Part of the Global Ascension Series
Resilience Theory tells us to Get Ready for an Innovation Explosion Thanks to COVID-19
[Updated Oct 15, 2020] Resilience Theory & the Adaptive Cycle
Non-Medium subscribers can access this full article here.
Resilience theory postulates that change is fundamental and the only constant that we can depend on. Because all things change over time, social and ecological systems (from a single entity to the entire planet) must adapt to its changing context — or perish.
Resilience theory uses a systems approach. We can view everything that we are interested in as a system, with internal relationships that are also influenced by external ones. For resilience theory, systems usually include natural ecosystems, countries, cities, companies, economic sectors, civil sectors (such as education and a utility infrastructure).
(Note that the psychological resilience of individuals and social groups differs from this model, which emerged from biology and ecosystem sciences, as well as disaster management studies.)
Figure 1 shows the Resilience Adaptive Cycle. The model suggests that systems move through four general stages or phases:
