{"product_id":"the-world-as-a-total-system","title":"The World as a Total System","description":"\u003cp\u003eEconomist Kenneth Boulding  an acclaimed social historian  theoretician  and visionary  has written a much anticipated sequel to his Ecodynamics: A New Theory of Societal Evolution (Sage  1978). That highly lauded work  in applying the tenets of evolutionary theory to the social sciences  examined what patterns  if any  occur in the development of societies. In The World as a Total System  Boulding goes one analytical step further. He examines the extent to which the Earth is a total system of interacting parts as well as the degree to which it is a \"great mosaic\" of isolated systems having little or no impact on one another. In addition  he paints  with what he calls a broad brush  some of the more important of these \"static\" and \"dynamic\" systems. Bouldings belief is that the world has moved a \"long way\" toward becoming a single economic  cultural  and communication system in the last century--although politically it has become more \"fragmented and diverse.\" His hope is that his new book will \"help to provoke a movement among the educational systems of the world for both research and teaching about the world as a total system  so that we may all come to see ourselves and our own cultures and countries as rightly close and important to us  but also as finding their greatest significance as parts of a larger whole.\" Everyone interested in the study of systems will find Kenneth Bouldings latest insights enlightening and intriguing. The World as a Total System can be used as a core text or supplement in courses dealing with social  political  and economic theory and history; systems analysis; and social change. \"The reader of these volumes will be taken on a well organized tour of the major problems of the world. He will be introduced to many new ideas and learn many interesting facts that he was ignorant of  and be reminded of many facts and ideas that he once knew but had forgotten. He will also enjoy close contact with the unusually lively and imaginative mind of his guide.\" --New York Times Book Review \"The World as a Total System represents a unique synthesis of our world as a complex and dynamic entity  the function of which is the result of the interaction of several major subsystems. Author Kenneth Bouldings unique background as an international social scientist makes him especially well suited for synthesizing a functional perspective of our global system by focusing in on seven major aspects  or subsystems  of this major global system. Through the unique perspectives of Physics  Biology  Sociology  Economics  Politics  Communications  and Evaluation  the author proceeds to weave his hypothetical fabric  which eventually emerges as the inevitable consequence and interaction of these major subordinate systems. \"The World as a Total System comes across with consistent depth  flow  and impact. The text is also liberally enlightened with fresh and provocative concepts  which serve to whet the readers curiosity and challenge the intellect throughout....a unique and valuable resource for anyone interested in studying the interrelationships and behaviors of global systems.\" --Elliott C.L. Maynard  Director of Research \u0026amp; Development  Arcos Cielos \"Written by a person whose intellectual trajectory is literarily speaking astronomical. . . Boulding has read so much  seen so much  thought so much  discussed so much  and in addition to that written so enormously much  that what comes out certainly merits that rare distinction: wisdom. I would conclude by recommending the books whole-heartedly. They are stimulating reading  lucid and well written  filled with surprising insights  opening windows  opening doors  opening whole walls.\" --Johan Galtung  Journal of Peace Research\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44945479663669,"sku":"ByrdShop_0803924437","price":223.09,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780803924437.jpg?v=1769890453","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/the-world-as-a-total-system","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}