ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the relationship, validity and usefulness of complexity theory to governance, blogging and social action. Complexity theory, which has had a great deal of success in exploring complex interactions in chemistry, biology, ecology, computer simulations and other fields, has likewise become a useful resource with which to enable social theory to explore its own fundamental dynamics. David Byrne, in 'Complexity, cities and social action', looks at the methodology of action-research and asks how to generalise the complex and developing experience to other practical contexts. He argues passionately that contextualising action-research within a complexity framework re-politicises the urban planning process. Effective governance in the face of complexity requires a commitment to meta-governance rather than relying on just one mode of governance. The chapter also examines the rise of the blogosphere as an example of 'citizen-centric movements' that have made an influence upon political events.
