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.
- Global South:
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:
- The relationship between democratic institutions and capitalist institutions is complex and debated.
- The breakdown in understanding complex systems, influenced by various forces and human egos, has led to this ambiguity.
- Evolution of Economics:
- Economics originated from philosophy and humanities in the early 20th century.
- Modern economists often fail to grasp the functioning of societies, leaning towards free-market fundamentalism.
- The “invisible hand” of the market, driven by capital power, often prioritizes capital rights over human rights, especially regarding migration.
- Specialization vs. Systems Knowledge:
- Specialized experts, such as heart or brain specialists, often focus on their specific areas, losing sight of the whole individual.
- Climate scientists may focus on carbon removal but might overlook the broader impacts of their solutions on citizens’ livelihoods.
- High-tech solutions can enhance specific parts of complex systems but may compromise overall health and well-being.
- Hubris of Modern Science:
- The belief that humans can conquer and change nature has been a prevailing notion since the European Enlightenment.
- Attempting to fix the world and even alter human genes through scientific means poses threats to humanity’s survival.
- Seeking Certainty in Uncertainty:
- 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.
- 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
- Philosopher Isaiah Berlin categorized thinkers into “foxes” and “hedgehogs,” referencing the idea of the ancient Greek poet Archilochus.
- Great writers, such as Leo Tolstoy, who integrate multiple perspectives in their works, possess characteristics of both hedgehogs and foxes.
- 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:
- Rather than fragmented sciences, there is a need for a science of holistic, self-adaptive systems, encompassing human egos.
- 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:
- Organizations striving to improve the world for everyone should prioritize cooperation over competition.
- 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:
- Families naturally comprise members with diverse sexes and generational abilities.
- Despite these differences, family members cooperate to ensure the well-being of all.
- Undervalued Contributions of Women:
- 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.
- 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:
- The world requires more nurturing and less competition.
- Women inherently possess qualities of family-building and system facilitation, whereas men are often conditioned to compete.
- 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)