Abstract
To be most useful, a theory should be constructed systematically and with logical consistency on a basis of simple terms and premises. I will therefore begin, in 1.1, by defining the concepts system and action in mathematical (that is, logical) terms.1 These initial definitions will enable us to gain a logical grasp of complex interactions within society (interactions between parts thereof or between a part and society as a whole), together with the dynamics and changes over time of these interactions. Although the concepts are highly abstract, their abstractness makes them broadly applicable and thus allows productive discussion. The significance of the mathematical conceptualization of a theory is discussed in detail in I-4.
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References
For a discussion of the approach which divides the actors into `Ego’ and `Alter,’ see Parsons and Shils (eds.), Toward a General Theory of Action,pp. 14–17, esp. p. 15.
This concept of a system was obtained by making the system concept proposed by Parsons and others more rigorous and conceptualizing it as an analytical concept. See Parsons and Shils (eds.), Toward a General Theory of Action,p. 5; Parsons, “An Approach to Psychological Theory in Terms of the Theory of Action,” p. 614; North et al., Content Analysis,p. 5.
In economics, there are two equilibrium conditions: (a) supply-demand equilibrium; (b) the maximum condition. This description can be applied to both. Although the concepts are different in nature, they have in common the fact that both are determinable relationships, that is, the number of unknowns is equal to the number of equations. See Hicks, Value and Capital,chaps. I and V.
This approach is modelled on the existence theorems in economics and in differential equations. Arrow and Debreu, “Existence of an Equilibrium for a Competitive Economy,” pp. 256–90; Debreu, Theory of Value,pp. 74–89, esp. pp. 83–88; Coddington and Levinson, Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations,pp. 1–7.
There are various definitions of the stability condition, but the one used here parallels Samuelson’s `perfect stability of the first kind.’ Samuelson, Foundations of Economic Analysis,p. 261.
The analytical significance of Giddens’ `duality of structuration’ lies in this relationship. See Giddens, The Constitution of Society pp. 25–28.
For a more complete discussion, see Hirose, K., Funso to ho (Conflicts and law), pp. 87–92; Merton, Social Theory and Social Structure pp. 45–46.
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© 2003 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
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Kawaguchi, K.H. (2003). The Basic Concepts of Systems Theory. In: A Social Theory of International Law. International Law in Japanese Perspective, vol 10. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-4978-7_2
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