238
11 The Self-Organizing Society
particular, we need to learn how information, stronger interactions and increased
interdependencies are changing our systems.
People expect that governments act on their behalf, but this doesn’t mean that they
want governments to micromanage their lives. In fact, citizens are calling for more
opportunities to participate in decisions about matters which concern them. In this
regard, new opportunities are now emerging. New information and communication
systems can support participatory decision-making and coordination.
Given that we will probably face a major change in the way our economy and
society is organized, how can we support the transition from where we are today into
our digital future? Below, I detail some proposals for action which we could begin
with.
1. Improve systemic resilience. Most global or large-scale networks (and to
an even greater degree, networks of networks) are prone to highly damaging
cascading effects. Therefore, the basic functionality of our critical infrastructure is vulnerable. To make such systems more resilient, it is important to apply
modular design principles, as they are common in management science. As a
consequence, we must do at least two things. First, we need to build “shock
absorbers” or “engineered breaking points” into our systems, which can effectively stop cascades by decoupling different parts of the network.
29 Second, we
must learn to use diversity as an asset. For example, to achieve sustainable and
good systemic solutions, it’s important to combine diverse solutions in ways
that create “collective intelligence” and resilient systems. This requires a joint
effort of all stakeholders, which will typical involve independent representatives
from politics, business, science, and the citizenry. It would be useful if, besides
professional politicians, independent, qualified citizens would be represented
in decision-making bodies as well.
30
2. Reduce laws and regulations in order to support diversity and its many positive side effects. Diversity is not only the basis of societal resilience, but also of
cultural evolution and individual happiness. Furthermore, diversity drives innovation, collective intelligence and economic well-being. Thus, the complaints of
companies about over-regulation and the reservations of citizens about attempts
to standardize their cultures, lives, and cities must be taken seriously. Otherwise, great projects such as the European Union may fail in the long run. We
should try to combine the strengths of different cultures rather than making
them all the same. Copying the leading economic system is not the best solution.
31 Therefore, we might proceed as follows: every law (apart from constitutional principles) could have a limited term of validity. Over-standardization
should be avoided. Instead, it is important to create opportunities. Therefore, we
should allow different self-organizing systems to coexist and compete with each
29 Note, however, that the specific design of shock absorbers and engineered breaking points strongly
depends on the particular kind of system. Therefore, an interdisciplinary approach is needed.
30 Usually for a short time period and for a specific task.
31 Remember the section on the Netflix challenge in my chapter on the Economy 4.0.
11 The Self-Organizing Society
particular, we need to learn how information, stronger interactions and increased
interdependencies are changing our systems.
People expect that governments act on their behalf, but this doesn’t mean that they
want governments to micromanage their lives. In fact, citizens are calling for more
opportunities to participate in decisions about matters which concern them. In this
regard, new opportunities are now emerging. New information and communication
systems can support participatory decision-making and coordination.
Given that we will probably face a major change in the way our economy and
society is organized, how can we support the transition from where we are today into
our digital future? Below, I detail some proposals for action which we could begin
with.
1. Improve systemic resilience. Most global or large-scale networks (and to
an even greater degree, networks of networks) are prone to highly damaging
cascading effects. Therefore, the basic functionality of our critical infrastructure is vulnerable. To make such systems more resilient, it is important to apply
modular design principles, as they are common in management science. As a
consequence, we must do at least two things. First, we need to build “shock
absorbers” or “engineered breaking points” into our systems, which can effectively stop cascades by decoupling different parts of the network.
29 Second, we
must learn to use diversity as an asset. For example, to achieve sustainable and
good systemic solutions, it’s important to combine diverse solutions in ways
that create “collective intelligence” and resilient systems. This requires a joint
effort of all stakeholders, which will typical involve independent representatives
from politics, business, science, and the citizenry. It would be useful if, besides
professional politicians, independent, qualified citizens would be represented
in decision-making bodies as well.
30
2. Reduce laws and regulations in order to support diversity and its many positive side effects. Diversity is not only the basis of societal resilience, but also of
cultural evolution and individual happiness. Furthermore, diversity drives innovation, collective intelligence and economic well-being. Thus, the complaints of
companies about over-regulation and the reservations of citizens about attempts
to standardize their cultures, lives, and cities must be taken seriously. Otherwise, great projects such as the European Union may fail in the long run. We
should try to combine the strengths of different cultures rather than making
them all the same. Copying the leading economic system is not the best solution.
31 Therefore, we might proceed as follows: every law (apart from constitutional principles) could have a limited term of validity. Over-standardization
should be avoided. Instead, it is important to create opportunities. Therefore, we
should allow different self-organizing systems to coexist and compete with each
29 Note, however, that the specific design of shock absorbers and engineered breaking points strongly
depends on the particular kind of system. Therefore, an interdisciplinary approach is needed.
30 Usually for a short time period and for a specific task.
31 Remember the section on the Netflix challenge in my chapter on the Economy 4.0.