What Are the Systemic or Structural Factors

These are the underlying factors that set the operational environment. They are like the rules of the game that set the playing field that one must remain within the boundaries of. They are the incentives that strongly influence an outcome.

These systemic or structural factors are often complex and built conservatively. They are often hidden and not clearly or directly visible. Although they can influence one's life, they are often out of one's direct control.

In order to make meaningful and significant changes to an environment, the root causes - the systemic or structural factors - need to be addressed. In order to best achieve an outcome or a goal, the system needs to be addressed. If the system itself inherently does not reward the right thing, a revolution may be required to make a significant change. However, this comes with potential unintended consequences.

Some examples:

• What are the incentives and biases that influence the outcome?

• Evolution through natural selection - nature is the systemic/structural factor that influences how things evolve

• If many people experience the same thing, and there is even a term for that thing, then it may be systemic.

References

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Beyond Order by Jordan Peterson