A feedback model for the evolution of civilizations

The paper proposes a simple feedback model capable of explaining the evolution of various civilizations as determined by historians and scientists. The forward path of this feedback model consists of a first-order system, accounting for an accumulation process, in series with a pure time delay, and...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Systems science & control engineering 2014-12, Vol.2 (1), p.285-290
Main Authors: Borgatti, Elena, Viaro, Umberto
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
complex systems
feedback control
time-delay systems
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The paper proposes a simple feedback model capable of explaining the evolution of various civilizations as determined by historians and scientists. The forward path of this feedback model consists of a first-order system, accounting for an accumulation process, in series with a pure time delay, and its feedback path consists of a constant possibly preceded by a filter. To account for an eventual decline, a smoothed derivative term can also be added. It is shown how the evolution pattern depends on few model parameters susceptible to interesting interpretations, thus providing a powerful "tool for thought". The relation of the suggested model with the Phillips model of a closed economy is also pointed out.
ISSN:2164-2583
2164-2583
DOI:10.1080/21642583.2014.897657