Systems Thinking Is Critical in Developing Solutions to Sustainability Challenges - Coursework Example

SUSTAINABILITY (Student Name) (Course No.) (Lecturer) (University) (Date) INTRODUCTION The society is coupled with diverse problems and challenges which stretch from social to ecological. Most of these problems keep on occurring due to lack of a lasting solution. This implies that the solution of these problems lacks the sense of ensuring sustainability of the solutions. Sustainability has been defined differently depending on the particular discipline of concern. However, it’s believed to be the capacity of every system to endure and remain useful and productive for a longer time as opposed to a short run benefit. One of the common challenges faced in the process of solving the problems s the presence of multiple causes to such a problem (Hoban 2002). A solution presented today may not suffice tomorrow. Therefore, many problem solvers strive to achieve this level of balance by designing various methods of solving such problems whenever they occur. One of the widely adopted means of solving problems in the modern society is referred to as the System Thinking Approach. This approach borrows from the concept of expansionism which asserts that everything is part of a whole thing and therefore their interconnection and interdependence is critical to their proper functionalism. This concept possesses the traditional reductionist view. Therefore, System thinking refers to the inter-disciplinary approach which is used to achieve interrelationships for achieving various patterns of change and not just a static snapshot. It defined as a way of visualizing the world as a series of interconnected as well as interdependent systems as opposed to a sum of independent parts (Checkland 1999). Therefore, this tool has been useful in solving most of the environmental, ecological, economic, social and political problems within the modern society. This paper seeks to establish an affirmation to the proposition that system thinking is vital in achieving solutions for sustainability challenges. This proposition will be proven by the use of an example of a wicked problem often witnessed in our societies. Domestic violence exemplifies a social problem in modern families, and this will form part of the study in this paper. Systems thinking approach for problem solution Problems and challenges have formed part of everyday life of modern society. The differences existing among individuals in the society define why constant challenges and problems keep on occurring. Besides, challenges such as environmental problems, political problems and even ecological imbalances affect the modern society. The solution to these problems has problem herculean in most instances leading to a reoccurrence of the same problems (Nguyen & Bosch 2013). Systems approach focuses on viewing the individual part to a system rather than the entire system as a whole. The belief of this approach lies in the system knows which affirms that a system is composed of individual and separate interrelated parts. Therefore, a system is just a sum of several interrelated functions or parts. The traditional problem solution approach only focused on a general view of the entire system for purposes of solving the problem (Espinosa et al. 2008). The challenge with this approach was a lack of conscience view of interrelated issues and the environment building to the problem. The solution drawn in such cases, therefore, lacked the sustainability promise which requires a long term solution to problems. This approach asserts that everything is interconnected. Therefore, offering a wholesome settlement of a problem would require a careful study of all the related parts and phenomena to derive an amicable solution for purposes of sustainability (Haines 2016). One fundamental attribute of this approach is its macroscopic nature of solving problems as opposed to the microscopic view adopted by traditional problem solvers. The macroscopic view focuses on assessing every part of the system, how they are a related and possible assessment of problem occurs within such interrelated parts. Therefore, it views how different interact with one another and how best to solve the problems generated out of such interactions. It’s different from the microscopic view which only considers the specific problem and making a solution to the single problem. The system thinking approach is viewed as the best solution for complex or repetitive problems since such problems may be interrelated with one another. Proponents of this method of solving problems believe it’s best suited to achieve sustainability on solution generated (Hoban 2002). System thinking approach for suitability challenges There lies a sharp contrast between coming up with a solution to a problem and coming up with a ‘sustainable’ solution to a problem. The traditional approach normally considers the particular problem and strives to generate a specific solution to such a problem. This has been termed as a reductionist view to solving a problem. The aim of the traditional approach is to generate a temporary solution to the problem (Nguyen & Bosch 2013). Therefore, there is a lack of focus on long term benefit of a solution since the drive is to come up with the specific problem to solve the specific solution. The view in this kind of approach is that the system is a whole phenomenon and therefore the solution would suffice in offering a remedy to the entire problem. This paper agrees that this is a deficient approach towards offering a sustainable solution to problems. Sustainability challenges occur when the solutions generated cannot be beneficial in the long run exposing the society to repetitive or changing challenges and problems. System thinking approach underscores the fact that every situation is part of an entire situation. This notion is drawn from the expansionism theory that views the system as interrelated parts of an entire system. It asserts that nothing occurs or exists in isolation and therefore there must be other interrelated components defining the occurrence or existence of a phenomenon. Whenever a problem occurs, the proponents of a System thinking approach tend to be much focused on viewing the interrelating factors to h problem. The rationale of doing this is to emphasize on the fact that nothing occurs or exists in isolation. Problem solution under the System thinking approach views other possible factors leading to the occurrence of the problems and any other ancillary issues to the problem. Therefore, the process of generating the solution would ensure that the caution addresses all the relating views and factors towards the cause of the problem (Haines 2016). Sustainability problems are sometimes referred to as adaptive problems. This implies that they have no static or codified sets of solutions and that they need a dynamic procedure towards their solution. Generating a sustainable solution requires the framing of the problem using dynamic thinking, generating understanding by the use of operational thinking and lastly communication by the use of emphatic thinking. These three aspects can only be achieved by the use of System thinking approach due to its critical and in-depth analysis of all sub systems towards problem solution (Smith 2011). Domestic violence Domestic violence is one of the social problems which keep on occurring within the society. Many static records reveal that cases of domestic violence are highly repetitive and even dynamic. Despite the establishment of laws and policies to curb their occurrence, cases of domestic violence can still be reported. Media reports and even publications reveal a high number of domestic violence cases which affect the modern society. Domestic Violence has been argued to be the aggressive or even violent behaviours within a home which involve violent abuse of a partner or a spouse within the home. There is a wide range of circumstances which qualify as domestic violence (Checkland 1999). Some of the notable scenarios include willful intimidation, sexual assault, physical assault, battery among many other cases. Domestic violence qualifies as a wicked problem since these cases are not stable, socially complex and often lack clear solution. This explains why they keep on occurring within the community. The global statistics in regards to this social anathema is stunning. Every country strives to manage the rising cases and shocking statistical figures regarding Domestic violence. For example, at least one out of five women in Australia has ever gone through Domestic violence. Also, statistics reveal that one in four women in Australia has undergone through the sexual violence ordeal. There are also similar studies regarding violence against men. The implication, therefore, is that this social vice is a problem to the society and it seems not to end any soon (https://anrows.org.au/organisation-type/ngo). Despite several legislations and even ongoing litigations against the offenders, Domestic violence continues to thrive within the modern society. One of the reasons behind the continual sprouting of this wicked problem is due to lack of amicable and sustainable solution which has a long term remedy for its occurrence (Hoban 2002). Most of the policies, laws and regulatory framework established only offer short term solutions and had no long term beneficial remedy. Therefore, the Domestic violence patterns keep on changing and repeating itself. One attribute of Domestic violence is the fact that it has numerous causes. Besides, these causal factors keep on changing, and some are even highly repetitive. The feeling of control or supposed dominance over a partner is regarded as one of the most common causes of Domestic violence. Therefore, children within the homes grow up believing that violence is the best way to solve problems and this makes the cycle continue. System thinking as a sustainable solution to domestic violence System thinking recognizes that there are several factors within the environment which contribute to the occurrence of Domestic violence. Besides, this approach acknowledges that the best way to address this issue is to manage the environmental contributing factors and other ancillary reasons which would instigate the violence. The strategy in this case is to manage the interrelated factors to derive a long-term solution to the menace. Attempting to solve the specific problem through policies and punishments has proven not to be the ideal solution for long-term sustainability (Kay et al. 1999). System thinking would propose that the initial step towards a sustainable solution be pegged on addressing the reasons that push people towards engaging in this kind of violence. This idea is based on the fact that nothing happens without reason and that everything exists because of other ancillary factors. Presently, many issues have been suggested as the probable cause of Domestic violence. For example, the traditional beliefs that women are less positioned in the social tier, background knowledge of the violence from childhood stage, psychological and physiological predisposing factors and as well as alcoholism (Haines 2016). A person would engage in the Domestic violence act after being pushed or caused by another thing. The systems thinking approach believe that understanding the reasons leading to the Domestic violence would be a great milestone towards solving the problem and developing a sustainable reason. For example, people who subscribe to the archaic chauvinism that women are less significant or non-equal to men need to be refreshed from this knowledge. Besides, the people who learnt of those kinds of lifestyle from their childhood stages need to be taught and dissuaded from such beliefs (Fiksel 2006). Understanding the cause of the violence would help in generating the sustainable solution. Systems thinking would recommend that education is used and implemented as one of the beneficial ways towards adopting a sustainable solution. Schools play a significant role in imparting helpful knowledge even on social coexistence. A school system would teach the students against vices such as domestic violence (Hoban 2002). Therefore, the students are made to grow up knowing that this act is wrong. Systems thinking the approach would, therefore, propose that this subject of study be introduced into the school curriculum. Introducing the subject of social violence would enable the students to learn to grow as fathers and mothers with astute beliefs against engaging in Domestic violence at all costs. The challenge of addressing this problem is its dynamic and repetitive nature. The introduction of this topic within the school curriculum would, therefore, be significant in addressing the changing and dynamic patterns of Domestic violence. Besides introducing the subject to schools, proper training and communication need to be done to people in relationships or families. Communication is regarded as an important tool towards addressing problems within the society. For example, organizing workshops, seminars and even religious talks to dissuade the public from engaging in this kind of activity would be a great milestone towards a sustainable solution. The significance of such training and seminars would be to address the dynamics involved in this kind of problem and also to suggest a sustainable solution. The belief asserted by the system thinkers is that solving the surrounding challenges would be sufficient towards addressing the main problem. May be many spouses engage in Domestic violence since they lack knowledge or suffer from domestic illiteracy. Extending such education and learning programs to such spouses would enable them to acquire the right information and learn to make a family devoid of such violence. Conclusion System thinking approach remains as one of the most attributable ways of addressing the challenges affecting the modern societies. It focuses on studying the system as components of other subsystems and not merely as a whole phenomenon. The problem of addressing a challenge using this approach, therefore, focuses on other interrelated factors and issues towards reaching a sustainable problem. This paper focused mainly on affirming that system thinking is a sure way of driving a sustainable solution to problems. The main focus was to adduce how systems approach would be beneficial in managing and solving wicked problems such as domestic violence in the families. References Checkland, P. (1999). Systems thinking. Rethinking management information systems, 45-56. Espinosa, A., Harnden, R., & Walker, J. (2008). A complexity approach to sustainability–Stafford Beer revisited. European Journal of Operational Research, 187(2), 636-651. Fiksel, J. (2006). Sustainability and resilience: toward a systems approach. Sustainability: Science, Practice, & Policy, 2(2). Haines, S. (2016). The systems thinking approach to strategic planning and management. CRC Press. Hoban, G. F. (2002). Teacher learning for educational change: A systems thinking approach. Open University Press. https://anrows.org.au/organisation-type/ngo Kay, J. J., Regier, H. A., Boyle, M., & Francis, G. (1999). An ecosystem approach for sustainability: addressing the challenge of complexity. Futures, 31(7), 721-742. Nguyen, N. C., & Bosch, O. J. (2013). A systems thinking approach to identify leverage points for sustainability: a case study in the Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve, Vietnam. Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 30(2), 104-115. Smith, T. (2011). Using critical systems thinking to foster an integrated approach to sustainability: a proposal for development practitioners. Environment, development and sustainability, 13(1), 1-17. Read More