"Event-Dominated Dynamics in Constrained Complex Systems"

This work examines dynamical regimes in which system evolution is governed not by smooth, continuous processes but by discrete, high-impact events. We define event-dominated dynamics as a regime where state transitions, structural reconfiguration, or observable change occur primarily during episodic events, while inter-event evolution contributes comparatively little to long-term outcomes. Using a constraint-based framework, we show that event-dominated behavior emerges naturally in systems operating near structural, energetic, or informational limits. In such regimes, continuous approximations become insufficient, and system response is better characterized by duty cycles, hysteresis, and delayed adaptation. The resulting dynamics exhibit temporal clustering, asymmetric recovery, and path-dependent outcomes. Rather than proposing new fundamental mechanisms, this study provides a phenomenological classification of event-dominated regimes across complex systems. The framework is applicable to astrophysical, biological, and engineered systems where constraints regulate the timing and impact of change, offering a unifying lens for interpreting burst-like evolution, quenching transitions, and regime shifts.