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An open systems critique of the macro theories of development

This study is geared at an open systems critique of the macro theories of development. It is
highlighted in this study that we are living through the realities of the open systems, and yet
much of development thought is based on closed systems philosophies, principle and
ideologies. The first chapter gives an orientation into the origins of both the closed systems
and open systems paradigms respectively. Included in this orientation chapter, is the
literature review of the various research contributions of the major trends in development
thought. The second chapter expands on the evolution of the closed systems paradigm and
its influences on development thought. This chapter further explains the attendant
philosophies, principles and ideologies that underlie the closed systems paradigm. The third chapter captures the open systems paradigm and its influences on contemporary
development discourse. Further to the discussion on the closed systems paradigm, the
chapter elaborates on the philosophies, principles and processes that underlie this paradigm.
The fourth chapter is on a discussion of trends in development thinking, traced from the
traditional, through the medieval to the modern, right up to the contemporary. This entails
tracing the theory to its ontological background right up to its implications for social reality in
contemporary development thought and experience. The fifth chapter is on the open systems
critique of the trends in development thinking, while the sixth chapter revisits the open
systems paradigm and its implications for development thought. In the seventh chapter is the
recapitulation of the findings in the study and recommendations for both development thought and practice. / Public Administration and Management / D. Litt. et Phil. (Development Administration)

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/18172
Date11 1900
CreatorsMatshabaphala, Johannes David Manamela
ContributorsDe Beer, F. C.
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
Format1 online resource (x, 178 leaves)

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