SOCIAL SYSTEMS PARADIGM
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(2) |
| ID | ◀ 3086 ▶ |
| Object type | Human sciences |
K.C. BAUSCH describes a social systems paradigm which, in his opinion, emerges from convergent agreement among systemic thinkers (1998, p. 11)
He writes: “This paradigm unites insights about dissipation and autopoiesis :
- “1. Social realities are dissipative structures
a. they are totally temporized
b. they are ongoing patterns that are maintened by their manner of continual reproduction
c. in far-from-equilibrium conditions, these realities are open to bifurcations
d. in far-from-equilibrium conditions, small influences can generate profound evolutionary effects .
e. an optimal strategy to create profound change is to concentrate energy at likely bifurcation points
2. Social structures are autopoietic
f. as ongoing patterns of meaning that are constantly being reproducedSocial systems structure their reality on the basis of expectations in order to cope with the complexities of their existence
g. the formula for sustainable and creative existence is to multiply contradictory expectations and to hold them as alternatives for futures uncertainties “(Ibid)
As observed by Bausch, these characteristics are closely related to technology, whatever the level attained by less or more evolved social systems.
See also
Autopoiesis, Emergy, Entropy (Social), Santiago theory, Systems (Co-operative)