A Systems-Based Approach to PolicymakingKenyon B. de Greene Springer Science & Business Media, 2012 M12 6 - 355 pages This book is based on a number of systems concepts, of which the following are emphasized here: oThe interacting systems of society and the environment are dynamic and evolution ary oEvolution of these systems carries them through stages of differential stability and instability, continuity and discontinuity oAssociated with evolution and instability is structural change that is essentially irre versible oThe present is a stage of world transformation that may not have been equaled for decades or even centuries oPolicies and decisions must match the times, in the present case the stage of world transformation The time 11:59:59 PM, approximately, on December 31, 2000 has an impor tant symbolic meaning. It marks the end of a minute, the end of an hour, the end of a day, the end of a year, the end of a decade, the end of a century, and the end of a millennium. The time and date provide a convenient yardstick against which we can evaluate the evolution of our thinking and the adequacy of our assumptions, mental models, paradigms, and policies. Will the beginning tum out to be appropriately dif ferent from the end? We hope that this book is helpful in such evaluation. This is a new-paradigm book, which both presents and advances the new way of thinking about the systems of science, technology, society, economics, politics, and the environment, and actively calls for the replacement of the worn out cognitive/sociotechnical paradigm. |
Contents
X | 54 |
ADAPTIVE CONTROL AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION | 65 |
FIELDTHEORETIC FRAMEWORK FOR SYSTEMS | 103 |
viii | 108 |
Allen is Scientific Director of the International Ecotechnology | 137 |
SCHOOL FOR RULERS | 138 |
APPEARANCE AND REALITY | 175 |
SYSTEM DYNAMICS AND THE LESSONS OF 35 YEARS | 199 |
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action activities approach assumptions basic behavior business cycles Cambridge catastrophe theory century chaos chaos theory Chapter choice Club of Rome complex systems concept concerned conflict resolution countries critical decision decisionmaking developed discussed Dror economic Emery environment equilibrium evolution example experience field theory Figure fluctuations force Forrester future global grand policy thinking growth Harold Chestnut human Ilya Prigogine important institutions interactions international stability involved Iraq Iraq's Iraqi Kondratiev Kuwait learning logic mental mental models military modern nations nature nonlinear operations research order parameter organization paradigm peace perspective physical policy experts policy-cogitation knowledge policymaking political possible present Prigogine problems reality relations role Saddam Hussein School for Rulers scientific scientists sense situation social society strategy structure System Dynamics Society systems analysis systems theory systems thinking tion understanding University Press values York