# 8. A Systemic Blueprint for Governing
_“Our social systems are far more complex and harder to understand than our technological systems. **Why, then, do we not use the same approach of making models of social systems and conducting laboratory experiments on these models before we try new laws and government programmes in real life?** The answer is often stated that our knowledge of social systems is insufficient for constructing useful models. But what justification can there be for the apparent assumption that we do not know enough to construct models but believe we do know enough to directly design new systems by passing laws and starting new social programmes? I am suggesting that now we do know enough to make useful models of social systems. Conversely, we do not know enough to design the most effective social systems directly without first going through a model building experimental phase. But I am confident, and substantial supporting evidence is beginning to accumulate, that the **proper use of models of social systems can lead us to far better systems, laws, and programmes**.”_ _Jay W. Forrester 1970_