Abstract
In this synthesis, we hope to accomplish two things: 1) reflect on how the analysis of the new archaeological cases presented in this special feature adds to previous case studies by revisiting a set of propositions reported in a 2006 special feature, and 2) reflect on four main ideas that are more specific to the archaeological cases: i) societal choices are influenced by robustness-vulnerability trade-offs, ii) there is interplay between robustness-vulnerability trade-offs and robustness-performance trade-offs, iii) societies often get locked in to particular strategies, and iv) multiple positive feedbacks escalate the perceived cost of societal change. We then discuss whether these lock-in traps can be prevented or whether the risks associated with them can be mitigated. We conclude by highlighting how these long-term historical studies can help us to understand current society, societal practices, and the nexus between ecology and society.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Journal | Ecology and Society |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| State | Published - 2011 |
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Keywords
- Archaeology
- Robustness
- Trade-offs
- Transformation
- Vulnerability
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ecology
Cite this
Synthesis : Vulnerability, traps, and transformations-long-term perspectives from archaeology. / Schoon, Michael; Fabricius, Christo; Anderies, John; Nelson, Margaret.
In: Ecology and Society, Vol. 16, No. 2, 2011.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Synthesis
T2 - Vulnerability, traps, and transformations-long-term perspectives from archaeology
AU - Schoon, Michael
AU - Fabricius, Christo
AU - Anderies, John
AU - Nelson, Margaret
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - In this synthesis, we hope to accomplish two things: 1) reflect on how the analysis of the new archaeological cases presented in this special feature adds to previous case studies by revisiting a set of propositions reported in a 2006 special feature, and 2) reflect on four main ideas that are more specific to the archaeological cases: i) societal choices are influenced by robustness-vulnerability trade-offs, ii) there is interplay between robustness-vulnerability trade-offs and robustness-performance trade-offs, iii) societies often get locked in to particular strategies, and iv) multiple positive feedbacks escalate the perceived cost of societal change. We then discuss whether these lock-in traps can be prevented or whether the risks associated with them can be mitigated. We conclude by highlighting how these long-term historical studies can help us to understand current society, societal practices, and the nexus between ecology and society.
AB - In this synthesis, we hope to accomplish two things: 1) reflect on how the analysis of the new archaeological cases presented in this special feature adds to previous case studies by revisiting a set of propositions reported in a 2006 special feature, and 2) reflect on four main ideas that are more specific to the archaeological cases: i) societal choices are influenced by robustness-vulnerability trade-offs, ii) there is interplay between robustness-vulnerability trade-offs and robustness-performance trade-offs, iii) societies often get locked in to particular strategies, and iv) multiple positive feedbacks escalate the perceived cost of societal change. We then discuss whether these lock-in traps can be prevented or whether the risks associated with them can be mitigated. We conclude by highlighting how these long-term historical studies can help us to understand current society, societal practices, and the nexus between ecology and society.
KW - Archaeology
KW - Robustness
KW - Trade-offs
KW - Transformation
KW - Vulnerability
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M3 - Article
VL - 16
JO - Ecology and Society
JF - Ecology and Society
SN - 1708-3087
IS - 2
ER -