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A (computational) social science perspective on societal transitions

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  • Flaminio Squazzoni

    (University of Brescia)

Abstract

This paper aims to illustrate how social sciences, sociology in particular, have theorized on societal transitions. The first section introduces some preliminary definitions. The assumption is that a societal transition is more than a social, economic or technological change. It is a large-scale and long-term macro process through which a given social system radically changes its structural basis, in terms of new socio-technical practices, governance rules, social and economic institutions, cultural frames, and patterns of social life. The second section provides an excursus on social science accounts on transitions. In particular, the attention has been given to Norbert Elias’ famous study on the rise and fall of the court society in France, between 17th and 18th century and to Manuel Castells’ recent analysis of the emergence of the network society. The third section discusses problems and challenges of standard approaches and suggests some building blocks of societal transition models, taken from complexity and social simulation literature. The concluding section suggests some way-forward measures towards a computational social science approach to societal transitions.

Suggested Citation

  • Flaminio Squazzoni, 2008. "A (computational) social science perspective on societal transitions," Computational and Mathematical Organization Theory, Springer, vol. 14(4), pages 266-282, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:comaot:v:14:y:2008:i:4:d:10.1007_s10588-008-9038-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10588-008-9038-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Geels, Frank W. & Schot, Johan, 2007. "Typology of sociotechnical transition pathways," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(3), pages 399-417, April.
    2. Hommels, Anique & Peters, Peter & Bijker, Wiebe E., 2007. "Reply to Geels and Schot," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(7), pages 1102-1103, September.
    3. Rosaria Conte & Bruce Edmonds & Scott Moss & R. Keith Sawyer, 2001. "Sociology and Social Theory in Agent Based Social Simulation: A Symposium," Computational and Mathematical Organization Theory, Springer, vol. 7(3), pages 183-205, October.
    4. Geels, Frank W., 2002. "Technological transitions as evolutionary reconfiguration processes: a multi-level perspective and a case-study," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 31(8-9), pages 1257-1274, December.
    5. Arnstein Aassve & Francesco C. Billari & Zsolt Spéder, 2006. "Societal Transition, Policy Changes and Family Formation: Evidence from Hungary," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 22(2), pages 127-152, June.
    6. Geels, Frank W., 2004. "From sectoral systems of innovation to socio-technical systems: Insights about dynamics and change from sociology and institutional theory," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 33(6-7), pages 897-920, September.
    7. Jeroen C.J.M. van den Bergh & Frank R. Bruinsma (ed.), 2008. "Managing the Transition to Renewable Energy," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 12697.
    8. Riccardo Boero & Marco Castellani & Flaminio Squazzoni, 2008. "Individual behavior and macro social properties. An agent-based model," Computational and Mathematical Organization Theory, Springer, vol. 14(2), pages 156-174, June.
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    2. Zolfagharian, Mohammadreza & Walrave, Bob & Raven, Rob & Romme, A. Georges L., 2019. "Studying transitions: Past, present, and future," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(9), pages 1-1.
    3. Jesús Rosales-Carreón & César García-Díaz, 2015. "Exploring Transitions Towards Sustainable Construction: The Case of Near-Zero Energy Buildings in the Netherlands," Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, vol. 18(1), pages 1-10.
    4. Anna Dimitrova & Katarina Hollan & Daphne Channa Laster & Andreas Reinstaller & Margit Schratzenstaller & Ewald Walterskirchen & Teresa Weiss, 2013. "Literature Review on Fundamental Concepts and Definitions, Objectives and Policy Goals as well as Instruments Relevant for Socio-ecological Transition. WWWforEurope Working Paper No. 40," WIFO Studies, WIFO, number 47015, April.
    5. Jos Timmermans & Hans Haan & Flaminio Squazzoni, 2008. "Computational and mathematical approaches to societal transitions," Computational and Mathematical Organization Theory, Springer, vol. 14(4), pages 391-414, December.
    6. Li, Francis G.N. & Trutnevyte, Evelina & Strachan, Neil, 2015. "A review of socio-technical energy transition (STET) models," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 290-305.

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