David Hawk's new book, Human Nature and the Potential in Nurture, investigates the intricate relationship between human behavior, social structures, and environmental degradation. Drawing from academic research and professional practice, the book argues that the same patterns of regulation and control governing human interactions often extend to humanity's relationship with nature, exacerbating ecological problems.
The research originated during Hawk's doctoral studies in systems sciences at the University of Pennsylvania, conducted in collaboration with the Institute of International Business at the Stockholm School of Economics. The project involved twenty firms and six governments, providing a broad, cross-sectoral perspective. Hawk examines how strategic threats and regulatory frameworks influence relationships among individuals and institutions, and how these dynamics similarly shape interactions with the natural world.
Rather than focusing solely on ecological outcomes, the book analyzes underlying social structures that contribute to environmental challenges. It spans interpersonal relationships, organizational behavior, and public policy, presenting a systems-based perspective on how societal actions affect broader environmental conditions. Hawk's extensive professional background in engineering, planning, architecture, leadership development, and higher education informs his examination of how institutions develop responses to complex problems and how those responses can sometimes reinforce the conditions they seek to address.
"The work grew from a desire to better understand the relationship between human systems and natural systems, and how patterns of behavior influence both," Hawk stated. "The research sought to examine those connections through a systems perspective."
Hawk's personal history includes growing up on an Iowa farm, studying engineering, city planning, and corporate planning, and serving in Vietnam from 1966 to 1968. His career has spanned the United States, Sweden, Finland, Japan, England, China, and other international settings, where he has contributed to urban planning, business management, public policy, and executive education. He has served as a professor, academic administrator, and program developer, establishing educational initiatives and doctoral-level institutes focused on leadership and organizational development.
Human Nature and the Potential in Nurture is available through major online booksellers in print and digital formats, including Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and Walmart. The book contributes to ongoing interdisciplinary discussions concerning environmental management, social organization, and long-term sustainability.
