Ackoff Center Weblog

Transforming The Systems Movement

Russell L. Ackoff
Philadelphia, May 19, 2004

In the opening speech at the Third International Conference on Systems Thinking in Management (ICSTM '04), Russell Ackoff declared the state of the world a mess, and went on to describe how the systems community can promote global development by changing the way public policies and
decisions are made.

To read this article, click on the link:Transforming The Systems Movement

Designing A Replacement For The UN

Russell L. Ackoff and Jamshid Gharajedaghi

The UN is not effective in creating peace or order in the world. We have produced an idealized design of an institution to replace it: a Union of Democratic Nations. This is intended to provoke discussion that will approach a desirable and feasible alternative to the UN. The properties desired of the Union are specified and the procedure and requirements for joining it. Rules for separation from the Union are also formulated, as are conditions for continued membership. The services to be provided are specified and the system of governance is designed. Finally, the rights of member states are described.

To read this article, click on the link: Designing A Replacement For The UN.