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David Z. Rich
ISBN: 0-275-96787-5
ISBN-13: 978-0-275-96787-1
272 pages
Praeger Publishers
Publication: 2/28/2001
List Price: $125.00 (UK Sterling Price: £86.95)
Availability: In Stock
Media Type: Hardcover
Also Available: Ebook
Trim Size: 6 1/8 x 9 1/4
Subjects:
Description: After critiquing chaos, catastrophe, and complexity theories, showing their limitations in the contemporary era, Rich furthers the development of crisis theory and applies the crisis theory approach to biological and social evolution. Treating evolution in the context of crisis theory, he shows that as evolution is both genetic and social, social evolution is an extension of biological evolution. As physical evolution results from problem solving, social evolution develops from the solving of historically significant problems, bringing about, for instance, the post-World War II era of knowledge. In this context, Rich discusses the problems of our era, with an emphasis on the paradox of industrialization and its consequences for wealthy and poor nations alike. The paradox of industrialization is approached in terms of crisis theory and resolved.
Table of Contents:
  • The Problem Situation
    The Illusion of a Paradox
    Complexity Theory: Comments and Critique
    Chaos Theory: Comments and Critique
    René Thom's Catastrophe Theory: Comments and Critique
    The Dynamics of Crisis Theory
    Introduction
    Comments on Game Theory
    Introduction to Crisis Theory
    Order and Disorder: I-Crisis Theory
    Order and Disorder: II-Dynamics and Discontinuity
    Acceptance and rejection:The Critical Test
    Order and Disorder
    Introduction
    Crisis Theory and the Strategy of Evolution
    Order and Disorder in Our Contemporary Era
    Order and Disorder in Our Contemporary Era: The Paradox of Industrialization
    Concluding Comments: The Ethical Imperative-Dollo's law and Crisis Theory
    Selected Bibliography
    Index
About the Author: DAVID Z. RICH is an economic consultant, independent researcher, and freelance writer. His earlier books include The Economic Theory of Growth and Development (Praeger, 1994) and Crisis Theory (Praeger, 1997).
LCC Class: 3
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