[Reference books for IR] - Week 13 - "Thinking in system: A Primer"

System thinking is a phrase that is used quite a lot in life. However, in order to really understand what is systematic thinking, how to think systematically, many students still do not really understand. Thinking in system: A primer by Donella H. Meadows can be viewed as an introductory book for anyone interested in learning about systems thinking and the underlying concepts involved. Systematic thinking is an essential skill no matter whether you study or work in any field. The book will help readers have a whole new perspective on many things and events, very suitable for you who are studying subjects related to research on political and social topics.

Donella H. Meadows is one of the most influential scholars in the field of environmental research. She is a name associated with such names as Limits to Growth - the book she co-authored on economic and population development in a world where resources are finite, or Club of Rome - a The background includes researchers on international political and social topics. Thinking in system is one of Meadows' last books. She completed a draft of the book in 1993 and died in 2001 before finishing the book. The current book is a revised version of the draft. The book has a lot of simple examples from the bath leading to economic, political and social issues to explain the concepts and theories of systems thinking in the easiest way. Issues such as why the system can function on its own or why effects on the system (e.g. making economic and social policies) do not have immediate results are also mentioned by the author in the book.

The 13th week of the Reference books for IR project would like to introduce to you the Book Chapter Review written by MSc. Vo Ngoc Bich Vy, Lecturer, Faculty of International Relations, University of Economics and Finance, Ho Chi Minh City.