Sustainability of Complex Societies

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title

Futures

Publication Date

1-1-1995

Volume

27

First Page

397

Last Page

407

Abstract

Historical knowledge is fundamental to sustainable development. Recent research implicates the development of complexity in systems of problem solving as a primary cause of societal collapse. Diminishing returns to problem solving limited the ability of historical societies to resolve their challenges, and will limit the ability of contemporary societies to address global change. The solutions to this dilemma lie within (a) knowledge of our historical position in a system of evolving complexity, and (b) the further development of energy to finance problem solving.

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS