Social complexity and sustainability
نویسنده
چکیده
Social complexity and sustainability emerge from successful problem solving, rather than directly from environmental conditions. Social complexity develops from problem solving at all scales from local to national and international. Complexity in problem solving is an economic function, and can both support and hinder sustainability. Sustainability outcomes may take decades or centuries to develop. Historical studies reveal three outcomes to longterm change in problem-solving institutions: collapse, resiliency through simplification, or continuity based on growing complexity and increasing energy subsidies. The slow development of complexity in problem solving makes its effects difficult to perceive, especially over short time periods. Long-term social sustainability depends on understanding and controlling complexity. New strategies to mitigate or control complexity are offered. # 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. avai lab le at www.sc iencedi rect .com journal homepage: ht tp : / /www.e lsev ier .com/ locate /ecocom
منابع مشابه
Social Sustainability Measures for Rural Areas in Iran
One of the most important issues which has been of interest for scholars during the past decades is sustainable rural development and its concerning discussions. Social sustainability as the key aspect of sustainable development is of critical importance to sustainable rural development. Bringing social sustainability issues into focus in the present century has made an opportunity for achievin...
متن کاملInnovation in the Agro-Food Sector: from Technical Innovation-Centred Approaches to Sustainability Transition Processes
Innovation is a complex phenomenon and process involving translation of knowledge into new techniques, products, services. It is considered crucial for sustainable agriculture development and achievement of long-term food security. The review describes the diversity of innovation and relates it to agro-food sector. It also sheds light on different innovation models and explores their contributi...
متن کاملIncomplete Observations and Constructed Relevance: A Framework for the Assessment and Management of Corporate Sustainability
In this paper I argue that the assessment and management of corporate sustainability potentially runs the risk of severe biases due to the application of inadequate criteria. Firstly, present praxis as well as theory of corporate sustainability assessment tend to not distinguish between structural and performance related features relevant for corporate sustainability. Secondly, the nature of co...
متن کاملEvaluation and Comparison of Sustainability levels of Rice Production in Sari County
Introduction It is difficult to measure sustainable agriculture as a multidimensional concept. While it is relatively easy to express philosophical definitions of agriculture sustainability, providing an operational and methodology definition for evaluating the level of sustainability is difficult. Different methodological approaches have been formulated and developed to assess the sustainab...
متن کاملThe Role of Social and Place Identities towards Promoting Sustainability Approaches and Behaviors
The concept of sustainability is encouraged to preserve natural resources, social values, cultural heritage, and economic capital, which already exist to make available them for the next generations. Moreover, to enhance the level of sustainability in communities, numerous scholars indicated both individual and community identities play a crucial role. Sustainability is attainable and successfu...
متن کامل