DOI

Summary
The paper compares two wide-scale conceptual structures embedding complex thinking features, in order to propose a mixed approach involving both of them. The concepts investigated are:
- “Panarchy”, a framework elaborated by Gunderson and Holling, which describes the ways in which complex systems of people and nature are dynamically organized and structured across scales of space and time.
- “World-Systems Analysis”, a geopolitical framework of analysis adopting insights from sociology, politics, history and economics to investigate the evolution of power relations at a global scale.
The author presents the main characteristics of both research methodologies, the main criticisms moved to them and the way in which they could be integrated to supplement for each other’s deficiencies.
In brief, World-Systems Analysis can provide Panarchy with stronger reflections on the impact of economic change, technological shift and political power on socio-ecological systems, while Panarchy would give to World-System Analysis a stronger focus on resilience and ecology, broadening its explanatory power.
The article concludes with examples of methods and historical/prehistorical events of radical change that could be studied in light of the mixed approach proposed.

Relevance for Complex Systems Knowledge
The article proposes a new methodology with a strong focus on interdisciplinarity, as it unites efforts from social sciences and ecological studies. Moreover, it is interesting to note that the publication elaborates a cooperation between Panarchy and World-Systems Analysis on the basis of their non-explicit incorporation of complex systems thinking. Thus, the paper provides also examples of qualitative/discursive complex systems approaches devised within other disciplines, besides the hard sciences often described in other articles. Moreover, it also provides suggestions for the development of a research program, giving insights on how to improve higher education.

Point of Strength
- It adopts methodologies from two quite different disciplines (political science and ecology) to enlarge their explanatory powers and provide new unique insights;
- It does not omits pros and cons of both World-Systems Analysis and Panarchy;
- It immediately presents how the methods could be implemented and on which topics they could provide important insights.