TOWARD UNDERSTANDING AND MANAGING UNINTENDEDOUTCOMES: A FRAMEWORK USING SYSTEMS, NETWORK,CHAOS, AND COMPLEXITY THEORY MICHAEL PAUL STATONOCTOBER 2006A THESISSubmitted to the faculty of Clark University, Worcester,Massachusetts, in partial fulfillment of the requirements forthe degree of Master of Arts in the department of International Development, Community, and Environment.And accepted on the recommendation of DAVID BELL, Chief Instructor

ABSTRACTTOWARD UNDERSTANDING AND MANAGING UNINTENDEDOUTCOMES: A FRAMEWORK USING SYSTEMS, NETWORK,CHAOS, AND COMPLEXITY THEORY MICHAEL PAUL STATON

This discussion is an attempt to understand and manage unintendedoutcomes for more successful development. Properties found in Systems, Network,Chaos, and Complexity Theory, referred to as the new sciences, are used to explainwhy development assistance does not often achieve predicted outcomes and ofteninstigates unintended outcomes. The premise is that much assistance has beenunsuccessful because the development industry uses the paradigm, methodology,and standard operating procedure from the natural sciences in environments thatexhibit properties of the new sciences. The paper then uses the properties of thenew sciences to set forward several general guiding principles for futuredevelopment assistance. Examples are given of current practices that utilize thoseproperties and are thus likely to contribute lastingly to development.

DAVID BELL, Ph.D.Chief InstructorSAMUEL RATICK, Ph.D.Assistant Professor

ACADEMIC HISTORY Name (in Full):Michael P. StatonDate: August8, 2006Place of Birth: Houston, TXDate: July 1,1980Baccalaureate Degree:GeographySource: Clark UniversityDate: May 22, 2002Occupation and Academic Connection since date of baccalaureate degree:Michael Staton has taught Social Studies in HoustonIndependent School District since 2004. He now teaches U.S.History at Bellaire High School.