| Résumé: |
This master's thesis offers a critical synthesis of Joseph Tainter's work on the evolution of complex societies. In 1988, Tainter published The Collapse of Complex Societies, which very quickly became a reference on collapse. Tainter's thinking has had a lasting influence on thinking in various fields around ecology and sustainability issues. Most of the academic interest is focused on The Collapse of Complex Societies. However, Tainter has (co-)published nearly 80 documents since 1988, most of them with little or no coverage. This work synthesizes these documents and puts Joseph Tainter's entire thinking on the evolution of complex societies in perspective. This synthesis highlights elements that the author has developed over the years, while trying to clarify certain notions or infer their implications. The synthesis identifies a dynamic of company evolution as well as the main drivers of this dynamic. A critical approach is favoured, between synthesis and commentary in order to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the evolution model established by Tainter. Once the theoretical framework has been clarified, the work assesses the current situation by discussing truly effective sustainability options. In fact, Tainter takes a fundamentally different perspective on sustainability than mainstream or radical trends on the issue. In conclusion, this perspective raises questions about the current relevance of sustainability thinking while proposing new avenues for research.
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Mémoire [5.1 Mo]