Review article
Chaos and Nonlinear Dynamics – New Methodological Approaches in Social and Political Sciences
Aleksandar HALMI
Abstract
Systems theory has greatly advanced during the past two
decades. Chaos and complexity theory and their
accompanying research methods provide a new way of
understanding systems theory and advancing more
sophisticated mathematical methods for studying complex
social phenomena. Often termed "nonlinear dynamics"
because they seek to understand social systems that change in ways not amenable to the linear cause and effect models
familiar to social and political scientists, these theoretical
perspectives are thought to have application across a wide
range of social science disciplines. This article discusses the
disciplines of nonlinear dynamics – chaos and complexity –
in a way that is understandable and relevant to all social
science researchers and practitioners. The article presents an
overview of some basic concepts and methods from chaos
theory and nonlinear dynamics. The author hopes that this
article will provide social researchers with new information
that will inspire new and more empirical work on the
applications of systems theory in social practice.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
19738
URI
Publication date:
28.2.2002.
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