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Social system
About: Social system is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 2974 publications have been published within this topic receiving 92395 citations.
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TL;DR: The main problem that systems theory tries to solve is the problem of complexity, which is very often correlated to variables such as entropy and energy, organization and disorganization and others that eventually converge to the common ground of comprehensibility or incomprehensibility as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The main problem that systems theory tries to solve is the problem of complexity. The notion of complexity is very often correlated to variables such as entropy and energy, organization and disorganization and others that eventually converge to the common ground of comprehensibility or incomprehensibility. In this paper, we try to shed light on the notions of entropy and energy as they should be conceived in the theoretical framework of social sciences. We analyse the different meanings of entropy, dealing with the social systems as if they were information management systems (following Niklas Luhmann), and we also present an initial approach, as to the meaning of energy for those systems, bringing Pierre Bourdieu's theory of symbolic capital into a Luhmannian context. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
28 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a more positive view of morality is proposed, which is related to the sustainability of social systems in their encompassing societal and natural environment, and is supported by the Luhmannian construct of the dilemma of structure and function.
Abstract: Niklas Luhmann held a skeptical view of the role of morality in the modern society. The present paper reassesses this skepticism in view of his early work showing the regime of functional differentiation to be supported by fundamental human rights. Building on this argument, the paper advocates a more positive view of morality which is shown to be related to the sustainability of social systems in their encompassing societal and natural environment. This view is warranted by the overarching Luhmannian theme of the precariousness of system–environment relations. If this view is accepted, Luhmann’s work on fundamental human rights can be read as an illustration of moral problems caused by the overexpansion tendencies of the political system. This argument is shown to connect up with the ideas of Buchanan and Rawls, as well as to fit in with the Luhmannian construct of the dilemma of structure and function.
28 citations
01 Jan 1998
TL;DR: The sociological literature on both poverty and social exclusion is large and varied, and the abundance of references means that providing a review is an arduous task as mentioned in this paper, and it becomes even more difficult when trying to compare different nations or cultures.
Abstract: The sociological literature on both poverty and social exclusion is large and varied, and the abundance of references means that providing a review is an arduous task. It becomes even more difficult when trying to compare different nations or cultures. Thus, there is no question of providing an exhaustive study of recent, past and ongoing research; however, it is more realistic to establish the complex linkage between this research, and social and political debate. The main problem for scholars in this field is constructing a research question which, whilst being distinct from contemporary ways of thinking which characterize the social debate (science must distance itself from the subject matter in order to build a conceptual framework) can also stimulate debate. Sociologists will favour studying what appears dysfunctional or anomalous in the social system at any given moment. They must, therefore, partially base their work in social debate. But the science which they aim to develop cannot simply be social criticism or, conversely, an ideological justification of existing norms.
28 citations
28 citations
01 Jan 2009
TL;DR: The authors examines the theory of cultural influence on the international practice of accounting and critiques the contemporary research methodologies used to test this. But their focus is on accounting as a social system.
Abstract: The issue of cultural influence in explaining behaviour in social systems has been recognised for some time, however, its impact on accounting as a social system is a more recent field of study. This paper examines the theory of cultural influence on the international practice of accounting and critiques the contemporary research methodologies used to test this
28 citations