The interdependency of socio-ecological systems and the increased reach of human activity have led to major political and scientific challenges in the governance of environmental resources. This chapter reviews the state of our knowledge on the matter. The chapter begins by discussing the...

► Understanding emergence and evolution is key to analyze the nature of institutions. ► Conceiving institutions as equilibria of beliefs allows exploring the role of rationality. ► Institutions might also be seen as the result of strategies by agents or coalitions. ► The dynamic of law...