Structural Over-Order and Systemic Fragility: The Mallinckrodt Axiom and the Compression–Resonance–Tension Framework for Complex Systems

This paper introduces the Mallinckrodt Axiom, a conceptual inversion of a dominant assumption in modern systems theory, governance, and management science. While conventional models typically associate systemic stability with increasing levels of order, optimization, and control, this work proposes the opposite mechanism: complex systems frequently collapse not because of chaos or insufficient order, but because of structural over-order. When optimization compresses internal variance and suppresses environmental feedback, systems may appear increasingly efficient while simultaneously becoming structurally fragile. This dynamic is conceptualized within the Meta-Model of Singularization, which describes the progressive loss of adaptive capacity in complex adaptive systems. To operationalize this principle, the paper introduces the Compression–Resonance–Tension Index (CRTI) as a diagnostic indicator of systemic fragility. The framework is illustrated through cross-disciplinary analogies drawn from material science (brittle fracture), ecology (monocultures), and control theory (over-optimized feedback systems). The proposed framework aims to provide a generalizable diagnostic perspective for analyzing collapse dynamics in socio-technical, economic, ecological, and organizational systems. By reframing systemic failure as a consequence of excessive structural order rather than disorder, the Mallinckrodt Axiom offers a new lens for studying resilience, adaptability, and long-term stability in complex systems. Optimierte Keywords (20) Diese sind speziell für Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar und ResearchGraph gewählt: Complex Systems Systems Theory Structural Fragility Systemic Collapse Adaptive Systems Resilience Theory Cybernetics Nonlinear Dynamics Complex Adaptive Systems Organizational Collapse Ecological Stability Structural Compression Mallinckrodt Axiom Compression Resonance Tension Index CRTI Singularization System Optimization Feedback Dynamics Governance Systems System Resilience