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. According to Luhmann social systems are a set of communications related to each other.

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 (division of labour).

- Time complexity: development of clear cut procedures.

- Operative complexity: self-thematising (reflexion).

- Cognitive complexity: autopoiesis.

Complexity reduction of social systems focuses on social complexity.