A Planet-Wide Information System

Abstract

Purpose -Various economic growth theories propose a view of globalisation resulting in economic convergence. However, others suggest economic divergence (i.e. a widening gap between global rich and poor) and others still, different patterns of development. Hence it is necessary to validate such globalisation hypotheses with sound quantitative data. Design/methodology/approach -The paper proposes the "Global Change Data Base" (GCDB) that includes an analytical tool (AT) providing correlations between primary and secondary data (by country by year) from the fields of population, agriculture, economy, energy and human development. Findings -The AT is able to first test the hypotheses on global development and globalisation and second to suggest new hypotheses on the mechanisms of globalisation. Results can be used in curricula of Global Studies worldwide. Research limitations/implications -These data analysis has still to be complemented by sociological, political and economic theories providing insights into global restructuration processes and structural transitions through globalisation. Practical implications -"Forward-looking" as an emerging scientific discipline is supported by the proposed detailed analytical methods, namely by providing quantitative, in-depth techno-socioeconomic megatrends. Social implications -The perception of globalisation might be rendered more inter-subjectively traceable by the GCDB. Originality/value -Up-to-date means of forward-looking are less detailed regarding economic sectors and energy sources compared to the proposed GCDB.

Forward Looking

“…forward looking that means the assessment of conspicuous "development paths" of technosocio-economic systems by using the "Global Change Data Base" (r G. Ahamer, source, e.g. Ahamer, 2001Ahamer, , 2013, the authors continue their analysis in an article in CWIS 31 (2)). …”

Untitled

“…From these primary variables (mostly "extensive variables" according to the above definition), the GCDB is able to derive several thousand secondary variables such as indicators, intensities or rates (as examples of the above-defined "intensive variables"). The analytical tool of the GCDB (AT) is able to produce both quantitatively and graphically several thousand correlations between the abovementioned variable types (compare Figure 18), as explained in [Ahamer, 2013]. Diagrams are provided on a per-country basis, per continent, and for eleven world regions common to most global modelling, as used in energy economics [IPCC, 2002;GEA, 2012].…”

“…The modelling experience of the author [Ahamer, 2013[Ahamer, , 2019 shows that extensive magnitudes are not likely to follow smooth paths (as has been suggested by the hypothesis of path dependency advocated by some branches of economics). Smooth paths and sizeable trends are more likely to be observed in systemic variables that are considered to describe a system's (here an energy system's) internal structure, inner interdependences and hence temporal dynamics.…”

Applying student-generated theories about global change and energy demand

“…This is exactly the approach of the method T 5 presented here: to combine fact-based knowledge with procedural knowledge. In the setting of T 5 , the sound quantitative basis for facts is the "Global Change Data Base" (Ahamer, 2013c(Ahamer, , 2014 and the basis for procedures is in the spirit of the game-based learning suite "Surfing Global Change" (Ahamer, 2013a).…”

“…This stage of the GCDB's improvement (Ahamer, 2013c) will also allow for exchange and comparison with other research because the results (e.g. country-wise elasticities) can be made communicated in transparent way.…”