Toward a formal theory of socioculture

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to initiate a new, formal theory of sociocultural physics.Design/methodology/approachIts intended scope is limited to predicting either long‐term, large‐scale or short‐term, small‐scale sociocultural events. The theory that the authors develop, called sociohistory, links three independent but relatable approaches: part of Sorokin's epistemological theory of sociocultural dynamics, Frieden's epistemological theory of extreme physical information (EPI), and Yolles's social viable systems (SVS) theory.FindingsAlthough not all of Sorokin's ideas are universally accepted, a subset of them is found to be extremely useful for describing the conceptual context of complex systems. This includes how sociocultural processes link closely into political processes.Research limitations/implicationsThe theory that develops helps explain how opposing, cultural enantiomers oryin‐yangforces (represented, for instance, by the polar mindsets represented in Islamic fundamentalism and global enterprise) can result in violent conflict, or in either viable or non‐viable social communities. The informationsIandJof EPI theory are regarded, respectively, as sensate and ideational enantiomers.Originality/valueWhile the resulting sociocultural physics is in its infancy, an illustrative application to the developmental dynamics of post‐colonial Iran demonstrates its potential utility.