Panarchy: A Summary
Paul-Emile du Puydt (1860)
In Paul-Emile du Puydt's "Panarchy," the author discusses the concept of the same name. He defines panarchy as a system of governance that incorporates the diversity and complexity of human society and the need for different governance systems to coexist and interact, just as various human communities do.
According to du Puydt, panarchy is a framework that allows for both individual freedom and collective responsibility. It acknowledges that different individuals and groups have different needs, values, and beliefs and that these differences should be respected and accommodated.
Du Puydt argues that the current nation-state system is inadequate for addressing the complexity of modern society and that panarchy offers a more flexible and adaptable approach to governance. In panarchy, individuals and groups would be free to choose the governance systems that best align with their needs and values, and these systems would interact and evolve in response to changing circumstances.
The author also emphasizes the importance of voluntary participation and consent in a panarchy and du Puydt warns against the dangers of coercive government. He proposes that a panarchy could be established through the gradual decentralization of power and by creating multiple, overlapping jurisdictions that can coexist and collaborate—settling their disputes in common law courts.
Overall, du Puydt's "Panarchy" offers a vision of governance that emphasizes diversity, flexibility, and voluntary participation and challenges the traditional nation-state governance model.