Release | Toward a theory of multifunctional liberalism: Systems-theoretical reflections on the nature of statehood

Abstract: As neoliberalism is sinking into disrepute, states are responding to current crises by inroads on basic rights. This constellation adds urgency to the timeworn subject of statehood and its relationship to law and liberty. The paper addresses this subject by enhancing the neoliberal concept of an encased economy with James Coleman’s concept of law as […]

CFP | Luhmann Conference 2023 | Environments. Observed with social systems theory

Call for papers to the Luhmann Conference 2023 on “Environments. Observed with social systems theory” Venue: Inter-University Centre (IUC), Dubrovnik, Croatia Address: Don Frana Bulicá 4, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia Dates: 12-15 September 2023 Pre-conference dinner: 11 September 2023 Theme Commonly associated with nature or ecology, the concept of environment is foundational to social systems theory. A “system is the […]

Release | Health beyond medicine. A planetary theory extension

Abstract: In Niklas Luhmann’s vision of the modern functionally differentiated society, health presents one of the essential function systems, along with politics, law, economy, or science. While he devoted much effort to elaborating the theoretical foundations of the latter function systems, his work on the health system was relatively sparse. This research gap has been […]

Lexikonbeitrag | Funktionssystem

Roth S. (in press) Funktionssystem. In: Wirth J. and Kleve H. (Hrsg.) Lexikon des systemischen Arbeitens. Heidelberg: Carl Auer Verlag. Leseprobe: engl. function system oder functional system, franz. système fonctionnel m. → Funktionssysteme sind soziale → Systeme, die sich selbst erhalten und ausdifferenzieren (→ Autopoiesis), indem sie die Anschlussfähigkeit von → Kommunikation in einem bestimmten Erfolgsmedium […]

Membership | Executive Committee of the Inter-University Center Dubrovnik

I have the honour to inform you that I have been appointed to the Executive Committee of the Inter-University Center Dubrovnik, Croatia. Throughout its 50 years of existence, the IUC has been particularly well-known as one of the prime venues worldwide for encounters between academics from both sides of the iron curtain. Embedded in a particularly […]

Release | Digital transformation of management and organization theories

Roth S. (2022), Digital transformation of management and organization theories. A research programme, Systems Research and Behavioral Science, early view, DOI: 10.1002/SRES.2882 [SSCI 1.750, Scopus, CABS**]. Abstract: This article draws on the groundwork by George Spencer Brown and Niklas Luhmann to outline a general framework for the digital transformation of management and organization theory. It […]

Release | Special Issue | Moral communication. Observed with social systems theory

Special Issue 51(5) of Kybernetes: Moral communication. Observed with social systems theory Guest Editors: Steffen Roth, Klaus Brønd Laursen, Gorm Harste The majority of articles published in this special issue have first been presented at the eponymous Luhmann Conference 2020. See here for the Call for Papers to the Luhmann Conference 2022 on Scientific communication […]

Weihnachtskommentar | Die Solidarität der Ungeimpften

Die Solidarität der Ungeimpften Ein weihnachtlicher Kommentar von Steffen Roth und Heiko Kleve Ein kürzlich in der WELT veröffentlichter Beitrag von Tim Röhn räumt mit dem Mythos der Pandemie der Ungeimpften auf und zeigt, dass dieser Mythos nur zustande kommen konnte, weil all jene Corona-Infizierten, deren Impfstatus nicht erfasst wurde, automatisch der Gruppe der Ungeimpften […]

Interview | „Eine Impfpflicht ist nach derzeitigem wissenschaftlichen Kenntnisstand rechtlich und ethisch nicht begründbar“

Wissenschaftler, darunter auch Mediziner, lehnen eine allgemeine Impflicht gegen Covid-19 ab. Florian Rötzer im Interview mit Univ.-Prof. Dr. Dr. Steffen Roth, einem der Mitunterzeichner. Wissenschaftler haben vor kurzem eine Stellungnahme zur Impfpflicht veröffentlicht. „Nach derzeitigem wissenschaftlichen Kenntnisstand“ sei eine allgemeine Impfpflicht, so die Stellungnahme, „rechtlich und ethisch nicht begründbar“. Die Impfung sei nicht alternativlos. Hauptargument ist: „Für […]