Subsystem

From Geography

Revision as of 09:16, 16 October 2012

The subsystems are a part of Niklas Luhmann's theory of society. This theory holds that the society is divided by functionally specialised subsystems. These subsystems cannot be replaced by the other subsystems and they exist seperated from each other. Each of them have their own properties. They are caracterised by codes which are usually based on binary distinctions, programs, the way of operating and the medium which are used in the subsystem. A consequense within modern societies is that there is no metaposition. A metaposition would give somebody the opportunity to observe a whole society or speak for a whole society. However the functional differentiation results in subsystems in society operating on the basis of a specific code. For example, science uses the code of true or false. Apart from science, no other system uses the code of true or false.

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., The unity of difference: a critical appraisal of Niklas Luhmann's theory of social systems in the context of corporeality and spatiality, (University of Basel, 2002)

Published by Meryl Burger s0801704

Improved by User:BoudewijnIdema, 17 October 2011, 20:37 (UTC)

Edited by Frank Simons