Subsystem
From Geography
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This theory holds that the society is divided by functionally specialised subsystems. | 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. | 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, programs, the way of operating and the medium which are used in the subsystem. | + | 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 metaposotion. 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. |
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| - | + | List of more examples of subsystems are: | |
- ''Economy'' | - ''Economy'' | ||
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Improved by [[User:BoudewijnIdema]], 17 October 2011, 20:37 (UTC) | Improved by [[User:BoudewijnIdema]], 17 October 2011, 20:37 (UTC) | ||
[[Category: Social System Theory]] | [[Category: Social System Theory]] | ||
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| + | Edited by Frank Simons | ||
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 metaposotion. 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
