Toward a formal theory of socioculture: A yin‐yang information‐based theory of social change

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to initiate a new, formal theory of sociocultural physics.

Design/methodology/approach

Its 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.

Findings

Although 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/implications

The theory that develops helps explain how opposing, cultural enantiomers or yin‐yang forces (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 informations I and J of EPI theory are regarded, respectively, as sensate and ideational enantiomers.

Originality/value

While the resulting sociocultural physics is in its infancy, an illustrative application to the developmental dynamics of post‐colonial Iran demonstrates its potential utility.

Citation

Yolles, M., Frieden, B.R. and Kemp, G. (2008), "Toward a formal theory of socioculture: A yin‐yang information‐based theory of social change", Kybernetes, Vol. 37 No. 7, pp. 850-909. https://doi.org/10.1108/03684920810884333