"One supposition of this view( complex society's collapse because of depletion of environmental resources) must be that these societies sit by and watch the encroaching weaknesses without taking corrective measures. Here is the major difficulty. Complex societies are designed by centralized decision-making high information flow, great coordination of parts, formal channels of command, and pooling of resources. Much of this structure seems to have the capability, if not the designed purpose, of countering fluctuations and deficiencies in productivity. With their administrative structure, and capacity to allocate both labor and resources, dealing with adverse environmental conditions may be one of the things that complex societies do best. It is curious that they would collapse when faced with precisely the same conditions that they are equipped to circumvent...As it becomes apparent to members of the administrators of complex society that a resource base is deteriorating, it seems most reasonable to assume that rational steps are taken toward a resolution."- Joseph Tainter.
Yet it seems apparent that a failure to act is precisely the root of collapse of societies, failures of group decision making on part of entire society due to conflicting interests and group dynamics.The society either fails to perceive weaknesses or fails to even try to solve them
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