Complexity reduction of social systems

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Revision as of 16:27, 17 December 2010

According to Luhmann communication is a chain of selections. This is because every message is made through a selective decission by the sender. The message is also selective in its form and the receiver has a selective interpretation of the message. Luhmann takes communication in general, for example all verbal media, but also conflictual communication.

Because communication is everywhere, people must make an selection of what they want to hear. Otherwise it gets to complex. By making selections this complexity is being reduced. This complexity reduction through selection is called system formation. There are different forms of complexity and also different forms of complexity reduction:

- Substantial complexity: a mechanism for managing competition for resources.

- Social complexity: functional differentiation of subsystems.

- Time complexity: development of clear cut procedures.

- Operative complexity: self-thematising (reflexion).

- Cognitive complexity: autopoiesis.

Complexity reduction of social systems refers to social complexity. According to Luhmann social systems are a set of communications related to each other. These social systems are based on structures where many people interact. Within these structures people referring to each other; they take each others’ actions into account. It can become very complex when every-one has to deal with everything and with every other-one. Through functional differentation different roles and a division of labour will ermerge. In this way not everything is relevant for everyone anymore. Problems are dealt with by functionally specialised sub-systems (e.g. economy, law, religion) in a selective way and so total complexity is reduced.

Reference

- Gren, M. & Zierhofer, W. (2002). The unity of difference: a critical appraisal of Niklas Luhmann's theory of social systems in the context of corporeality and spatiality. On: http://blackboard.ru.nl/bbcswebdav/courses/ABBW-BCU255A-01-2010/Gren%26Zierhofer%282003%29.pdf

Inge Schoenmakers & Lotte Brouwer