Narratives, paradigms and change – the issue of relevance

Abstract

We show that dominant paradigms influence the relation between narratives and stories. Changes in stories require that paradigms change. Using cybernetic principles, we map the narrative change process across four modes of being. Mode 1 centres on stories that change incrementally. In Mode 2, dominant paradigms are challenged. A plurality of antenarratives with its accompanying cacophony of pro-, counter- and anti-stories indicate paradigmatic war. Mode 3 embraces crisis-narratives as paradigms bifurcate to either pass to their post-narrative demise, or return to Mode 1 with minor adaptations, or may reach Mode 4 to pass through a transformational process (transformation-narratives) that enables them to grasp new problem solutions. Understanding these processes is of importance because they illustrate that, depending on social forces, different narratives are relevant and influential at different times, and may only survive if they are also flexible enough to embrace new ideas and also find the interest of publishers.