Written in 1939, this volume represents the first systematic revision of Parson’s theory of action following the publication of The Structure of Social Action. It presents the distinctions among cogni
The economic changes of the industrial revolution came to different parts of England at different times. By examining the geography of these changes, this book shows how the pattern of production in an important coalfield changed as it became part of the regional economic system developing around the port of Liverpool. In the first part of the book the author develops a model for studying the geography of economic change by combining the economic location theory of August Losch with concepts from systems theory. He concludes that normative theories possess great value in allowing an ordered description of the process of growth, if not an explanation of it. The theoretical model allows the author to analyse the complex process of change in the coalfield. The combination of theoretical enquiry and detailed archival work provides a thorough account of the transformation of an important industry. In doing so, the book casts considerable light on the process of regional economic development
Paul F. Diehl and Charlotte Ku's new framework for international law divides it into operating and normative systems. The authors provide a theory of how these two systems interact, which explains how changes in one system precipitate changes and create capacity in the other. A punctuated equilibrium theory of system evolution, drawn from studies of biology and public policy studies, provides the basis for delineating the conditions for change and helps explain a pattern of international legal change that is often infrequent and sub-optimal, but still influential.
Paul F. Diehl and Charlotte Ku's new framework for international law divides it into operating and normative systems. The authors provide a theory of how these two systems interact, which explains how changes in one system precipitate changes and create capacity in the other. A punctuated equilibrium theory of system evolution, drawn from studies of biology and public policy studies, provides the basis for delineating the conditions for change and helps explain a pattern of international legal change that is often infrequent and sub-optimal, but still influential.