Social system

A social system is the patterned series of interrelationships existing between individuals, groups, and institutions and forming a whole.^[1]

Parsons

Talcott Parsons was the first to formulate a systematic theory of social systems, which he did as a part of his AGIL paradigm. He defined a social system as only a segment (or a "subsystem") of what he called action theory.^[2]

Forrester

Jay Wright Forrester described three counter-intuitive behaviours as important: causes from symptoms are often far removed in time and space, identifying leverage points and conflicting short and long-term consequences.^[3]

Luhmann

Niklas Luhmann believes in the significance of communicative processes...

See also

• Economic system
• Open and closed systems (social science)
• Political system
• Social network
• Social web
• Systems psychology
• Systems theory in anthropology

Sources

• Parsons, Talcott. (1970). The System of Modern Societies, New York
• Parsons, Talcott. (1977). Social Systems and the Evolution of Action Theory, New York
• Parsons, Talcott. (1978). Action Theory and the Human Condition, New York

References

1. "Definition". Merriam Webster. November 2014. Retrieved November 2014.
2. Parsons, Talcott. (1951). The Social System. New York: Free Press.
3. Forrester, Jay. 1971. Counterintuitive behavior of social systems. Chapter VI. Technology Review 73(3): 52–68