Complexity change and space symmetry rupture

Is complexity growth the result of a continuous process or a sudden breakthrough? An increased energy density rate is the effect or the cause of a complexity leap? Should we approach complexity change by the perspective of components behaviour or system's space geometry? In this work we address some of the questions regarding the theoretical approach to complexity change. For this purpose a case study drawn by the productive structure and the transport system is considered. We would like here to propose an example in which the system structure is reshaped in a more energy intensive fashion as to increase the components' interactions due to a symmetry rupture in the space. Flows throughout the system are thereby incremented in a discontinuous way by a complexity leap. In the case study, we analyze how the productive system evolved its structure, between 1970s and 1990s, to increase interactions among its parts and thus further develop the transport sub-system. A two-stage shift has been considered: the fordian and the post-fordian productive structure. The second structure, given the same amount of parts, has been shown to increase the degree of freedom (path length and path diversity) of the system. The underlying evolutionary pattern is then analyzed. This evolutionary pattern relies on the hypothesis that thermodynamic evolutionary systems are characterized by an ever growing influx of energy driven into the system by self-catalytic processes that must find their way through the constraints of the system. The system initially disposes of the energy by expanding, in extent and in the number of components, up to saturation due to inner or outer constraints. The two counteractive forces, constraints and growing energy flux, expose the system to new gradients. Every new (spatial) gradient upon the system represents a symmetry rupture in the components' space. By exploring a new gradient, the system imposes further restrictions on its components and increases its overall degree of freedom. The counteractive effects of reduction/increase of degree of freedom concern two different hierarchical levels and occur at two different space and time scales. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.