On Modeling Balinese Water Temple Networks as Complex Adaptive Systems

Abstract

adaptive systems has enabled him to develop a computer simulation model that represents the likely evolution of cooperative networks of Balinese rice farmers.2 Lansing attributes both theoretical and practical significance to his model and this is accepted by others (e.g., Asian Development Bank, 1988). Theoretical significance is claimed to lie in showing the explanatory power of models of complex adaptive systems, and the practical value of alternative models has been set aside in favor of managing Balinese rice agriculture on the basis of the Lansing model. Vayda (1997), however, has suggested that ignoring ways in which the Lansing model and the actual history of Balinese rice agriculture diverge may result in attributing undue explanatory power and real-world relevance to the model. Vayda's contention echoes Maynard Smith's (1995, p. 30) statement that constructing models of complex adaptive systems in the absence of good real-world observations is "practicing fact-free science." In what follows, I develop Vayda's suggestion and present possible alternatives to the Lansing model.