Elinor Ostrom's article challenges the notion that scholars can create simple, predictive models of social-ecological systems (SES) and deduce universal solutions to resource overuse or destruction. She argues that moving beyond panaceas requires a serious study of complex, multivariable, nonlinear, cross-scale, and changing systems. Ostrom proposes a nested, multilevel framework to organize analyses of how attributes of resource systems, resource units, users, and governance systems jointly affect and are affected by interactions and outcomes. This framework helps scholars understand the structure of SESs and develop diagnostic methods to identify combinations of variables that influence incentives and actions under different governance systems. The article emphasizes the importance of decomposability in complex systems, where variables can be partitioned into classes and subclasses, and subsystems can function independently while affecting each other. Ostrom also discusses the challenges of applying this framework to specific cases, such as the tragedy of the commons and the management of lobster fisheries, and highlights the need for adaptive policies and learning processes to address complex governance problems.Elinor Ostrom's article challenges the notion that scholars can create simple, predictive models of social-ecological systems (SES) and deduce universal solutions to resource overuse or destruction. She argues that moving beyond panaceas requires a serious study of complex, multivariable, nonlinear, cross-scale, and changing systems. Ostrom proposes a nested, multilevel framework to organize analyses of how attributes of resource systems, resource units, users, and governance systems jointly affect and are affected by interactions and outcomes. This framework helps scholars understand the structure of SESs and develop diagnostic methods to identify combinations of variables that influence incentives and actions under different governance systems. The article emphasizes the importance of decomposability in complex systems, where variables can be partitioned into classes and subclasses, and subsystems can function independently while affecting each other. Ostrom also discusses the challenges of applying this framework to specific cases, such as the tragedy of the commons and the management of lobster fisheries, and highlights the need for adaptive policies and learning processes to address complex governance problems.