
This record contains the preprint of the paper: “Recursive Polycentric Governance Based on the Local–Neighbor–Distant Triad.” The paper proposes a formal framework for polycentric governance based on a recursive triadic structure composed of localities, neighboring collectivities, and structurally distant collectivities. The model introduces a distributed mechanism of normative regulation based on judgments of inacceptability rather than centralized authority, allowing systemic coherence to emerge horizontally without suppressing local political autonomy. The paper includes: a formal structural specification of the protocol, demonstrable mathematical properties (monotonicity, termination, procedural safety), and an exploratory multi-agent simulation implemented on the Canadian federal structure. The simulation code and datasets used in the study are archived separately as a software record on Zenodo under DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18303790 Source code repository:https://github.com/sylebel-cdr/polycentric-governance-simulation Project website:https://sylebel.net This deposit corresponds to the exact version of the paper used for public dissemination prior to journal submission.
Governance, Complex systems, Collective action, Political science
Governance, Complex systems, Collective action, Political science
