Systems theory

Systems theory or systems science is the interdisciplinary study of systems, with the goal of discovering patterns and elucidating principles that can be discerned from and applied to systems at every level of nesting and in every field of research. General system theory is about broadly applicable concepts and principles, as opposed to concepts and principles applicable to one domain of knowledge. It is related to systems engineering. Some see it as a specialism of systems thinking; others see systems thinking as the specialism of system theory focused on social systems.

Most generally, a system may be defined as a bounded set of interrelated or interacting elements. This definition accommodates both passive structures (e.g. a necklace, or the Dewey Decimal System). However, most system theorists focus on activity systems in which structures/components interact in behaviours/processes. And many focus on social activity systems in particular.

An early focus of system theory was on homeostatic or self-regulating systems that maintain themselves in a consistent or viable state through feedback. There are designed homeostatic systems and natural ones such as the physiological systems of our body, the climate, and some ecosystems. It is said they appear also in human learning processes (from the individual on to international organizations like the UN).

The term "general system theory" originates from Bertalanffy's general system theory (GST). His ideas were picked by others including Kenneth E. Boulding, William Ross Ashby and Anatol Rapoport working in mathematics, psychology, biology, game theory and social network analysis.

Sociological systems thinking started earlier, in the 19th century. In: Bertrand Badie et al. (eds.), International Encyclopedia of Political Science. Sage New York, Stichweh states: "... Since its beginnings the social sciences were an important part of the establishment of systems theory... the two most influential suggestions were the comprehensive sociological versions of systems theory which were proposed by Talcott Parsons since the 1950s and by Niklas Luhmann since the 1970s." References include Parsons' action theory and Luhmann's social systems theory.

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