Our interest lies in applying the principles of pluralistic critical systems thinking and practice (CST/P) to human activity systems in developing countries where issues of natural resource sustainability constrain the feasible set of long-term strategies. The concept of sustainable development provides an expanded domain for the application of CST/P. The fundamental values underpinning sustainable development are that both intragenerational and intergenerational equity are important. As a consequence, key stakeholders are often excluded from power-sharing within the current social systems. Addressing these issues requires a renewed focus on emancipatory commitment and methodologies. To date, Ulrich's critical systems heuristics, is the only critical systems methodology that offers practicable tools for emancipation. A case study analysis in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia provides insights in relation to the application of critical system heuristics, and highlights the need to extend the use of critical systems heuristics beyond planning situations to include questioning of already existing institutions.
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