Using systems thinking to transform society: The European Food System as a case study

In complex systems, such as the European food system, solving problems

which lead to biophysical and humanitarian impacts requires a new approach.

When not considering the problems within the context of the system they

exist in, attempts to fix the problems often lead to unintended and unforeseen

consequences.

In this guidebook, we first explain the basics of systems theory. Common

patterns we see in system dynamics, which perpetuate problems, are often

termed ‘system archetypes’. As a starting point, some of these archetypes are

introduced with examples from the food system, to explain why it is difficult to

break free of destructive cycles of behaviour.