THE VALUE OF A SYSTEMS-APPROACH FOR ADVANCING THE COEVOLUTION OF ETHNIC CULTURES AND SOCIETY

Traditional ethnic cultures have difficulties co-evolving with their r apidly changing environments, especially the larger societal environme nt. Often cultural systems are unable to assist members in coping with accelerating technological, social and political changes. Systems inq uiry offers ways and means to address this predicament. This article e xplores the value of applying a systems approach to the creation of in stitutional arrangements by which ethnic groups might better develop t heir cultural systems in order to create mutually beneficial co-evolut ionary relationships with the societal environment.