SAGE Open (Apr 2016)

The Modeling of Institutional Modernization by Means of Fractal Geometry

  • Dmitry S. Zhukov,
  • Sergey K. Lyamin

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244016640858
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6

Abstract

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The article presents the General Fractal Model of Transit (GFMT) designed to apply modeling in the sociopolitical disciplines. For the purposes of conducting computer experiments with the model, a “Modernofractal 5.1” program was created. Constructing procedures for algebraic fractals enables to simulate social evolutions in the phase space, mainly their starting and end points. The GFMT formula iteration simulated interaction of a series of abstract governing factors, which may be treated as the most significant for different social systems under the stage of transformation. The GFMT has the potential “tuned,” made more specific, for studying various social phenomena. The authors examined the heuristic opportunities of this analysis tool as applied to the fields of historical and political science research (the object of study was rapid modernization of institutions with informal “game rules”). The article contains descriptions of several GFMT computer experiments demonstrating the analysis tools and interpretability of outcome data.