![]() In political-economies, the substance of that larger mass (beneath the tip of the iceberg) is defined by the assumptions we hold: because these determine, the things we value, our goals, our thinking processes and ultimately behaviors. As shown in this diagram, this large below-water metaphoric mass consists of: the beliefs (mental models, assumptions) we use in defining our economies the visions and values we hold as we forge a path to the future the organizational structures that emerge from these aspirations (which determine how effectively information flows) and the life-mimicking behaviors that ultimately determine economic results. Jay’s book is grounded in the work of Systems Thinker Donella Meadows who introduced her renowned Iceberg diagram to demonstrate the power of core assumptions. Jay uses the Iceberg in his book as a visual metaphor to draw attention to the reality that the 10% we see above the water (economic results) is in fact supported by a much larger mass of thoughtful activity below the surface. That’s because people and Nature are the source of capital assets and indeed all value creation.” “When we approach economies as sub-systems of Nature, for example, we place a higher value on living assets (people and Nature) than on non-living capital assets. ![]() Following the publication of Profit For Life (2006) and Companies That Mimic Life (2016), Jay’s latest work explores the growing realization that economies are sub-systems of life, rather than super-systems that are apart from and above life. “Folks who do systems analysis have a great belief in “ leverage points.” These are places within a complex system (a corporation, an economy, a living body, a city, an ecosystem) where a small shift in one thing can produce big changes in everything.” – Donella MeadowsĪcademy Board Member, Jay Bragdon, will soon be publishing his latest book – Economies that Mimic Life. By Comments Off on Leverage Points and the Iceberg Model in Economic Development
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