Growth Quote by Donella H. Meadows
““When we, system dynamicists, see a pattern persist in many parts of a system over long periods, we assume that it has causes embedded in the feedback loop structure of the system. Running the same system harder or faster will not change the pattern as long as the structure is not revised. Growth as usual has widened the gap between the rich and the poor. Continuing growth as usual will never close that gap. Only changing the structure of the system—the chains of causes and effects—will do that.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Limits to Growth, Donella Meadows, 1972
Systemic patterns persist because feedback loops lock causes; changing speed doesn’t alter outcomes without structural change.
In simple terms: Patterns stay when structure stays; change the system to change results.
Key Takeaway
Alter feedback loops to address inequality.
Themes
inequality
systems
feedback
structure
growth
Mood
concerned
urgent
Type
analytical
prescriptive
When to use this quote
- policy reform
- economic planning
- organizational redesign
- education curricula
- community development
Key Concepts
Systems theory
causal loops
structural change
Questions to Reflect On
- What feedback loops sustain inequality?
- How can we redesign them?
A Different Perspective
Structural change is politically difficult and may face entrenched interests.
