• UGI USER
  • Apr 04, 2024
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SYSTEMS SCIENCE FOR A BETTER FUTURE

Relevance: GS 3 – Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

Why in the News?

  • In 2023, the Pew Research Center conducted a survey across numerous countries.
  • The survey aimed to determine the preference of citizens for authoritarian rulers versus multi-party democracy.
  • Instead of focusing on specialized sciences related to specific areas, the study emphasized a higher-level science approach.
    • The approach prioritized understanding holistic and self-adaptive systems.

What is Systems Science?

  • Systems Science is an interdisciplinary field that studies complex systems and their interactions.
  • It focuses on understanding the behavior and dynamics of systems composed of interconnected elements.
  • This approach emphasizes holistic thinking, recognizing the interdependencies and feedback loops within systems.
  • It employs various methodologies, including mathematical modeling, simulation, and qualitative analysis.
  • Its applications span diverse domains such as ecology, economics, engineering, and social sciences, aiming to address complex challenges for a better future.

Preferences for Authoritarian Rulers vs. Multi-party Democracy

  • The Pew Research Center’s survey revealed concerning preferences for authoritarian rulers over multi-party democracy in various countries:
    • Global South:
      • India: 85%
      • Indonesia: 77%
      • South Africa: 66%
      • Brazil: 57%
    • Western Countries:
      • United Kingdom: 37%
      • United States: 32%
    • Notably, China and Russia were not included in the survey.

Erosion of Trust in Democratic Governments

  • Citizens in democratic nations are losing faith in their governments’ economic policies.
  • While average incomes are increasing, the disparity is growing with the very rich amassing wealth at a faster rate.
  • Large corporations and financial institutions exert significant influence, prompting governments to:
    • Reduce taxes for corporations and the wealthy.
    • Weaken labor institutions.
    • Exploit natural resources for profit.

Global Challenges and Concerns

  • The rapid growth of the global economy and human population has pushed humanity to a critical point.
  • Scientists warn of the dire consequences of over-reliance on fossil fuels for modern consumer lifestyles, potentially making the Earth uninhabitable beyond this century.
  • Water scarcity is becoming a severe issue, with India being among the most water-stressed large countries.

Economic Inequality in India

  • India is home to 5% of the world’s population but occupies only 2.4% of the world’s land.
  • In 2014, India ranked 155th out of 178 countries in the global Environmental Performance Index.
    • By 2022, India plummeted to the bottom, ranking 180th out of 180.
  • India faces the challenge of rapidly increasing the income of its vast population.
  • While economists focus on achieving GDP targets, inequality is on the rise, and the environment, which sustains the economy and human life, is being degraded.

The Science of Systems – Holistic Understanding:

  • To comprehend the world, it’s essential to recognize the interconnectedness of various elements without getting lost in the details.
  • Current sciences, whether social, medical, or natural, are compartmentalized, hindering interdisciplinary learning and understanding.
  • With advancements in specialized fields, experts tend to know more about less, lacking a comprehensive view of the entire system.
  • Politics, Economics, and Democracy:
    1. The relationship between democratic institutions and capitalist institutions is complex and debated.
    2. The breakdown in understanding complex systems, influenced by various forces and human egos, has led to this ambiguity.
  • Evolution of Economics:
    1. Economics originated from philosophy and humanities in the early 20th century.
    2. Modern economists often fail to grasp the functioning of societies, leaning towards free-market fundamentalism.
    3. The “invisible hand” of the market, driven by capital power, often prioritizes capital rights over human rights, especially regarding migration.
  • Specialization vs. Systems Knowledge:
    1. Specialized experts, such as heart or brain specialists, often focus on their specific areas, losing sight of the whole individual.
    2. Climate scientists may focus on carbon removal but might overlook the broader impacts of their solutions on citizens’ livelihoods.
    3. High-tech solutions can enhance specific parts of complex systems but may compromise overall health and well-being.
  • Hubris of Modern Science:
    1. The belief that humans can conquer and change nature has been a prevailing notion since the European Enlightenment.
    2. Attempting to fix the world and even alter human genes through scientific means poses threats to humanity’s survival.
  • Seeking Certainty in Uncertainty:
    1. In times of uncertainty, people gravitate towards figures like godmen, dictators, and wealthy technologists, as they claim to possess the truth and the power to implement it.
    2. When leaders are guided by economists and scientists with a limited understanding of the world, both the public and the environment suffer.
  • Foxes and Hedgehogs: Understanding Existence
    1. Philosopher Isaiah Berlin categorized thinkers into “foxes” and “hedgehogs,” referencing the idea of the ancient Greek poet Archilochus.
    2. Great writers, such as Leo Tolstoy, who integrate multiple perspectives in their works, possess characteristics of both hedgehogs and foxes.
    3. These thinkers comprehend the fundamental nature of existence and acknowledge the limitations of a purely rational scientific approach.
  • The Need for a Higher-Level Science:
    1. Rather than fragmented sciences, there is a need for a science of holistic, self-adaptive systems, encompassing human egos.
    2. Complex self-adaptive systems consist of three components:
  • Systems Being: Requires humility and an acknowledgment of one’s limitations.
  • Systems Thinking: Demands a “hedgehog-fox” mindset to identify patterns within details.
  • Systems Acting: The practical application of understanding and thinking within the system.

Enterprises for Cooperation:

  • Cooperation vs. Competition:
    1. Organizations striving to improve the world for everyone should prioritize cooperation over competition.
    2. While business corporations and armies aim to increase profit and power, families focus on enhancing the well-being of their members through cooperation.
  • Role of Families:
    1. Families naturally comprise members with diverse sexes and generational abilities.
    2. Despite these differences, family members cooperate to ensure the well-being of all.
  • Undervalued Contributions of Women:
    1. Women’s contributions to the well-being of families and societies are often not adequately recognized in monetary terms and are excluded from GDP calculations.
    2. Despite the perception that few Indian women participate in the labor force, women have historically worked diligently, generating social and economic value for their families and communities.
  • Need for Care over Competition:
    1. The world requires more nurturing and less competition.
    2. Women inherently possess qualities of family-building and system facilitation, whereas men are often conditioned to compete.
    3. Rather than expecting women to adopt a competitive mindset like men and compete in formal labor force hierarchies, men should embrace the nurturing qualities of women to create a better world for everyone.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/systems-science-for-a-better-future/article68025360.ece

Mains question
Discuss the importance of cooperation-driven enterprises for global well-being, emphasizing the undervalued contributions of women and the need to shift from competition to nurturing approaches in scientific systems. (250 words)