependence: While distinct, the various centers are not completely isolated. They interact, compete, collaborate, and influence each other, creating a complex dynamic.

Fluidity: The distribution of power and influence can be dynamic and constantly evolving. Centers may rise and fall, alliances may shift, and new actors may emerge.
Challenges: Balancing competing interests, managing conflict, and coordinating action can be complex and challenging. However, polycentrism can also foster flexibility, innovation, and adaptability.

Additional aspects to consider:

Degree of autonomy: The level of independence enjoyed by each center varies depending on the context.

Nature of interaction: The relationships between centers can be cooperative, competitive, or even conflictual.
Emergence vs. design: Polycentrism may arise spontaneously or be deliberately designed into a system.

Polycentrism: Relevance in Literary Theories

Theory	Relevance of Polycentrism	Examples
New Historicism	Analyzes texts in relation to multiple competing ideologies, discourses, and power structures within a historical context.	Exploring how a novel reflects both dominant and marginalized voices of its era.
Postcolonialism	Challenges the idea of a single, authoritative interpretation of texts, acknowledging the diverse perspectives of colonizer and colonized.	Examining how a colonial text represents both the colonizer’s and the colonized’s viewpoints.
Feminism	Deconstructs the patriarchal assumptions underlying texts and celebrates the multiplicity of female experiences and voices.	Analyzing how a female character resists or negotiates different forms of patriarchal control within the narrative.
Reader-Response Theory	Recognizes the multiple interpretations possible for a text based on individual readers’ diverse experiences and backgrounds.	Exploring how different readers interpret the same ambiguous character or plot point in contrasting ways.
Intertextuality	Acknowledges the presence of multiple texts and voices within a single text, creating a network of interconnections and interpretations.	Analyzing how a novel references and reworks elements from other literary works or cultural sources.
Cultural Studies	Examines literature in relation to broader cultural forces and power dynamics, highlighting the multiplicity of voices and perspectives within a society.	Exploring how a text reflects and critiques different class, ethnic, or religious viewpoints within its cultural context.

Note: This table provides a brief overview, and each theory interacts with polycentrism in its own nuanced way. Additionally, some theories not listed here (e.g., deconstruction, queer theory) can also incorporate polycentric approaches.

Polycentrism: Application in Critiques

1. “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare:

Multiple Centers of Power: The King, Queen, Hamlet, Polonius, Claudius, each vying for control and influence.
Decentralization: Internal struggles within the royal family, competing factions among the nobility, and Hamlet’s struggle with individual conscience.
Interdependence: Characters manipulate, rely on, and clash with each other, creating a web of shifting alliances and betrayals.

Fluidity: Power changes hands through murder, intrigue, and madness, highlighting the precariousness of authority.

2. “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe:

Multiple Centers of Influence: Traditional Igbo culture, British colonialism, Christian missionaries, each vying for dominance.
Decentralization: Conflicts between villages, differing interpretations of tradition, and individual characters navigating multiple pressures.

Interdependence: Igbo customs interact with colonial demands, creating cultural clashes and hybrid identities.
Fluidity: Traditional authority erodes, new power structures emerge, and Okonkwo struggles to adapt to a changing world.

3. “One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez:

Multiple Centers of Existence: Macondo, the Buendía family saga, mythical and historical forces, each shaping the narrative.

Decentralization: Magical realism blurs boundaries between reality and fantasy, highlighting the multiple lenses through which history is interpreted.
Interdependence: Characters’ lives are intertwined with political revolutions, natural disasters, and family curses, demonstrating the interconnectedness of individuals and society.
Fluidity: Time melts, generations blend, and cyclical patterns reveal the constant evolution of Macondo’s identity.

4. “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald:

Multiple Centers of Desire: The American Dream, wealth, social status, Gatsby’s obsession with Daisy, each representing competing visions of success.
Decentralization: The American Dream is fractured along class lines, exposing its unattainability for some. Characters chase individual desires, often clashing with social norms.
Interdependence: Gatsby’s extravagant lifestyle relies on illegal activity, highlighting the corrupt underbelly of wealth and American materialism.

Fluidity: Social mobility is both possible and elusive, leaving characters like Gatsby chasing an ever-shifting image of success.

Remember: These are just starting points. You can delve deeper into each critique by analyzing specific examples, exploring additional characters/events, and considering how other theories intersect with polycentric interpretations.

Polycentrism: Relevant Terms

Term	Description
Multipolarity	Multiple centers of power in international relations.
Decentrism	Dispersal of power and authority away from a single center.
Heterogeneity	Presence of diverse and distinct elements within a system.
Pluralism	Acceptance and respect for multiple perspectives and interests.
Rhizome	Networked structure with no central point, emphasizing connections.
Multiplicity	Abundance of diverse and interconnected elements.
Heterarchy	System with elements existing at multiple levels of importance.
Intersectionalism	Analysis of overlapping systems of oppression and power.
Transdisciplinarity	Integration of knowledge from multiple disciplines.
Connectivism	Learning through creating connections between diverse sources.

Polycentrism: Suggested Readings

Agnew, John. Polyarchy: Global Governance and the Dynamics of Inequality: WorldCat: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/13540661221098218

Ashcroft, Bill, Gareth Griffiths, and Helen Tiffin. The Post-colonial Studies Reader: WorldCat: https://www.worldcat.org/title/The-post-colonial-studies-reader/oclc/60323144
DeLanda, Manuel. Assemblage Theory: Edinburgh University Press: https://edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-assemblage-theory.html
Emirbayer, Mustafa, and Ann M. Szelényi. Varieties of Capitalism: The Institutional Framework of Contemporary Competitive Markets: Oxford University Press: https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/hall/files/vofcintro.pdf

Foucault, Michel. Power/Knowledge: Selected Interviews and Other Writings, 1972-1977: Pantheon Books: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Knowledge-Selected-Interviews-1972-1977/dp/039473954X
Gupta, Akhil, and James Ferguson. Anthropological Locations: Boundaries and Grounds of Fieldwork: University of California Press: https://we.riseup.net/assets/364208/Akhil+Gupta%2C+James+Ferguson-Anthropological+Locations+Boundaries+and+Grounds+of+a+Field+Science+%281997%29.pdf
Hall, Stuart. The Production of Culture/Cultures of the Future: Routledge: https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur/production-of-culturecultures-of-production/book206046

Latour, Bruno. Reassembling the Social: An Introduction to Actor-Network-Theory: Oxford University Press: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/reassembling-the-social-9780199256044?lang=en&cc=nl
Rosenau, James N. Turbulence in World Politics: A Theory of Change and Continuity: Princeton University Press: [[invalid URL removed]]([invalid URL removed])
Young, Iris Marion. Justice and the Politics of Difference: Princeton University Press: https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691235165/justice-and-the-politics-of-difference