The challenge principle: introduction to the social analysis of synoptics: method, theory and case studies - synoptics part I

Abstract

'Synoptics' - the synoptic social analysis is a theory and a method to diagnose social systems and social processes aiming to obtain perspectives for 'therapeutic' social action, for instance and especially with respect to processes of 'conflict work'. Synoptics believes in the (forgotten) unity of all social sciences, and draws on the experience of many of them, especially psychology (depth-psychology/psycho-analysis), comparative politics, group research, sociology and ethology. The theoretical model of synoptics provides for a 'vertical and a horizontal dimension' of analysis. Both can be examined empirically, using various qualitative and quantitative instruments. In the so-called vertical dimension, synoptics provides a model with ten levels of social systems, distinguished with respect to increasing complexity (these level are: the individual, the dyad, the small group, the large group, the mass-formation, the organisation, the functional compound-system, the territorial compound-system, the sovereign-social-system, the ecumenical system (i.e., today: the global social system). In the so-called horizontal dimension, synoptics provides a model for the description and analysis of the dynamics/processes of social.