SUBSYSTEM COMPETITION IN COMPLEX SOCIETIES:BUREAUCRATIC GOAL DISPLACEMENT AND SECONDARY ENTROPY

摘要

There is a latent assumption in much social-systems theory that internal subsystems allrnfunction for the good of the whole society. Thus, in living systems theory, the twentyrnsubsystems have separate but complementary functions. There has been less attention tornthe fact that in complex societies, subsystems may not always function smoothlyrntogether, but in fact one or more subsystems may compete with others, and further, mayrnsubvert the functions they are supposed to serve for the larger system in favor ofrnfurthering their own internal autopoiesis. Further, the development of one componentrnsubsystem within a large society, while representing a decrease in entropy for thatrnsubsystem, sometimes results in an increase in entropy for neighboring subsystems. Thernfirst phenomenon, where a subsystem diverts resources from its original goal of holisticrnsystem service to the service of its own needs, I will term goal displacement. The secondrnphenomenon, where entropy decrease in one subsystem results in entropy increase in arnsecond, I will term secondary entropy. The purpose of this paper is to present and discussrnthese new concepts. I will also provide examples of each from contemporary complexrnsocieties.