CURRENT SOCIAL PROBLEMS ANALYSED BY CONTROL AND SYSTEMS THEORY: (Part B. Bureaucracy and Politics)

Abstract

A cybernetic model of the interaction between two systems deals in more detail with the concept of interdependence of the first paper. Applications of the model are then reviewed. Human “failings” such as jealousy, sycophancy, etc. can be seen as systemic or situational phenomena. The continuous drift of power towards the controlling elite in bureaucracies is seen to be coupled with the increasing dependence of those lower down on those above. Industrial and political strife appears to originate within this dependence gradient. Trade unions and left wing organisations can be seen therefore as systemic means to reduce the everwidening dependence gap between those lower in the social hierarchies and those in the controlling positions.

Citation

BRIX, V.H. (1982), "CURRENT SOCIAL PROBLEMS ANALYSED BY CONTROL AND SYSTEMS THEORY: (Part B. Bureaucracy and Politics)", Kybernetes, Vol. 11 No. 3, pp. 167-174. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb005617