Polycrisis Map: A framework for understanding and addressing inequity
Congrats, if you read that title that sounds a little like gibberish and still continued reading, you’re a real one! First, let’s figure out what a Polycrisis Map is.
In today's complex world, inequity is not just a singular issue but a web of interconnected systems and structures that perpetuate disparities across various domains. Understanding the intricacies of these systems is crucial for devising effective strategies to address inequality. Enter the Polycrisis Map – a powerful tool that offers a comprehensive framework for dissecting the interconnected nature of inequity and its impact on all of us.
The Polycrisis Map transcends traditional linear models of analysis by recognizing that social, economic, and political issues are not isolated but deeply intertwined. It visualizes the complex interactions between different systems and highlights how disparities in one area can reverberate across multiple domains.
Polycrisis is an idea that was launched by a French theorist of complexity called Edgar Morin, and then it was picked up by Jean-Claude Juncker, the President of the European Commission, in 2016, to describe the experience of trying to govern Europe when you had to deal with the Greek debt crisis, Putin's first aggression against Ukraine and the rumblings of Brexit in the background, and the refugee crisis in Syria spilling over into Europe.
What he was trying to get at, and why I think the term is still useful, is this experience of no single crisis with a single clearly defined logic. The financial crisis [for example] was about mortgage-backed securities. But this coming together at a single moment which, on the face of it, don't have anything to do with each other, but seem to pile onto each other to create a situation in the minds of policymakers, business people, families, individuals.
At QuakeLab, we have always worked to understand the way systems and their discrepancies overlap, interact and compound. Polycrisis has been a critical framework in helping us understand how to define problems in a robust way, and how to create solutions for that don't replicate the root of the problem. This layering of systems that become more nefarious, expensive and damaging as a whole than in their individual parts becomes an excellent way to discuss perceived neutrality and invisible factors. For instance, recent data has shown us that Black entrepreneurs in Canada receive less funding than white entrepreneurs, and have less access to mentorship. On it's own, that statement can be quickly explained away by two ideas:
The people/softwares making decisions about which entrepreneur is eligible for funding does not know the race of the applicant.
Perhaps Black entrepreneurs are just too risky for banks and financial institutions.
By applying the polycrisis framework, we're able to map out all the seemingly neutral systems at play and how they create racial disparities. This begins to paint a clear picture of why Black entrepreneurs get less access to funding and mentorship and how this access is decided way before they submit an application to a loan provider. This framework also furthers the case for the importance of Canada to develop a culture of collecting, and using disaggregated data. Without high quality data, those two explanations would be where the problem starts and ends.
Interconnected Systems of Inequity
Practically speaking, what does using a Polycrisis Map as a framework for thinking about the systems you work within?
Education and Socio-economic Status
The Polycrisis Map can reveal the intricate relationship between education and socio-economic status. Research consistently shows that individuals from marginalized communities face systemic barriers in accessing quality education, which in turn limits their opportunities for economic advancement. This creates a cycle of intergenerational poverty and perpetuates disparities in income, employment, and wealth accumulation.
Healthcare and Social Determinants of Health
Health outcomes are heavily influenced by social determinants such as income, education, and access to healthcare. The Polycrisis Map can help illustrate how systemic inequities in these areas contribute to disparities in health outcomes, with marginalized communities experiencing higher rates of chronic illness, shorter life expectancy, and limited access to healthcare services.
Criminal Justice and Racial Injustice
The criminal justice system is rife with systemic biases that disproportionately impact communities of color. The Polycrisis Map becomes an invaluable tool in unveiling how racial profiling, discriminatory sentencing practices, and unequal access to legal representation perpetuate cycles of incarceration and disenfranchisement, further exacerbating socio-economic inequalities.
Leveraging the Polycrisis Map for Change
Understanding the interconnected nature of inequity is the first step towards meaningful change. The Polycrisis Map provides a roadmap for identifying leverage points and developing holistic interventions that address root causes rather than symptoms. Here are some ways to leverage this tool for transformative action:
Intersectional Approaches
Recognize that inequity is multifaceted and requires intersectional approaches that consider the overlapping identities and experiences of marginalized communities. The Polycrisis Map encourages us to examine how different systems intersect and intersect to perpetuate inequality, allowing for more nuanced and targeted interventions.
Policy Reform
Advocate for policy reforms that address systemic inequities across multiple domains. The Polycrisis Map can guide policymakers in identifying areas for intervention and designing policies that promote equity and social justice.
Community Empowerment
Empower communities to become agents of change by providing them with the tools and resources to advocate for their own needs. The Polycrisis Map can serve as a tool for community organizing, helping to identify shared goals and mobilize collective action.
Inequity is not a simple problem with a single solution but a complex web of interconnected systems that perpetuate disparities across multiple domains. The Polycrisis Map offers a powerful framework for understanding the root causes of inequity and devising comprehensive strategies for change. By leveraging this tool to dissect and address the interconnected nature of systemic barriers, we can work towards a more just and equitable society and institutions. Using tools and frameworks like the Polycrisis Map allows us as a team to approach any project and client with a more nuanced understanding of the challenge we’ve been brought to solve. To be clear, this is applied across industries, organizations and challenges, from when we’re figuring out how to build Lawn Bowling in Ontario, to asset naming in Mississauga, or engineering in Canada.