We introduce the Universal Structural Balance Invariant (USBI), a high-level geometric framework for analyzing stability and fragility in complex adaptive systems. USBI models system dynamics as motion over an underlying structural manifold shaped by competing forces of coherence and decoherence. At its core, the framework posits the existence of a coordinate-free invariant that constrains system evolution across domains, while allowing for domain-specific observable representations. Rather than proposing a new predictive model, this work advances a unifying perspective intended to complement existing approaches in dynamical systems, control theory, and information geometry. Preliminary empirical indications suggest that tracking changes in structural configuration may provide early warning of regime shifts. This paper establishes the conceptual foundations and identifies falsifiable claims for interdisciplinary validation.
Bradford White (Wed,) studied this question.