Incrementalism in Literature & Literary Theory

Incrementalism: Etymology/Term, Literal and Conceptual Meanings

Etymology/Term:

Incrementalism, derived from the word “increment,” refers to a gradual or step-by-step approach to change, progress, or decision-making. The term emerged in the mid-20th century in the context of political and policy discussions. It highlights the idea of making small, manageable adjustments or additions over time, rather than pursuing radical or revolutionary transformations.

Literal Meaning:

• Gradual Progression: Incrementalism literally denotes progress achieved through successive, small increments or steps.
• Incremental Change: In a literal sense, it implies making changes or modifications in a series of small, measured steps.

Conceptual Meaning:

• Pragmatic Decision-Making: Conceptually, incrementalism is associated with a pragmatic and cautious approach to decision-making, where changes are made incrementally based on practical considerations and feedback.
• Avoidance of Radicalism: It emphasizes the avoidance of abrupt, sweeping changes in favor of a more cautious and adaptive strategy.
• Adaptive Evolution: The concept extends to evolutionary processes, acknowledging that complex systems, whether in politics, policy, or other domains, can evolve and improve over time through incremental adjustments.

Incrementalism: Definition as a Theoretical Term

Incrementalism, as a theoretical term, involves the gradual development or progression of themes, characters, or plot elements throughout a narrative. It is characterized by the deliberate and incremental unveiling of details, allowing the audience to slowly grasp the nuances and complexities within the story. This technique builds suspense, engages the reader’s curiosity, and adds depth to the overall narrative structure.

Incrementalism: Theorists, Works and Arguments

Theorists:

1. Charles E. Lindblom: Lindblom, an American political scientist, introduced the concept of “muddling through” or incrementalism in the field of public policy. His work, particularly “The Science of Muddling Through” (1959), argued for a pragmatic, step-by-step decision-making approach in the face of complexity.
2. Herbert A. Simon: A Nobel laureate in economics, Simon contributed to incrementalism through his concept of “bounded rationality.” In works like “Administrative Behavior” (1947), he emphasized that decision-makers often make choices based on limited information and incremental adjustments rather than pursuing exhaustive analyses.

Works:

1. “The Science of Muddling Through” (1959) by Charles E. Lindblom: Lindblom’s seminal essay outlines the incrementalist approach to public policy, proposing that decision-makers often navigate complex issues through small, practical adjustments rather than comprehensive planning.
2. “Administrative Behavior” (1947) by Herbert A. Simon: While not exclusively focused on incrementalism, Simon’s work on bounded rationality provides insights into decision-making processes that align with the incrementalist perspective, emphasizing the importance of practical, incremental adjustments in administrative settings.

Arguments:

1. Practicality and Adaptability: Incrementalism argues that in complex and uncertain environments, making small, practical adjustments allows for greater adaptability and responsiveness to changing circumstances.
2. Avoidance of Overcommitment: Incremental approaches suggest avoiding overcommitment to grand plans, as these plans may not account for the dynamic nature of real-world situations. Instead, they advocate for flexibility and the ability to modify strategies based on ongoing feedback and learning.
3. Political Feasibility: Incrementalism is often seen as politically feasible, as it accommodates diverse interests and avoids the resistance that can arise from radical or revolutionary changes. It aligns with the idea that small, gradual adjustments are more likely to gain acceptance and support.

Incrementalism: Key Characteristics

1. Gradual Revelation:In literature, incrementalism is reflected in narratives that gradually reveal key plot points or character details. For example, the mysterious and incremental unfolding of the character Jay Gatsby’s background in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” adds layers of complexity to the story.
2. Character Development Through Small Steps: Literary works often employ incrementalism in character development. In J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series, the protagonist Harry undergoes incremental growth and maturity with each installment, mirroring the gradual development of his character.
3. Building Suspense Through Incremental Plot Advancements: Many suspenseful novels utilize incrementalism by gradually advancing the plot, building tension through small, calculated revelations. Arthur Conan Doyle’s “Sherlock Holmes” stories often employ this technique, as each incremental clue leads to the ultimate resolution of the mystery.
4. Evolution of Themes Over Time: Incrementalism is evident in the evolution of themes across a series of books. J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, for instance, unfolds a complex world and overarching themes incrementally, allowing readers to delve deeper into the narrative’s richness with each installment.
5. Subtle Changes in Tone and Atmosphere: Literary works frequently employ incremental shifts in tone and atmosphere to evoke emotions and build ambiance. In Charlotte Brontë’s “Jane Eyre,” the gradual change in the narrative tone reflects the protagonist’s emotional and psychological journey.
6. Narrative Complexity Through Step-by-Step Unveiling: Postmodern literature often utilizes incrementalism to create narrative complexity. In Italo Calvino’s “If on a winter’s night a traveler,” the novel unfolds in a non-linear fashion, with each chapter incrementally revealing different layers of the overarching narrative.

These literary references illustrate how incrementalism is a versatile literary device employed to enhance storytelling, character development, and thematic exploration.

Incrementalism: Application in Critiques

1. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: Incrementalism in The Great Gatsby allows for the gradual revelation of Jay Gatsby’s background and motivations. This storytelling approach enhances the complexity of Gatsby’s character, providing readers with incremental insights into his enigmatic persona. However, some critics argue that this incremental unveiling may contribute to a sense of detachment, as the protagonist remains elusive until later stages of the narrative, potentially hindering immediate reader engagement.
2. Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling: The application of incrementalism in the Harry Potter series contributes to the gradual growth and maturity of the protagonist, Harry. While this approach allows for a nuanced exploration of his character, some critics contend that the incremental development might feel formulaic across the series, potentially limiting the unpredictability of Harry’s journey and emotional impact on readers.
3. Sherlock Holmes Stories by Arthur Conan Doyle: Incrementalism is evident in the Sherlock Holmes stories, where the detective’s deductive process unfolds gradually through the revelation of incremental clues. Critics may argue that this approach, while building suspense effectively, may also create a predictable pattern in the narrative structure, with readers anticipating the incremental unveiling of evidence and the eventual resolution in each case.
4. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë: In Jane Eyre, incrementalism is employed to depict the protagonist’s emotional and psychological journey. Critics may appreciate the subtlety with which Brontë introduces gradual changes in tone and atmosphere to reflect Jane’s evolving experiences. However, some may argue that the incremental nature of Jane’s character development might lead to a slower pacing in parts of the novel, potentially affecting the overall narrative flow.

These critiques highlight how the application of incrementalism in literary works can be both a strength and a potential source of criticism, depending on factors such as reader engagement, narrative predictability, and pacing.

Incrementalism: Similar Terms

Term	Brief Definition in Critiques
Gradualism	Emphasizes a slow, continuous progression.
Evolutionary Approach	Suggests a methodical and adaptive development.
Step-by-Step	Describes a process that unfolds in discrete stages.
Pragmatism	Highlights a practical, realistic, and feasible approach.
Iterative	Signifies a repetitive and incremental cycle.
Gradation	Refers to a gradual or systematic change in degree.
Incremental Change	Indicates small, measured adjustments over time.
Moderate Progression	Conveys a steady and restrained forward movement.
Slow Unfolding	Describes a narrative or development that reveals gradually.
Cumulative Growth	Implies an accumulation of small, incremental additions.

Incrementalism: Suggested Readings

1. Lindblom, Charles E. “The Science of Muddling Through.” Public Administration Review, vol. 19, no. 2, 1959, pp. 79-88.
2. Simon, Herbert A. Administrative Behavior: A Study of Decision-Making Processes in Administrative Organization. Free Press, 1947.
3. Sunstein, Cass R. Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness. Yale University Press, 2008.
4. Thaler, Richard H., and Cass R. Sunstein. Misbehaving: The Making of Behavioral Economics. W. W. Norton & Company, 2015.