Managing the climate commons at the nexus of ecology, behaviour and economics

Sustainably managing coupled ecological–economic systems requires not only an understanding of the environmental factors that affect them, but also knowledge of the interactions and feedback cycles that operate between resource dynamics and activities attributable to human intervention. The socioeconomic dynamics, in turn, call for an investigation of the behavioural drivers behind human action. We argue that a multidisciplinary approach is needed in order to tackle the increasingly pressing and intertwined environmental challenges faced by modern societies. Academic contributions to climate change policy have been constrained by methodological and terminological differences, so we discuss how programmes aimed at cross-disciplinary education and involvement in governance may help to unlock scholars' potential to propose new solutions

Recalibrating Europe's semi-sovereign welfare states

Since the late 1970s, all the developed welfare states of the European Union (EU) have been recasting the basic policy mix on which their national systems of social protection were built after 1945. Intensified global competition, industrial restructuring, budgetary austerity, changing family relations and demographic ageing have thrown into question the once sovereign and stable welfare systems of the Golden Age. Moreover, domestic issues of work and welfare have more recently become ever more intertwined with processes of European political and economic integration. In this respect, it is fair to say that in the EU we have entered an era of semi-sovereign welfare states. Together, these forces have produced a momentum of system change that goes far beyond the popular notion of welfare state retrenchment. The new welfare edifice suggests a departure from a politics against markets social-protection perspective, towards more of a politics with markets, social-investment approach. This paper tries to capture the comprehensive character of the ongoing effort to recast the architecture of the post-war social contract in terms of the concept of welfare recalibration for both heuristic and prescriptive purposes. It also addresses the engagement of the EU in ongoing processes of recalibrating Europes semi-sovereign welfare states. In the policy debate the term European social model is often invoked. Yet such generalisations gloss over the immense differences in welfare state development, design and institutional make-up across the EUs 25 member states and, as a consequence, fail to capture the complexity of contingently convergent reform trajectories in the recent period. -- Seit den späten 70er Jahren stellen alle hochentwickelten Sozialstaaten der EU den Mix an Sozial-Politiken, wie er nach 1945 in den jeweiligen Staaten geschaffen wurde, auf den Prüfstand. Die intensivierte Globalisierung, der Umbau der industriellen Produktion, Budgetprobleme, sich verändernde Familienbeziehungen und eine alternde Bevölkerung führen zu immer mehr Zweifeln an dem lange Zeit bewährten und stabilen wohlfahrtsstaatlichen System des goldenen Zeitalters. Dazu kommt, dass in letzter Zeit bisher nationale Themen wie Arbeit und Wohlfahrtsstaat immer stärker in die Prozesse der europäischen Integration hineingezogen werden. In diesem Blickwinkel gesehen ist es angemessen zu sagen, dass in der EU die Ära der nur noch halbsouveränen Staaten begonnen hat. All dies zusammengenommen kann man sagen, dass sich eine Konstellation ergeben hat, in der sich ein Systemwechsel vollzieht, der weit über die populäre Wahrnehmung der Öffentlichkeit vom Abbau des Sozialstaats hinausgeht. Die Konstruktion der neuen Wohlfahrtspolitik bedeutet den Abschied von einer Politik des sozialen Beschützens gegen die Märkte hin zu einer Politik sozialer Investitionen mit den Märkten. In diesem Papier wird versucht, die umfassende Bedeutung der fortdauernden Bemühungen zur Umgestaltung der Architektur des Sozialkontrakts aus der Nachkriegszeit zu erfassen - und zwar sowohl für heuristische Zwecke wie auch als Handlungsanleitung. Die Analyse bezieht sich auch auf das Engagement der EU in den andauernden Prozessen, die halbsouveränen Wohlfahrtsstaaten Europas neu zu justieren. In politischen Diskussionen wird oft der Begriff vom Europäischen Sozialmodell beschworen.

Linking Disparate Approaches to the Study of Social Norms: An Example from Northern Siberia

This article examines altruistic social norms among the Dolgans and the Nganasans in Arctic Siberia, drawing on and integrating experimental game theory and semiotic approaches. The article demonstrates the complementarity of these two methodologies in order to more fully understand how sharing is promoted over individual self-aggrandizement in a communal-resource property regime. Any theory of social norms should be of some practical benefit for solving current environmental dilemmas, as well as for increasing understanding of the factors lending sustainability to human-environment relationships. With that goal in mind, the article presents results of experimental games conducted in the Taimyr Autonomous Region in 2003, along with an analysis of indigenous communication (sayings, aphorisms, taboos, etc.) aimed at the promotion of altruistic social norms. A synthesis of the two approaches is outlined with implications for the broader literature on hunting peoples across the north and beyond

The ‘consensus approach’ of the European Court of Human Rights as a rational response to complexity

The present chapter uses complexity theory to argue that the so-called ‘consensus approach’ of the European Court of Human Rights (henceforth ‘the Court’ or ‘ECtHR’) can be a rational response to the cognitively demanding task of interpreting and applying the European Convention of Human Rights (henceforth ‘the Convention’ or ‘ECHR’) to member states of the Council of Europe. The chapter begins by setting the stage in two ways. First, drawing on recent literature on the subject, I provide a succinct sketch of a number of complexity theory concepts and argue that they can be relevant to the study of the ECHR. Second, I briefly present the consensus approach and some of the criticisms that have been addressed against it, with specific reference to the moral reading of the Convention. The moral reading of the ECHR, associated with Ronald Dworkin’s legal interpretivism and defended by leading commentators such as George Letsas (Letsas 2007), is one of the most forceful sources of criticism of the consensus approach. It is also an independently plausible and sophisticated theory of interpretation of the ECHR. Thus, using complexity theory to show that, despite initial appearances, the moral reading of the Convention could be compatible with the consensus approach is an interesting result in itself

A Model for Defunding: An Evidence-based Statute for Behavioral Health Crisis Response

Too many Black persons and other persons of color are dying at the hands of law enforcement, leading many to call for the defunding of police. These deaths were directly caused by excessive use of force by police officers, but were also driven by upstream and institutional factors that include structural racism, institutional bias, and a historic culture of racialized violence. Public outcry against racial inequities has increased as the authority of police departments has expanded to include not only the authority to respond to and investigate criminal activity, but also to respond to calls regarding behavioral health issues and houselessness. Defunding police raises questions about how budget cuts should affect the types of services provided by police departments and what new and improved responses may look like. While advocates may have identified model programs that they hope will be the answer to defunding the police, many community organizers lack the legal training necessary to fully develop these models into policy proposals that institutionalize their visions in ways that protect against law enforcement co-option and make their visions a reality. This article proposes a model law (the Model Behavioral Health Response Team Act) that can be tailored to meet the needs of local and state policymakers endeavoring to create a new institution to replace the police in responding to mental health, substance use, and housing crisis. The institution created by this model act is evidence-based, person-centered, and community-driven. It is informed by empirical evidence on crisis response, federal guidelines, and a case-study of political activity motivated by the use of police excess of force that resulted in the death of a Black man in Greensboro, N.C

Exploring barriers and enablers to the implementation of feasible interventions that address antibiotic resistance in Romania

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global public threat to human and animal health and sustainable development with significant economic and societal implications. The key drivers of AMR are numerous with one key one being non-prudent use (whether misuse or overuse) of antibiotics. Non-prudent use practices are: inappropriate prescribing, self-medication and antibiotic use without prescription, non-adherence to appropriate or recommended treatment. These may result from deficient patient-doctor interactions, treatment characteristics, access to treatment, storing of antibiotics at home, limited access to healthcare, and from intentions to self-medicate. A significant number of these factors are directly associated with human behavior and occur in a community setting. The Behavior Change Wheel (BCW), which proposes the identification of capabilities, opportunities and motivations that may dictate or change a certain behavior, is a useful framework to further understand different stakeholders’ behaviors that drive antibiotic consumption (ABC) and AMR as well as related interventions. Furthermore, while antibiotics are extensively used in the community, most interventions implemented thus far are set in health facilities and are delivered or are targeting healthcare professionals. This approach misses other community spaces and engagement opportunities. Romania has the highest total ABC for systemic use in the European Union (EU). Data on public knowledge on antibiotics in this country, shows a decline in knowledge compared to previous years. All these suggests that the Romanian setting would benefit from addressing related ABC and AMR issues through community-based interventions. Furthermore, the Romanian health and social systems are confronted with challenges that parallel or will be encountered by other countries. Aim: The overall aim of the project was to construct an evidence base for developing and implementing community-based interventions to combat AMR and inform relevant policy documents, in view of combating AMR in Romania. Methods: Two studies (study I and III) relied on qualitative methodology (content analysis), using semi-structured interviews to understand pharmacists and family doctors’ perceptions on related roles as well as ABC and AMR in Romania. Study I captured data from 18 interviews with pharmacists whereas study III from 12 family doctors’ interviews. Study III represented a quantitative and qualitative synthesis of evidence on the value of community-based educational interventions to improve antibiotic use. Seventy-three papers were included, ranging from quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods studies. Study IV used a quantitative methodology to capture perceptions of future Romanian health professionals about antibiotic use. A total of 479 participants completed the study IV survey- 233 medical students from seven faculties and 246 pharmacy students from four faculties. Key findings: Study I articulated three sub-themes that would describe pharmacists’ perceptions. The first one referred to their difficulties in ‘maintaining equilibrium between ethics, law and economy’. The second sub-theme characterized ‘antibiotic resistance problem as rooted in a low social capital environment’. This reflected the deep causes of antibiotic resistance that go beyond strictly antibiotic management. Lastly pharmacists were found to be ‘wanting to fulfil their educational role’, which is how they felt they could best contribute. The overarching theme ‘Undervalued medicines’ professionals struggling with agency related and structural barriers to meet their deontological duties’- reflects the way pharmacists perceive their current societal standing as well as how their roles are challenged by several barriers that impact their decision-making processes. Study II revealed advantages of community-based behavior change interventions in improving antibiotic use. Multifaceted interventions were found to provide the greatest benefits. Particularly, interventions that combined educational components with persuasion had a better impact across most outcomes (knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs; antibiotic adherence; antibiotic use) compared to interventions focused solely on education. The review also identified challenges in evaluating this type of research and emphasized the necessity for standardized approaches in study design and outcome measurements. While there is some emerging evidence on the cost-effectiveness of these interventions, it remains limited in scope. Study III identified the perceived factors affecting ABC and antibiotic prescribing by family doctors. Some factors pertained to the perceived behavior of family doctors or patients, others were associated with different systems, local contexts, and the COVID-19 pandemic. An overarching theme was articulated: ‘family doctors in Romania see their role differently when it comes to antibiotic resistance and perceive the lack of patient education or awareness as one of the major drivers of ABC’. All these perceived factors spanned the capability, opportunity, and motivational domains of the BCW and could be addressed through a mix of interventions. Study IV found that most students responded they felt prepared in at least 14 areas (covered by 14 questions) (out of 22 areas/questions for medical students, and 19 for pharmacy students). In terms of willingness to engage, a similar trend was observed among both medical and pharmacy students, with scores of 2 out of 4 (4 being the maximum score showing the maximum engagement willingness, considering there are 4 areas of engagement) and 3 out of 4, respectively. A significant proportion, approximately 53.5% (n=254), confirmed that they received sufficient training to ensure the appropriate use of antibiotics in their professional fields. Students who scored low on preparedness expressed a desire for additional education. Regarding their estimation on how antibiotic use will evolve in Romania, the highest number of responses from medical and pharmacy students (n=159, 33.5%), highlighted the view that the situation would worsen. Regarding the survey design, the factor structure identified through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) could not be validated through Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), indicating that further adjustments are required for the model and/or questionnaire. Conclusions: Promising evidence supports the benefits of community-based interventions in enhancing antibiotic use, particularly multifaceted approaches. Considering the impact of the COVID19 pandemic, policymakers should consider these interventions alongside clinical-based approaches to rebuild trust. Inclusive participation in community-based interventions fosters public ownership and utilization of community channels. Romanian healthcare professionals hold diverse perceptions of AMR. Factors influencing appropriate antibiotic use and AMR in Romania include the behaviors of pharmacists, family doctors, patients, the health system, local contexts, and the pandemic's impact. Findings also have important implications for the education and training of future Romanian healthcare professionals, necessitating further research to establish standardized methods for monitoring and evaluating progress in preparedness, engagement willingness, and teaching preferences regarding antibiotic use

Mechanisms of Endogenous Institutional Change

This paper proposes an analytical-cum-conceptual framework for understanding the nature of institutions as well as their changes. In doing so, it attempts to achieve two things: First, it proposes a way to reconcile an equilibrium (endogenous) view of institutions with the notion of agents’ bounded rationality by introducing such concepts as a summary representation of equilibrium as common knowledge of agents. Second, it specifies some generic mechanisms of institutional coherence and change -- overlapping social embededdness, Schumpeterian innovation in bundling games and dynamic institutional complementarities -- useful for understanding the dynamic interactions of economic, political, social and organizational factors.