KAOS I NELINEARNA DINAMIKA – NOVI METODOLOŠKI PRISTUPI U DRUŠTVENIM I POLITOLOGIJSKIM ZNANOSTIMA
CHAOS AND NONLINEAR DYNAMICS – NEW METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES IN SOCIAL AND POLITICAL SCIENCES

Summary/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.

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