A new study led by researchers at the Columbia Butler Aging Center and the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health introduces an innovative framework for rethinking political decision-making drawing inspiration from how the human body maintains balance and health. The findings appear in npj Complexity, a journal from Springer Nature.

Using simulations modeled on physiological systems, the research explores how networks of decision-makers can be structured to balance democratic principles, efficiency, and practical constraints.

“Many political systems today suffer from inefficiency, instability, or a lack of democratic integrity,” said Dr. Alan Cohen, associate professor of Environmental Health Sciences and the Butler Columbia Aging Center, and the study’s principal investigator. “Our simulations showed that while no single system is flawless, some governance structures perform significantly better than others.”

Cohen notes that the human body refined through billions of years of evolution offers a compelling metaphor for complex decision-making. “Our physiological systems are constantly integrating information and making choices that preserve stability,” he explained. “We used this same logic to inform political models.”

The study centers on a design where small, interconnected groups operate within a larger population, allowing decisions to emerge through a structured, bottom-up process. This decentralized network approach promotes both efficiency and representation.

“Our results highlight how the structure and connectivity of decision-making groups can dramatically affect outcomes,” said Cohen. “Decentralized systems that are well-organized can lead to more effective governance.”

Still, Cohen acknowledges that key questions remain such as the optimal size of decision-making groups, how participants are chosen, and how many “bridges” should connect groups. Behavioral factors also play a role: “What if individuals dominate conversations or resist changing their views?” he asked.

Other essential aspects like public satisfaction and the system’s perceived legitimacy are harder to model but crucial for real-world application. The potential for innovation within group deliberation also presents an important avenue for further research.

“While this is just a first step, our study demonstrates the value of applying complex systems thinking to governance,” Cohen concluded. “Biology-inspired models could pave the way toward more resilient and adaptive political systems something that is urgently needed given today’s political climate.”

The study’s co-authors include researchers from the University of Vermont and Université de Sherbrooke in Canada. Funding was provided by the Fonds de recherche du Québec (Audace award) and The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

Source: https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/news/new-research-reveals-how-physiology-inspired-networks-could-improve-political-decision-making