Strategy Is the Central Concept

         The theoretical structure is a context for dynamic systems theory.  Therefore properties of system dynamics, including equilibrium, volatility, and repeated cycles must be expressed.  In particular, change with respect to time must be expressed.

         Time enters in two different ways.  First, the classic causal structures of the natural sciences that define historical processes must be expressed, including physical and biological constraints, such as changes of environments that affect food supply and other resources.  The past is expressed as a structural constraint on the present.

         Second, however, time must be expressed for each individual allowing for behavioral options including choice behavior.  For each individual there is past time and future time.  At the simplest level the past enters as an estimate of the likelihood of an event occurring in the future, and the past also enters into future expectations of reward (or of utility associated with that event).

         At this level choice behavior can be viewed as maximizing expected utility.    By placing the choice in a game context a structured future can be described with uncertain outcomes.    Strategy then becomes the device that links past time and future time.  Strategies are devised from past experience and they define future choices.

         At the simplest level strategy can be defined in terms of game theory, with rules, payoffs such as zero sums, and other well established features.