Technological change in agriculture—The systems movement and power

Abstract

In agriculture the systems approach has almost become orthodoxy. It is widely accepted as an intellectual framework for implementing change. This paper argues that current systems thinking, in seeking to define the sociological underpinnings of the systems movement, fails to address adequately unequal power in human organizations. This paper is concerned with power. It begins by emphasizing the multiplier effect of technology in bringing about change. It then argues that technology is not neutral since changes in practices brought by technological innovations also result in social changes. The theme is developed that the direction and implementation of technological change must confront the politics of power. A perspective for action in the social world is proposed based on an analysis of power in organizations in terms of authority and influence and on the resolution of conflict between interest groups and coalitions by negotiation, using the power-dependence theory. This leads to a framework for implementing change which employs the systems approach in the analysis of natural world systems and a power perspective for action in the social world.