In practopoietic systems there is no direct downward causation from higher levels of organization on the lower levels of organization. This causation is exerted indirectly, through environment: That is, the mechanisms at the highest level of organization act on the environment, and depending on the efficiency of those actions to satisfy the needs of the system, lower levels experience more or less need for acting. Consequently, given the inputs from the environment lower levels will make more or less changes on the higher levels.
When there is a clear need for activating lower levels of organization to make changes on higher levels, we refer to it as a downward pressure for adjustment.
Downward pressure for adjustment is exerted through eco-feedback, which may or may not rely on trickle-down information.
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