Stimulating and Resisting Change

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to classify some of the conditions under which change is lively to be successfully stimulated (or successfully resisted) and to imply some kinds of steps which may be fruitfully taken if one wishes to stimulate the occurrence of change. The technique of discussion is to set up a “model” which is a systematic way of viewing the problem. The prescribed model implies that certain consequences may follow if the conditions can be met. The discussion is therefore a theoretical one, and some of the argument is based on linguistic change. Some readers will find it easier to read first the sections entitled “Stimulating Change” and “Resisting Change,” in order to see the practical implications of the model before going back to read the whole article.