Complexity Theory, Systems Theory, and Multiple Intersecting Social Inequalities

Walby, Sylvia

doi:10.1177/0048393107307663

Cited by 385 publications

(310 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…In recent years, Luhmann's domination of social systems theory has been challenged by a growing number of social theorists, in particular realists, who reject his rather abstract and virtual notion of the system (Bunge 2004;Elder-Vass 2007b;Pickel 2007;Walby 2007;Wan 2011b). Their main charge is that by disregarding the distinction between the elements and the whole system, Luhmann ends up with holism, where the whole is more important than the parts (Wan 2011a: 40).…”

Section: Systems In Social Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Of course these multilayered system dynamics may operate in nonlinear, potentially chaotic ways; they serve not to regulate the system -maintaining its equilibrium -but rather change both its composition (continually blurring the system/environment boundary) and its dynamism (Walby 2007). For example, the securitisation of migration since 2001 shows how what may once have been seen as a factor external to any migration system between West Africa and Europe, is now incorporated within it.…”

Section: What Do New Advances In Systems Theory Have To Offer Migratimentioning

confidence: 99%

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Relaunching migration systems

Bakewell¹

2013

Migration Studies

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The concept of the migration system, first popularised in the 1970s, has remained a staple component of any review of migration theory. Since then, it has been cast somewhat adrift from its conceptual moorings; today in the literature migration systems are generally either conflated with migrant networks or elevated to the heights of macro-level abstraction which divorces them from any empirical basis. At the same time, by taking on board more sophisticated notions of agency, emergence, and social mechanisms, the broader concept of the social system has moved on from the rather discredited structural-functionalist marina where it was first launched. In recent years, having been rejected by many social theorists, the social system has been subject to major reconstruction prior to its re-launch as a respectable and valuable area of social enquiry. This paper argues that, for the most part, these developments in systems theory have been ignored by those applying the concept of systems to the analysis of migration. It addresses the question of how the concept of the migration system can be reformulated in the light of these theoretical advances and what implications this may have for our research and analysis. Non-technical summaryIn recent years debates about the idea of the 'social system' have been reinvigorated by accounts drawing on notions of agency, emergence, and social mechanisms. This paper argues that these developments in systems theory have largely been ignored by those applying the concept of systems to the analysis of migration. The paper addresses the question of how the concept of the migration system can be reformulated in the light of these theoretical advances and what implications this may have for our research and analysis.

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Section: Systems In Social Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: What Do New Advances In Systems Theory Have To Offer Migratimentioning

confidence: 99%

Relaunching migration systems

Bakewell¹

2013

Migration Studies

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“…I can only briefly note some of the ways in which it has been conceived here. The idea that gender, race and class are distinctive systems of subordination with their own range of specific social relations (Williams 1989;Weber 2001) is found in a range of work (see also Walby 2007 for the application of complexity theory). On the other hand gender, race and class may be treated as different ideological (e.g.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Intersections of Class, Gender, Sexuality and ‘Race’: The Political Economy of Gendered Violence

Anthias

2013

Int J Polit Cult Soc

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This article focuses on rethinking the intersectional approach towards a greater framing within the new political economy, and particularly concerns itself with the ways such an approach can contribute to theorising various manifestations of gendered violence. The article examines a range of different forms of violence, and reflects on how an intersectional framing can inform our understanding better. Some of the intersectional dimensions to domestic violence, rape and sexual assault, honour based crimes and trafficking are discussed.

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“…Whilst people with dementia have traditionally been assumed to lack agency, the research showed how women with dementia convey a 'sense of agency' within their relationships, albeit constrained by gendered norms and expectations (see Kabeer 1999). Thus, this study has highlighted the need for a multidimensional approach to researching everyday life in dementia which takes account of intersectionality, in order to develop a more enriched understanding of the social factors that facilitate or constrain women's agency (see Walby 2007). The study also demonstrated the value of facilitating the research participation of people with significantly impaired speech and/or more advanced dementia.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 93%

‘Can't cook, won't cook’: men's involvement in cooking when their wives develop dementia

Boyle

2013

Journal of Gender Studies

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The division of household labour in heterosexual couples continues to be unequal, indicating that gender inequality persists in the domestic sphere. Yet, although there is a lack of gender equity in housework, this is less clear-cut in terms of cooking. This paper explores whether men are willing to cook when their wives develop dementia. The paper presents findings from a qualitative study in England (funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)), which explored the everyday decisions made by married couples when one partner had dementia. The author examines the division of labour within the couples and identifies whether women exercised choice and control over who did the cooking. Although research into dementia usually focuses on the social competence of people with dementia (as determined by their carers), this study explored the domestic competence of both spouses, particularly husbands who were carers. It was found that men are often unable or unwilling to cook when their wives develop dementia or, alternatively, they take over cooking altogether, thereby excluding their wives from a task they enjoy. Gendered patterns of authority or control were apparent in the couples' decision-making dynamics, indicating that gender inequality in relationships persists even when women develop dementia.

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Complexity Theory, Systems Theory, and Multiple Intersecting Social Inequalities

Cited by 385 publications

References 41 publications

Relaunching migration systems

Relaunching migration systems

The Intersections of Class, Gender, Sexuality and ‘Race’: The Political Economy of Gendered Violence

‘Can't cook, won't cook’: men's involvement in cooking when their wives develop dementia

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