The Present Situation of Social Systems Theory(<Special Issue>Rethinking Systems Theory)

Abstract

In this paper I examine the historical development and present situation of social systems theory in the discipline of sociology. Social systems theory, especially that of Parsons and Luhmann, has been developed with the balance of self-referential disciplinary closure and interdisciplinary openness, and oriented to general theory rather than specific model-building or middle-range theory. It deconstructs the traditional problem of the relation of individual and society, and explains the emergent properties of social system on its own level rather than grounding them on the properties of individual agent as system component on the assumption of system hierarchy. It also de-subjectifies the concept of meaning, and defines it as the difference of actualized possibility and potential possibilities of system component. In this way social systems theory can provide various insights into the modern society.