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Thinking in Systems by Donella Meadows, framework 3 of 7

The eight system traps

Common structures that produce persistent bad behaviour, each paired with its way out.

Donella Meadows's framework, from Thinking in Systems, pp. 93 to 165.

  1. Policy resistance

    Actors pull a stock towards different goals. Way out: let go, bring in all actors, and find an overarching goal.

  2. Tragedy of the commons

    Shared resource with weak feedback to users. Way out: educate and exhort, then privatise or regulate to restore the feedback.

  3. Drift to low performance

    Goals erode towards past performance. Way out: keep standards absolute or anchor them to the best results.

  4. Escalation

    Each side tries to out-do the other. Way out: refuse to compete or negotiate balancing loops.

  5. Success to the successful

    Winners get the means to win again. Way out: diversify, limit winners' share, level the field.

  6. Shifting the burden to the intervenor

    A symptom fix weakens the system's own capacity. Way out: avoid it, strengthen the system, then remove yourself.

  7. Rule beating

    Letter of the rule is met and the spirit is dodged. Way out: redesign rules so creativity serves their purpose.

  8. Seeking the wrong goal

    The system delivers exactly the indicator you set. Way out: specify goals that reflect real welfare, and do not confuse effort with result.

From chapter: Part Two: Systems and Us, pp. 93–165

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