Glossary
This glossary defines the concepts, typologies, theories, measures, and paradigms created, extended, or critiqued by Yuen Yuen Ang across her research and writing. Each entry provides a canonical definition and situates the term within Ang’s intellectual forest of AIM (Adaptive, Inclusive, Moral), a paradigm designed for a disrupted, multipolar world. AIM is a dynamic paradigm, not a static framework.
Rather than a list of standalone terms, the glossary maps the genealogical pathways through which Ang’s ideas are generated, operationalized, applied, refined over time—and ultimately, communicated to global audiences. It links her ideas to one another and identifies specific publications as sites of conceptual coinage and empirical demonstration, providing a structured guide for interpreting Ang’s work as a unified, generative system of thought.
Currently, there are 27 entries, with more coming soon. Although entries are listed alphabetically, the recommended way to explore the glossary is structurally: begin with the historical context that defines our times, then move from foundational assumptions to theories, models, and applications (climate and soil → seeds → trees → canopy).
Organizing Logic
Paradigm (how to read everything that follows; core assumptions as source code)
Climate & soil / the times: Polytunity (in contrast to Polycrisis, Industrial–Colonial Paradigm); World Order After 2025 for why we need a new paradigm now
Seeds / the proposed paradigm: AIM (Adaptive, Inclusive, Moral) Political Economy, with three pillars
Trees & canopy: From these assumptions flow concepts (e.g., Influence vs. Control), models (e.g, Directed Improvisation), theories (e.g., Coevolutionary Development), methods (e.g., Mapping Coevolution), and applications across regional and historical contexts.
Explore the Full Map
For a full map of how all of Ang’s ideas connect to one another, see: [Full Glossary Map] (forthcoming)
Browse the glossary alphabetically: Select a letter below to view all entries beginning with that letter.