Mapping World Problems: illustrated by the case of IGOs and NGOs

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Previously published in International Associations 24, August-September, pp. 414-417 [PDF version]. In 1971 the Union of International Associations did a preliminary study to establish the feasibility of producing a comprehensive map of world problems. From August 1972, in association with Mankind 2000, it worked on the preparation of a Yearbook of World Problems to describe and interrelate the, possibly several thousand, problems which are the concern of different international bodies. The following text accompanied the announcement of this.

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Mapping World Problems
Objective
Technique
Example
Comment
Contextual Knowledge

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Introduction

It is becoming widely accepted that world problems do not exist in isolation from one another. They are linked together in complex networks of causeeffect relationships. Social problems contribute to economic problems which both interact with education problems, health problems and agricultural problems. We have not yet begun to understand all these interlinkages. The Club of Rome sponsored study (See : Quo Vadis UNO ?, International Associations, 1971, 10) at M.l.T. under Dennis Meadows attempted to study some key relationships using computer techniques. This project has sparked off much enthusiasm and further projects (A new body is being created in Paris called the Institute for Systemic Analysis) - but it has also given rise to much countercriticism. The situation is not clear, but whatever the outcome there is a consenus that we need to be able to look at networks of problems. The following paragraphs describe a very symple technique for clarifying one's own perception of any network of problems with which one is concerned.