Chaos and complexity theories are examined in their role as a framework from which to understand social change. The central question is that of how complexity, which is based in chaos theory, can shed light on the emergence of ways to address macro-level problems in complex social systems. Three examples of social systems are discussed in terms of complexity, and in terms of the question of how micro-level processes in social systems are related to macro-level social change. These examples are the comedores populares, or popular kitchens, in Lima, Peru, the Willapa Bay community in Washington State, and the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh. In each case, micro-macro connections are seen to be connected to the emergence of ways to address macro-level problems such as poverty and environmental degradation. This process is examined through a detailed study of each case of social change, as well as through a development in the first several chapters of chaos and complexity theories. The foundations of both chaos and complexity theory are presented, beginning with their development in the physical sciences and exploring how they have been used and interpreted in the social sciences. In addition, various questions of knowledge and epistemology which arise in research based in complexity are addressed. It is concluded that complexity, based on chaos theory, is a powerful framework for understanding social change. In social systems, the emergence of ways to address macro-level problems is deeply rooted in complexity theory. It is also concluded that a consistent methodology, distinct from quantitative modeling, is needed to further explore the relationship between complexity theory and complex human and social systems.
展开▼
