Subsystem
From Geography
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| - | The subsystems are a part of Niklas Luhmann's theory of society. | + | ===Defintion=== |
| - | + | The subsystems are a part of Niklas [[Luhmann's theory of society]]. Subsystems are the individual components of which a larger system consists. The merging of these components into one overarching system is called [[system integration]]. By definition, subsystems can not "step in for, replace or even simply relieve one another" (Luhmann, 1989 in Gren & Zierhofer, 2003). The point about subsystems is that their co-existence makes the bigger picture possible. Each subsystem is a system ''an sich'', but the interaction between two or more of them, makes the systems into a subsystem, a gear wheel in a larger machine. | |
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| - | Each of them | + | |
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| + | Subsystems operates on an internal code which is often based on binary distinction. With the binary code it is possible to see the main distinction on which a subssytem works on. Furthermore, a subssystem consists of a program, operation and medium. Programs set the context of the application of the code. | ||
| + | Programs open the system to the world and they establish links between the various specialised subsystems. However, programs can change over the time, while codes are quite stable. Both programs and codes sets the possibility of observation of a system. | ||
| - | + | Operation is the communication process within the sub system. This is the autopoietic process, the ulitmate communication which sets the system. | |
| + | With medium it is meant the way of communication used in an operation within a subssytem. For example in the subssystem Economy, money is the medium of communication within the operation Payment. | ||
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| + | ===Examples=== | ||
| + | List of more examples of subsystems are: | ||
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| + | *''Economy'' | ||
code: Having money / not having money | code: Having money / not having money | ||
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medium: money, securities | medium: money, securities | ||
| - | + | *''Law'' | |
| - | + | ||
code: right/wrong | code: right/wrong | ||
| - | program: laws, decrees, practice of | + | program: laws, decrees, practice of verdicts, contracts |
operation: sentence, related to cases | operation: sentence, related to cases | ||
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medium: text of law and contracts, interpretations | medium: text of law and contracts, interpretations | ||
| - | + | *''Politics'' | |
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code: governement/ oppositions majority/minority | code: governement/ oppositions majority/minority | ||
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medium: authority, legitimation, generalised approval, trust, forms of power | medium: authority, legitimation, generalised approval, trust, forms of power | ||
| - | + | *''Religion'' | |
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code: immanence/ transcendence | code: immanence/ transcendence | ||
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operations: creed, confession | operations: creed, confession | ||
| - | medium: rites, prayers, oral traditions, sacred texts | + | medium: rites, prayers, oral traditions, sacred texts |
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- ''Science'' | - ''Science'' | ||
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medium: publications, presentations | medium: publications, presentations | ||
| - | + | * ''Education'' | |
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code: satisfactory/ unsatisfactory | code: satisfactory/ unsatisfactory | ||
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medium: qualifications, marks, diplomas, degrees, titles | medium: qualifications, marks, diplomas, degrees, titles | ||
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| + | ===References=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Gren, M. & Zierhofer, W. (2003). The unity of difference: a critical appraisal of Niklas Luhmann's theory of social system in the context of corperaity and spatiality. In: Environment & Planning A. Vol. 35. pp. 615-630. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Contributions=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Page created by Meryl Burger | ||
| + | * Page improved by [[User:BoudewijnIdema]], 17 October 2011, 20:37 (UTC) | ||
| + | * Page edited by Frank Simons | ||
| + | * Page enhanced by --[[User:HennyLi|HennyLi]] 18:01, 21 October 2012 (CEST) | ||
| + | * Page edited by [[User:TeunVanDeVen|TeunVanDeVen]] 14:28, 24 October 2012 (CEST) | ||
| + | * Page edited by--[[User:HennyLi|HennyLi]] 15:15, 24 October 2012 (CEST) | ||
| + | [[Category: Social System Theory]] | ||
Latest revision as of 13:15, 24 October 2012
Contents |
Defintion
The subsystems are a part of Niklas Luhmann's theory of society. Subsystems are the individual components of which a larger system consists. The merging of these components into one overarching system is called system integration. By definition, subsystems can not "step in for, replace or even simply relieve one another" (Luhmann, 1989 in Gren & Zierhofer, 2003). The point about subsystems is that their co-existence makes the bigger picture possible. Each subsystem is a system an sich, but the interaction between two or more of them, makes the systems into a subsystem, a gear wheel in a larger machine.
Subsystems operates on an internal code which is often based on binary distinction. With the binary code it is possible to see the main distinction on which a subssytem works on. Furthermore, a subssystem consists of a program, operation and medium. Programs set the context of the application of the code. Programs open the system to the world and they establish links between the various specialised subsystems. However, programs can change over the time, while codes are quite stable. Both programs and codes sets the possibility of observation of a system.
Operation is the communication process within the sub system. This is the autopoietic process, the ulitmate communication which sets the system. With medium it is meant the way of communication used in an operation within a subssytem. For example in the subssystem Economy, money is the medium of communication within the operation Payment.
Examples
List of more examples of subsystems are:
- Economy
code: Having money / not having money
program: supply and demand
operation: payment
medium: money, securities
- Law
code: right/wrong
program: laws, decrees, practice of verdicts, contracts
operation: sentence, related to cases
medium: text of law and contracts, interpretations
- Politics
code: governement/ oppositions majority/minority
program: program for legislation party program
operations: decisions, votes, declarations
medium: authority, legitimation, generalised approval, trust, forms of power
- Religion
code: immanence/ transcendence
program: myths, commandments
operations: creed, confession
medium: rites, prayers, oral traditions, sacred texts
- Science
code: true/false
program: notions, theories, methodologies
operations: proof or falsification of statements
medium: publications, presentations
- Education
code: satisfactory/ unsatisfactory
program: training, professions, curriculum
operations: assessment, exam
medium: qualifications, marks, diplomas, degrees, titles
References
- Gren, M. & Zierhofer, W. (2003). The unity of difference: a critical appraisal of Niklas Luhmann's theory of social system in the context of corperaity and spatiality. In: Environment & Planning A. Vol. 35. pp. 615-630.
Contributions
- Page created by Meryl Burger
- Page improved by User:BoudewijnIdema, 17 October 2011, 20:37 (UTC)
- Page edited by Frank Simons
- Page enhanced by --HennyLi 18:01, 21 October 2012 (CEST)
- Page edited by TeunVanDeVen 14:28, 24 October 2012 (CEST)
- Page edited by--HennyLi 15:15, 24 October 2012 (CEST)
