Understanding Change: Models, Methodologies and Metaphors

Over The Past Two Decades, New Models And Methodologies For Understanding Processes Of Change Have Been Developed In The Natural Sciences, Economics And The Social Sciences: Chaos Theory And New Evolutionary Theory, Path Dependency And Neo-institutional Economics, The Theories Of Multilinear Modernization And Historical Institutionalism. All Six Paradigms Contain Notions Of Non-linearity, Partial Determination, And Irreversibility. What Can The Different Disciplines Learn From Each Other In Better Grasping And Explaining Complex Forms Of Change In The Contemporary Natural, Economic And Social World? How Far Can Models, Methodologies And Metaphors That Have Been Used Successfully In One Disciplinary Field Be Exported And Meaningfully Applied In Others Fields? Each Model Is Here Presented By A Main Article And Then Discussed By Representatives Of The Other Two Disciplinary Fields Exploring The Possibilities Of Cross-disciplinary Borrowing And Exchange. This Highly Integrated Volume Represents A Rare Example Of A Successful Cross-disciplinary Dialogue, With A Stellar List Of Authors Directly Addressing Each Others' Contributions. List Of Tables And Figures -- Notes On Contributors -- Introduction: Models, Methodologies, And Metaphors On The Move / A. Wimmer -- Climate Change; Complexity, Chaos And Order / P. Higgins -- Chaos In Social Systems: Assessment And Relevance / L.d. Kiel -- Economics, Chaos And Environmental Complexity / H-w. Lorenz -- The Topology Of The Possible / W. Fontana -- Neutrality As A Paradigm Of Change / R. Stichweh -- Using Evolutionary Analogies In Social Science: Two Case Studies / E. Chattoe -- The Grip Of History And The Scope For Novelty: Some Results And Open Questions For Path Dependence In Economic Processes / C. Castaldi And G. Dosi -- Analyzing Path Dependence: Lessons From The Social Sciences / J. Mahoney -- Path Dependence And Historical Contingency In Biology / E. Szathm̀ry -- The New Institutional Economics: Can It Deliver For Change And Development? / J.b. Nugent -- Institutions, Politics And Culture: A Case For 'old' Institutionalism In The Study Of Historical Change / J. Harriss -- Exporting Metaphors, Concepts And Methods From The Natural Sciences To The Social Sciences And Vice Versa / R. Gadagkar -- The Concept Of Multiple Modernities In The Framework Of A Comparative Evolutionary Perspective / S.n. Eisenstadt -- On Modernity And Wellbeing / O. Stark -- Multiplicity In Non-linear Systems / S. Sinha -- Historical-institutionalism In Political Science And The Problem Of Change / E.m. Immergut -- Social Science And History: How Predictable Is Political Behaviour? / R. Congleton -- Reconstructing Change In Historical Systems: Are There Commonalities Between Evolutionary Biology And The Humanities? / J. Cracraft -- Conclusion: History, Uncertainty, And Disciplinary Difference. Concluding Observations By A Social Scientist / R. Kössler. Edited By Andreas Wimmer And Reinhart Kössler. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.