Lectures FOSS
Content
1 – Introduction...................................................................................................... 2
Readings.............................................................................................................. 2
Lecture notes....................................................................................................... 4
2 – What is nature?................................................................................................. 7
Readings.............................................................................................................. 7
Lecture notes..................................................................................................... 14
3 – How does society stick together?...................................................................18
Readings............................................................................................................ 18
Lecture notes..................................................................................................... 21
4 – How does society change?.............................................................................. 24
Readings............................................................................................................ 24
Lecture notes..................................................................................................... 30
5 - Behaviour change........................................................................................... 35
Readings............................................................................................................ 35
Lecture notes..................................................................................................... 38
6 – Institutional change........................................................................................ 40
Readings............................................................................................................ 40
Lecture notes..................................................................................................... 45
7 – Institutional movements................................................................................. 48
Readings............................................................................................................ 48
Lecture notes..................................................................................................... 51
8 - Innovation, politics and power in transformations to sustainability.................55
Readings............................................................................................................ 55
Lecture notes..................................................................................................... 61
9 – Collapse and regeneration.............................................................................. 65
Readings............................................................................................................ 65
Lecture notes..................................................................................................... 71
,1 – Introduction
Readings
van der Leeuw, S., 2018. Closing remarks: novel approaches to complex societal
change and sustainability.
1. Historical Perspective on the Sustainability Crisis
Van der Leeuw highlights the importance of a historical lens for
understanding the sustainability crisis, linking it to long-term social and
cognitive evolution. The paper argues that sustainability issues are not
simply modern challenges but have been building over centuries,
stemming from human civilization's developmental path.
Significant historical shifts, such as the Industrial Revolution and the
advent of fossil fuels, catalyzed a rapid increase in technological
innovation, economic growth, and environmental degradation. The paper
traces this trajectory, showing how society’s prioritization shifted from
social cohesion to economic gain and wealth accumulation, especially
after World War II, which solidified consumerism and economic growth as
central to social dynamics.
2. Sustainability as a Socio-Environmental Problem
Van der Leeuw posits that the real sustainability challenge is more
societal than environmental. Societies define their environmental
priorities and challenges based on internal values, perceptions, and
socio-economic structures, meaning that environmental degradation is a
symptom of deeper societal dynamics.
This reorientation demands a "societal transformation" (=reconstitution of
daily life) rather than just environmental fixes. True sustainability will
require societies to alter the very frameworks by which they
define success, progress, and stability, as well as the power
structures that enforce these ideals.
3. The Role of the Information Technology Revolution
The ongoing IT revolution is seen as a major disruptor in shaping modern
society. Unlike past technological shifts, information technology
directly impacts social organization by altering communication
and collective behaviour. Van der Leeuw notes that this revolution
decentralizes knowledge and authority, allowing for the formation of
niche communities that challenge societal consensus and norms.
This shift has societal consequences, as it enables the spread of
"alternative truths" and challenges to the values that once
provided societal coherence. He warns of a period of "relative chaos" as
societies struggle to find a new equilibrium in an era where foundational
values are continuously questioned and diversified.
4. Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) and Sustainability
, The paper advocates for a paradigm shift from a reductionist to a Complex
Adaptive Systems (CAS) approach. CAS embraces the notion of
continuous, unpredictable change and views society and the
environment as interconnected systems that cannot be controlled or
predicted in a linear fashion.
Reductionist Example:
Focusing solely on reducing car emissions to tackle climate change,
ignoring interconnected factors like energy, urban planning, and behavior.
CAS Example:
Developing climate policies that integrate renewable energy, urban design,
transportation, and community input, adapting to ongoing changes.
Van der Leeuw criticizes the traditional focus on stability and control, which
is embedded in Western, Aristotelian logic. He suggests that a Heraclitean
view—where change is constant and stability is temporary—is more
appropriate. CAS thinking aligns with this view and encourages societies to
"tinker" or adapt dynamically to change rather than striving for static
solutions.
5. Power Dynamics: From “Power Over” to “Power To”
A critical component of sustainability, according to the paper, is revisiting
how power functions within societies. Van der Leeuw distinguishes
between “power over” (domination and control) and “power to”
(empowerment and enablement).
The author traces the concentration of power from colonial and
imperial times to today’s global corporations and economic
systems, noting that globalization has shifted power away from
local communities. He calls for a transformation towards a "power to"
approach, empowering individuals and communities to foster local
resilience and autonomy as part of sustainability efforts.
6. Challenges in Changing Societal Mindsets
Van der Leeuw identifies several cognitive and cultural barriers to shifting
societal approaches to sustainability. One key barrier is the Western
tendency to focus on entities (e.g., individual achievements, stability)
rather than relationships (e.g., interconnectedness and context), which
limits understanding of complex systems.
He highlights cognitive differences between Western and East Asian
thought, where Westerners focus more on individual elements and East
Asians on relationships. This relational focus, he argues, could benefit
sustainability thinking by fostering a more holistic understanding of socio-
environmental systems.
7. Scientists’ Role and Limitations in Societal Transformation
The paper addresses the limitations of science in driving direct societal
change. Van der Leeuw argues that scientists cannot control the direction
of societal transformations but can play an important role by “alerting”
society to impending changes and contributing insights that help society
adapt.
, The scientific community, he argues, must embrace humility and
transparency, acknowledging both the strengths and limitations of
scientific knowledge. This involves moving beyond insular, discipline-
specific research and fostering collaboration with non-scientists to
incorporate diverse perspectives that are more representative of broader
societal interests.
8. Involving Non-Scientists and “Outsiders” in Sustainability Efforts
The paper emphasizes the importance of including "outsiders"—those who
live with the direct consequences of socio-environmental decisions—in
sustainability discussions and decision-making processes. These
individuals bring practical, holistic insights that are crucial for
grounding scientific research in real-world contexts and enhancing
societal relevance.
Van der Leeuw argues that scientists and policy-makers must acknowledge
the contributions of local communities, indigenous knowledge holders, and
stakeholders outside academia, who can offer essential context and
alternative approaches to sustainability challenges.
9. The Future of Sustainability Research and the Role of Future Earth
The paper concludes with a call for the Future Earth initiative to lead the
scientific community in rethinking sustainability as a deeply relational and
interdisciplinary issue. Future Earth’s role includes promoting the co-design
of research agendas that engage stakeholders across sectors, disciplines,
and communities.
It also advocates for the further integration of social and natural sciences
in sustainability research, particularly in adopting CAS approaches that can
more accurately model the complexities of socio-environmental
interactions.
Conclusion
Van der Leeuw’s closing remarks underscore that achieving sustainability will
require deep societal transformations and a shift in collective thinking. These
transformations entail moving away from reductionist, control-focused methods
and embracing complexity, change, and relational thinking. Furthermore,
rebalancing power dynamics, involving non-scientific communities, and
redefining science's role in society are seen as essential steps in navigating a
sustainable future.
Lecture notes
Framework for analysing the environmental issues as social problems
See blackboard lecture 1 framework
1. Social construction of the environment
Nature and society/humans are interconnected and cannot be viewed separately
As we form nature and give meaning to nature ourselves
Some communities view nature as a different entity, others feel connected
Content
1 – Introduction...................................................................................................... 2
Readings.............................................................................................................. 2
Lecture notes....................................................................................................... 4
2 – What is nature?................................................................................................. 7
Readings.............................................................................................................. 7
Lecture notes..................................................................................................... 14
3 – How does society stick together?...................................................................18
Readings............................................................................................................ 18
Lecture notes..................................................................................................... 21
4 – How does society change?.............................................................................. 24
Readings............................................................................................................ 24
Lecture notes..................................................................................................... 30
5 - Behaviour change........................................................................................... 35
Readings............................................................................................................ 35
Lecture notes..................................................................................................... 38
6 – Institutional change........................................................................................ 40
Readings............................................................................................................ 40
Lecture notes..................................................................................................... 45
7 – Institutional movements................................................................................. 48
Readings............................................................................................................ 48
Lecture notes..................................................................................................... 51
8 - Innovation, politics and power in transformations to sustainability.................55
Readings............................................................................................................ 55
Lecture notes..................................................................................................... 61
9 – Collapse and regeneration.............................................................................. 65
Readings............................................................................................................ 65
Lecture notes..................................................................................................... 71
,1 – Introduction
Readings
van der Leeuw, S., 2018. Closing remarks: novel approaches to complex societal
change and sustainability.
1. Historical Perspective on the Sustainability Crisis
Van der Leeuw highlights the importance of a historical lens for
understanding the sustainability crisis, linking it to long-term social and
cognitive evolution. The paper argues that sustainability issues are not
simply modern challenges but have been building over centuries,
stemming from human civilization's developmental path.
Significant historical shifts, such as the Industrial Revolution and the
advent of fossil fuels, catalyzed a rapid increase in technological
innovation, economic growth, and environmental degradation. The paper
traces this trajectory, showing how society’s prioritization shifted from
social cohesion to economic gain and wealth accumulation, especially
after World War II, which solidified consumerism and economic growth as
central to social dynamics.
2. Sustainability as a Socio-Environmental Problem
Van der Leeuw posits that the real sustainability challenge is more
societal than environmental. Societies define their environmental
priorities and challenges based on internal values, perceptions, and
socio-economic structures, meaning that environmental degradation is a
symptom of deeper societal dynamics.
This reorientation demands a "societal transformation" (=reconstitution of
daily life) rather than just environmental fixes. True sustainability will
require societies to alter the very frameworks by which they
define success, progress, and stability, as well as the power
structures that enforce these ideals.
3. The Role of the Information Technology Revolution
The ongoing IT revolution is seen as a major disruptor in shaping modern
society. Unlike past technological shifts, information technology
directly impacts social organization by altering communication
and collective behaviour. Van der Leeuw notes that this revolution
decentralizes knowledge and authority, allowing for the formation of
niche communities that challenge societal consensus and norms.
This shift has societal consequences, as it enables the spread of
"alternative truths" and challenges to the values that once
provided societal coherence. He warns of a period of "relative chaos" as
societies struggle to find a new equilibrium in an era where foundational
values are continuously questioned and diversified.
4. Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) and Sustainability
, The paper advocates for a paradigm shift from a reductionist to a Complex
Adaptive Systems (CAS) approach. CAS embraces the notion of
continuous, unpredictable change and views society and the
environment as interconnected systems that cannot be controlled or
predicted in a linear fashion.
Reductionist Example:
Focusing solely on reducing car emissions to tackle climate change,
ignoring interconnected factors like energy, urban planning, and behavior.
CAS Example:
Developing climate policies that integrate renewable energy, urban design,
transportation, and community input, adapting to ongoing changes.
Van der Leeuw criticizes the traditional focus on stability and control, which
is embedded in Western, Aristotelian logic. He suggests that a Heraclitean
view—where change is constant and stability is temporary—is more
appropriate. CAS thinking aligns with this view and encourages societies to
"tinker" or adapt dynamically to change rather than striving for static
solutions.
5. Power Dynamics: From “Power Over” to “Power To”
A critical component of sustainability, according to the paper, is revisiting
how power functions within societies. Van der Leeuw distinguishes
between “power over” (domination and control) and “power to”
(empowerment and enablement).
The author traces the concentration of power from colonial and
imperial times to today’s global corporations and economic
systems, noting that globalization has shifted power away from
local communities. He calls for a transformation towards a "power to"
approach, empowering individuals and communities to foster local
resilience and autonomy as part of sustainability efforts.
6. Challenges in Changing Societal Mindsets
Van der Leeuw identifies several cognitive and cultural barriers to shifting
societal approaches to sustainability. One key barrier is the Western
tendency to focus on entities (e.g., individual achievements, stability)
rather than relationships (e.g., interconnectedness and context), which
limits understanding of complex systems.
He highlights cognitive differences between Western and East Asian
thought, where Westerners focus more on individual elements and East
Asians on relationships. This relational focus, he argues, could benefit
sustainability thinking by fostering a more holistic understanding of socio-
environmental systems.
7. Scientists’ Role and Limitations in Societal Transformation
The paper addresses the limitations of science in driving direct societal
change. Van der Leeuw argues that scientists cannot control the direction
of societal transformations but can play an important role by “alerting”
society to impending changes and contributing insights that help society
adapt.
, The scientific community, he argues, must embrace humility and
transparency, acknowledging both the strengths and limitations of
scientific knowledge. This involves moving beyond insular, discipline-
specific research and fostering collaboration with non-scientists to
incorporate diverse perspectives that are more representative of broader
societal interests.
8. Involving Non-Scientists and “Outsiders” in Sustainability Efforts
The paper emphasizes the importance of including "outsiders"—those who
live with the direct consequences of socio-environmental decisions—in
sustainability discussions and decision-making processes. These
individuals bring practical, holistic insights that are crucial for
grounding scientific research in real-world contexts and enhancing
societal relevance.
Van der Leeuw argues that scientists and policy-makers must acknowledge
the contributions of local communities, indigenous knowledge holders, and
stakeholders outside academia, who can offer essential context and
alternative approaches to sustainability challenges.
9. The Future of Sustainability Research and the Role of Future Earth
The paper concludes with a call for the Future Earth initiative to lead the
scientific community in rethinking sustainability as a deeply relational and
interdisciplinary issue. Future Earth’s role includes promoting the co-design
of research agendas that engage stakeholders across sectors, disciplines,
and communities.
It also advocates for the further integration of social and natural sciences
in sustainability research, particularly in adopting CAS approaches that can
more accurately model the complexities of socio-environmental
interactions.
Conclusion
Van der Leeuw’s closing remarks underscore that achieving sustainability will
require deep societal transformations and a shift in collective thinking. These
transformations entail moving away from reductionist, control-focused methods
and embracing complexity, change, and relational thinking. Furthermore,
rebalancing power dynamics, involving non-scientific communities, and
redefining science's role in society are seen as essential steps in navigating a
sustainable future.
Lecture notes
Framework for analysing the environmental issues as social problems
See blackboard lecture 1 framework
1. Social construction of the environment
Nature and society/humans are interconnected and cannot be viewed separately
As we form nature and give meaning to nature ourselves
Some communities view nature as a different entity, others feel connected
