Critical systems thinking and social systemic transformation in Malawi
This thesis considers whether critical systems thinking (CST) may assist with social transformation in Malawi, a largely pre-modem and poverty stricken Third World nation. In the process, which must include modernisation, the country's public services appear to be the most viable catalyst and are, therefore, the focus of this research. However, the services are fraught with multiple interlocking problems, most of which emanate from the fact that public services are inextricably connected to a forbidding context and reality in which they work. Most of the problems are cultural and historical. It is argued in this thesis that the most significanteffect of theforbidding context is in the area of the cognitive development of Malawi's people, including the public servants. Colonial socialisation, State political domination and suppression of social discourse, absence of a democratic ethos in governance and society, lack of investment and fluidity have over the centuries impoverished the context, which is also Malawi's social framework of knowledge. This has hampered the cognitive development of a huge majority of Malawians, and prevented progress in socio-political development. It has also interlocked with other
Mvula, Aubrey Harry
Philosophy
Critical systems thinking and social systemic transformation in Malawi. This thesis considers whether critical systems thinking (CST) may assist with social transformation in Malawi, a largely pre-modem and poverty stricken Third World nation. In the process, which must include modernisation, the country's public services appear to be the most viable catalyst and are, therefore, the focus of this research. However, the services are fraught with multiple interlocking problems, most of which emanate from the fact that public services are inextricably connected to a forbidding context and reality in which they work. Most of the problems are cultural and historical. It is argued in this thesis that the most significanteffect of theforbidding context is in the area of the cognitive development of Malawi's people, including the public servants. Colonial socialisation, State political domination and suppression of social discourse, absence of a democratic ethos in governance and society, lack of investment and fluidity have over the centuries impoverished the context, which is also Malawi's social framework of knowledge. This has hampered the cognitive development of a huge majority of Malawians, and prevented progress in socio-political development. It has also interlocked with other
critical system think social systemic transformation malawi considers_whether critical system think may assist social_transformation malawi largely pre modem poverty third_world nation process must include modernisation country public_service appear viable catalyst therefore focus research however service fraught multiple problem emanate fact public_service inextricably connect context reality work problem cultural_historical argue context area cognitive development malawi people include public servant colonial socialisation state political domination suppression social discourse absence democratic ethos governance society lack investment fluidity century impoverish context also malawi social framework knowledge hamper cognitive development huge majority prevent progress socio_political development also interlock