Alonso’s Systemic Model: A Review and Representation

Abstract

This article reviews the development of Alonso’s systemic model and presents a seemingly meaningful new departure. It first traces the evolution of Alonso’s own views of the model and then surveys the various efforts of estimating the model and interpretations by other researchers. Issues and problems are identified. A model representing the observed data in terms of the variables in the systemic model is proposed. It is shown that the model is identifiable, interpretable without ambiguity, and can be used for predictive use as well. Further extensions and research issues are discussed.