American researcher
David Ronfeldt (David Frederick Ronfeldt) (born 20 June 1941) is an American researcher known for his work on information-centric and network-centric warfare. He holds a doctoral degree from Stanford University and has been a prominent figure at the RAND Corporation.
Ronfeldt has made significant contributions to the understanding of social evolution, particularly with his development of the TIMN framework, which theorizes the evolution of societies through four forms of organization: Tribes, Institutions, Markets, and Networks, which provides a lens to view social evolution and has been influential in various academic and policy-making circles.
With John Arquilla, he coined the term "Noopolitik," which represents the network-based geopolitics of knowledge.
They argue that the development of education and training in "noopolitik" will be critical for future strategists, addressing the current underuse of soft power due to its limited theoretical framework compared to hard power.
Early life and education.
David Ronfeldt completed his doctoral studies at Stanford University, focusing on social science disciplines. His academic background laid the foundation for his future research endeavors, which intersected the fields of political science, sociology, and information technology.
Career at RAND Corporation.
Ronfeldt's career at the RAND Corporation has spanned several decades, during which he has extensively researched the impact of information technology on warfare and society. His work has been pivotal in understanding how technological advancements influence political and social structures.