Nonlinear Dynamics, Mathematical Biology, And Social Science: Wise Use Of Alternative Therapies (Santa Fe Institute Series)

These lectures develop simple models of complex social processes using nonlinear dynamics and mathematical biology. Dynamical analogies between seemingly disparate social and biological phenomena—revolutions and epidemics, arms races, and ecosystem dynamics—are revealed and exploited. Nonlinear Dynamics, Mathematical Biology, and Social Science invites social scientists to relax—in some cases abandon—the predominant assumption of perfectly informed utility maximization and explore social dynamics from such perspectives as epidemiology and predator-prey theory. The volume includes a concentrated course on nonlinear dynamical systems.