1. A method for managing a computing system having hardware and software components, comprising: arranging the hardware and software components of the computing system in a hierarchy of layers; launching two autonomic management elements, each running in a different component of the computing system; configuring the two autonomic management elements as a master and a slave, the master controlling management responsibilities of the slave, provided the two autonomic management elements are running in different layers; and managing the hardware and software components of the computing system by the two autonomic management elements, comprising running the two autonomic management elements in a master-slave mode.