Agile Actors on Complex Terrains

This insightful book explores the intersection of complexity science, sociology, and political economy, focusing on public policy implications. Agile Actors on Complex Terrains addresses the dynamics of power and advantage.

This book brings together complexity science, sociological theory, and political economy, applying them to various empirical areas of public policy. Agile Actors on Complex Terrains illustrates how complexity science can shed light on the non-linear dynamics of the social world, but emphasizes that this understanding must also consider the unequal distribution of power and advantage that exists within society.

The text evaluates the relevance and value of complex systems literature to policy-making, contributing significantly to both social theory and policy analysis. To achieve this, Agile Actors on Complex Terrains develops two essential concepts: agile action and transformative realism. It distills major themes from complexity science, presenting them in an accessible way while applying them to core challenges in sociological theory and policy analysis. This book is unique in its integration of complexity science with institutionalism and political economy, both conceptually and methodologically, as well as in terms of implications for policy analysis and practice.

The author demonstrates how the models and methods of social and complexity science can be effectively combined and utilized in empirical public policy areas. He highlights that while complexity science offers valuable insights into social dynamics, it is crucial to understand these insights in relation to the uneven distribution of power and advantage. Engaging with various sociological and policy debates, the book appeals to final-year undergraduates, postgraduate students, and scholars in social and policy studies, as well as policy-makers seeking to navigate complex policy landscapes.