One of the problems we have in public discourse, but also in scientific, technological and academic debate, is a pervasive misuse of the word 'System'. This post presents a perspective where both Capitalism and its presumed opposite, Socialism, are not seem as 'systems' but as *results*, as *residues* of contingent historical processes. This shift … Continue reading Capitalism and Socialism are not ‘Systems’

“Turning to Yen Yu, [Confucius] said, “Ch’iu, what are your wishes?” Ch’iu replied, “Suppose a state of sixty or seventy li square, or one of fifty or sixty, and let me have the government of it;-in three years’ time, I could make plenty to abound among the people. As to teaching them the principles of … Continue reading Regional Development

For many years, the following text from Christopher Alexander (A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction, 1977) has been a fundamental reference for my understanding of the problems of human development.   “INDEPENDENT REGIONS “Metropolitan regions will not come to balance until each one is small and autonomous enough to be an independent sphere of culture. Therefore: … Continue reading Alexander: Independent Regions