Human development dynamics: An agent based simulation of adaptive heterogeneous games and social systems

Abstract

In the context of modernization and development, the complex adaptive systems framework can help address the coupling of macro social constraint and opportunity with individual agency. Combining system dynamics and agent based modeling, we formalize the Human Development (HD) perspective with a system of asymmetric, coupled nonlinear equations empirically validated from World Values Survey (WVS) data, capturing the core qualitative logic of HD theory. Using a simple evolutionary game approach, we fuse endogenously derived individual socio-economic attribute changes with Prisoner's Dilemma spatial intra-societal economic transactions. We then explore a new human development dynamics (HDD) model behavior via quasi-global simulation methods to explore economic development, cultural plasticity, social and political change. © 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland.