Complexity reduction of social systems

From Geography

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.