On the Consept of “Social System”

Abstract

In the recent trends of sociology, especially in the U. S., the concept of “Social system” is becoming one of the key-concepts upon which some sociologists tend to build their sociological theories. Znaniecki, Parsons, and Sorokin also in a sense, actively going on these line. Although they likewise use the term “social system”, they do not necessarily give the same meaning to it. When we examine the concept “social system” in their respective sociological view-points, we find there widly different in their interpretation from one another. We can explain this point from two different aspects ; first, in the approach method as containd in the term “system”; second, the content of “social system” itself in relation to their sociological theories.
1) By “system”, Parsons emphasizes the notion of equilibrium, in line with Pareto, and thus presents a simultaneous dynamic analysis of interdependence of several variables, i. e., the structural-functional analysis, beyond causal-effect analysis. In some points Znaniecki accepts Parsons' idea, but he mainly aims at discovering the “principle of structural dependence” and “law of historical development” of system by the method of causal analysis. Excluding the notion of “multitude causation, ” Sorokin emphasizes the causation in terms of main cause and supplementary factors.
We have no need to understand the concept of system as Parsons does. Unlike Parsons, we think that causal analysis of factors in system is not only totaly different from the concept of system, but is even necessary for the study of the structural and historical analysis of the system itself.
2) Social system as propounded by Znaniecki is one of a special, factual unit system (a limited system) in cultural system, which is to be dealt with by sociology exclusively. He says that sociology as a special cultural science must study social system only, if it is to be a science. But in the case of Parsons, the social system includes much larger contents than that of Znaniecki's, and it is a much larger object than that of sociology itself. Then, the theory of social system as a branch of theory of action is larger than the sociological theory and basic for it. It must be studied in cooperation with economics and political theory. According to his point of view, institutions (institutionalized parts of social system) constitute the logical focus of sociology. Unlike from Znaniecki and Parsons, Sorokin uses the term “social system” in the same conotation as institution, or organized group or their complex. There are many socio-cultural systems in society indeed, he thinks, but society as a whole is not necessarily a system, but contains many congeries, He also insists that general sociology must, for the field of study, have total society including congeries, even if its main study is directed at socio-cultural systems.
As summarized above, the conception social system has different meanings according to the sociologist's outlook on sociology. The term of social system could be used effectively, but the present uses of the term is not sufficient. There remains some room to be much more closely examined. Rich sociological harvest will be reaped. when this term is examined in the light of Maciver's “functional system” and Sorokin's some ideas.