the world as a total system

Description

A sequel to Boulding's Ecodynamics (SAGE 1978), this new book looks at the extent to which the earth is a total system of interacting parts and the degree to which it is a pattern of isolated systems which have little or no impact on one another. Descriptions of systems are based as much as possible on their relevance to the real world. Boulding's methodology depends on the nature of the particular system being investigated and he does not attempt to to impose methodologies from systems where parameters do not change (celestial mechanics) on those where they do (biological and social sciences). Introduction 1. What Systems Can We Perceive in the World? 2. The World as a Physical System 3. The World as a Biological System 4. The World as a Social System 5. The World as an Economic System 6. The World as a Political System 7. The World as a Communication System 8. The World an as Evaluative System References Index About the Author