Luhmann, Niklas (1927–98)

Abstract

Niklas Luhmann (1927–98) was professor of sociology at the University of Bielefeld from 1968 to 1993. He was the most significant exponent of sociological systems theory after Talcott Parsons. In taking up many building stones from Parsons and in importing numerous other interdisciplinary ideas he succeeded finally in constructing a very original theoretical synthesis which is documented in more than 50 books and hundreds of papers. There are five main elements in Luhmann's theory building and empirical research: (a) Luhmann developed a general theory of social systems which he conceived as communication systems which are autopoietic systems, being operationally closed towards one another. Meaning, function, time, structure, conflict and other core concepts are then incorporated into this theory of social systems. Among all social systems Luhmann was interested especially in society as the system integrating all other social systems towards the unity of one global system called world society. The theory of society consists from the other four core elements of Luhmann's theory, which are: (b) Differentiation theory which theorizes different forms of system building, such as the building of segmentary social systems based on kinship, stratified social systems based on strata, castes or classes, and finally functionally differentiated society which consists from macrosystems specialized on functions such as science, law, economy, politics, etc. (c) The theory of communication media which theorizes influence processes based on media such as money, power, love, and truth which are conceived to operate somehow analogous to language as a medium of communication. (d) The theory of sociocultural evolution which in Luhmann's case is a neo-Darwinist theory of structure formation arising from accidental innovations which are built into society or eliminated from society by selection mechanisms germane to society. (e) The history and theory of the semantics of societies which Luhmann explored in numerous case studies especially on the European tradition of semantics and in which he tried to demonstrate the interrelations of semantic developments and social structural changes.