Dependence, addiction, shifting the burden to the intervenor all trade power for help.

An actor compares their goals to reality and finds their efforts insufficient and turn to an external actor for help. In this trap, the help comes at the expense of some control over pursuing the goal. Because the root cause was not identified, innate control progressively decreases, the need for intervention continues to increase, and the root cause further obscured. Solutions are withdrawal, sooner than later before too much erosion of ability occurs, through identifying the defect and shoring up innate capability before removing the intervention; and prevention through strengthening capability rather than working around it—problems? Hindrances? Strengthening options?rM3


  1. Donella H. Meadows and Diana Wright, Thinking in Systems: A Primer (White River Junction, Vt: Chelsea Green Pub, 2008). (See notes.)