Editing Complex adaptive system (section)

=== General properties ===
What distinguishes a complex adaptive system (CAS) from a pure [[multi-agent system]] (MAS) is the focus on top-level properties and features like [[self-similarity]], [[complexity]], [[emergence]] and [[self-organization]]. Theorists define an MAS as a system composed of multiple interacting agents; whereas in CAS, the agents as well as the system are adaptive and the system is [[self-similar]]. A CAS is a complex, self-similar [[collectivity (disambiguation) | collectivity]] of interacting, adaptive agents.  Complex adaptive systems feature a high degree of [[adaptive capacity]], giving them resilience in the face of [[wikt:perturbation|perturbation]].

Other important properties include adaptation (or [[homeostasis]]), communication, cooperation, specialization, spatial and temporal organization, and reproduction. Such properties can manifest themselves on all levels: cells specialize, adapt and reproduce themselves just like larger organisms do. Communication and cooperation take place on all levels, from the agent- to the system-level. In some cases the forces driving [[co-operation]] between agents in such a system can be analyzed using [[game theory]].