Multi-level Cellular Automata & Social Dynamics

Social and biological systems consist of many levels, typically hierarchically arranged, with different mechanisms and rules for organizing information and decision-making at each level. Rules governing individual acts for cooperative activities, for example, are quite different from those of a government that enforces laws for businesses. These different rules are distinctive to their own level. Yet, because adjacent levels interact, one level can influence outcomes of another and ideally should be made harmonious, otherwise chaos is likely. We illustrate behavioral dynamics using a simplified three layer social system consisting of Individuals (agents), Parties (groups) and a High Level Control or governing body.