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AbstractThe process‐structure approach of Living Systems Theory (LST) provides a more robust explanation of life than did the earlier explanations based on the concept of sense‐response. Three aspects of LST, however, provide less robust explanations than those that generally characterize the theory. They are the concept of dispersed critical sub‐systems, the relative neglect of emergence and the neglect of the pervasive influence of conceptual systems on LST defined information systems. This paper suggests an entity‐systems approach that may strengthen those aspects of the theory of life systems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Demonstrates how the application of a world-systems perspective in anthropological research can offer sociologists new insights into non-Western & noncapitalist societies. Archaeologists have begun such work via redefinitions of (1) the nature of geographic differentiation within world systems & (2) the nature of economic interdependence among differentiated regions. Research in each of these areas is summarized. 42 References. K. Hyatt Stewart

An attempt is made to unite diverse principles of contemporary sociology by viewing social systems as adaptive systems whose members are also adaptive systems, the general class of systems that attempt to maximize internal values by modifying their behavior and/or structure. Large numbers of sociological and behavioral propositions were examined and those that met criteria of relevance, clarity, and empirical support were restated in a standardized format. A systems‐theoretical reductionist perspective was applied to these selected propositions with the aid of a theorem‐generating computer program developed as part of the research, in order to identify the subset that, as axioms, would most efficiently generate those remaining as theorems. The resulting axiomatic theory appears to satisfy the scientific criteria of generality and parsimony, as well as the additional design goals of ready comprehension and application, the latter tested in part by social‐system simulations. Among the nontrivial derivatives illustrated are principal propositions related to learning, values, economic models of decision making, social exchange, arms races, coalition formation, segregation, and cultural evolution.

AbstractAlthough Living Systems Theory (LST) has been widely recognized for its major contributions to scholarship in general and systems theory in particular, the full extent of its contribution has never been explicitly presented. The purpose of this paper is twofold: first to discuss LST, and then to relate it to Social Entropy Theory (SET). The paper first presents 20 major contributions of LST. This is not an exhaustive list, but is simply designed to present simultaneously the wide range of contributions made by Miller, some of which have not been sufficiently recognized nor appreciated. Miller's contributions focused upon the actions of concrete components in fulfilling the critical subsystems processes required by systems at each level. He placed less emphasis on the key systems variables such as population and technology. Fortunately, Social Entropy Theory has explicated a set of key variables. The second part of the paper discusses Social Entropy Theory, and shows how it complements and extends LST. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

AbstractThis paper provides the first detailed discussion of a set of principles developed when two epistemologies (Critical Systems Thinking and Cultural Ecofeminism) where systematically compared. There are five principles themed around gender sensitivity; valuing voices from the margins; no longer regarding the environment as 'outside' the realm of theoretical research; selecting appropriate methodologies; and promoting the achievement of plurally desirable and sustainable social changes. The analysis subjects the principles to scrutiny from broader literature on direct and indirectly related concepts. The analysis also provides sets of theoretical recommendations for practitioners to embed single or multiple principles in their own repertoires of practice. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This article contains an exploration of a number of the many interpretations of its title Liberating Systems Theory. It is in fact a point of reflection on the way to realizing Critical Systems Thinking. Particular points of focus are critical theory integrated to practice in systems "problem solving," and the history and progress of systems thinking, considering critically the relationship of the past with progressively emerging future ends, i.e., emerging Critical Systems Thinking.

Systems theory is product of the efforts of many researchers to create an intermediate field of coexistence of all sciences. If not for anything else, because of the magnitude that the use of systemic thinking and systemic approach has taken, it has become undisputed among the theories. Systems theory not only provides a glossary of terms with which researchers from different fields can be understood, but provides a framework for the presentation and interpretation of phenomena and realities. This paper addresses a systematic approach to leadership, as an attempt to dredge leadership and systems theory literature to find the meeting point. Systems approach is not an approach to leadership in terms of a manner of leader's work, but it's the leader's determination to factorize in his leadership the external environment and relationships with and among elements. Leader without followers is unable to exercise his leadership and to ensure their conviction he should provide a system, a structure, a purpose, despite the alternative chaos. Systems approach clarifies the thought on the complexity and dynamism of the environment and provides a framework for building ideas. If the general system theory is the skeleton of science (Boulding: 1956), this article aims to replenish it with leadership muscles by prominent authors who have written on systems theory and leadership, as well as through original ideas.In this work analytical methods were used (by analyzing approaches individually) as well as synthetic methods (by assaying individual approaches in context of entirety). The work is a critical review of literature as well as a deductive analysis mingled with models proposed by authors through inductive analysis. Meta-analysis has been used to dissect the interaction and interdependence between leadership approaches.

One: Background -- 1: The Historical Context -- 2: Physical and Life Evolution -- 3: Social and Cognitive Evolution -- 4: The Habermas/Luhmann Debate -- 5: Habermas Since the Debate -- Two: Incorporating Human Participation into Systems Theory and Design -- 6: Differentiation Theory -- 7: Soft Systems Theory -- 8: Critical Systems Theory -- 9: Banathy -- 10: Warfield -- Three: Advances in the Areas of Social, Cognitive, and Evolutionary Theory -- 11: Luhmann (1) Meaning, Subject, and Communication -- 12: Luhmann (2) Systems and Environments -- 13: Luhmann (3) Structure and Time -- 14: Luhmann (4) Contradiction and Self-Reference -- 15: Kampis -- 16: Goertzel -- 17: Metaphors and Maps -- Four: Five Emerging Syntheses -- 18: The Practice and Ethics of Design -- 19: The Structure of the Social World -- 20: Communication -- 21: Cognition -- 22: Epistemology -- 23: Conclusion -- References.

"Geographic Perspectives on World-Systems Theory" published on by Oxford University Press.