On the End of the Conceptual Conflict in the Early Theory of Social Systems: P.A. Sorokin, T. Parsons, and L. von Wiese

The dispute over the construction of a social system theory, which took place in Harvard between P.A. Sorokin (1889–1968) and T. Parsons (1902–1979), is still drawing the attention of historians and theorists of sociology. Both scientists were greatly respected by the scientific community of those times, both had their unique vision on creating a social theory and, of course, each of them claimed priority in the development of their respective system-sociological theory. According to P.A. Sorokin, who in 1951 was promoting his work “Similarities and Dissimilarities Between Two Sociological Systems” among colleagues from his department and beyond it, T. Parsons’ essays on the topic of social system theory are suspiciously similar to P.A. Sorokin’s lectures and essays — an opinion which in turn was refuted by Parsons. In response to Sorokin’s claims, T. Parsons claimed that his theoretical concept had been influenced more by other authors than by P.A. Sorokin. He also pointed to the process of convergence in system theory and highlighted plenty of other differences between their system theories. All researchers noticed the severity of this conflict, but when we look to the circumstances of the end of this conceptual debate, we find that it is not entirely clear whether it was even resolved, and more importantly — how the conflict actually ended. Analysis of this historical case conducted through the lens of Luhmann’s communicative theory helps get a clearer understanding of the problem. It allows for separating the conceptual implications of the dispute from its other aspects – personal, career, psychological, institutional aspects — which ultimately allowed looking into the conceptual essence of the conflict. The use of new and previously little-known German archival documents, copies of sociologists’ personal letters, journal reviews on sociological theory, journal publications about the conflict allowed to establish the importance of the role played by respected German sociologist L. von Wiese (1876–1969), a personal friend of P.A. Sorokin and an expert in theoretical sociology, in deescalating the conflict and ending the dispute in 1952.

Forms of subjectification: Rights and freedom as neoliberal politics in healthcare system. The Italian law on Living Will

Health represents a context where it is possible to observe the relationship between individuals and society, namely which spaces of autonomy are left for the individuals and which social forces are exercised on them. If Critical Theory points out the mechanisms of a neoliberal matrix that makes individuals “subjugate subjects”, Social System Theory allows to investigate how they are “included” in various spheres of society. Integrating these theories, we investigate mechanisms of subjectification on health. Moreover, through the analysis of the recent Italian law on advance directives and living will, we question if the claims of self-determination expressed by individuals could represent a form of “resistance” against neoliberal policies. Through a theoretical reflection and an analysis of the background and the juridical consequences of the law n. 219/2017, we conclude that the individual autonomy could be exercised together with responsibility towards others, balancing individual needs and claims with social solidarity. La salud representa un contexto en el cual se puede observar la relación entre los individuos y la sociedad. Si la Teoría Crítica apunta a los mecanismos de una matriz neoliberal que convierte a los individuos en “sujetos subyugados”, la Teoría de Sistemas Sociales permite investigar cómo éstos son “incluidos” en diversas esferas de la sociedad. Al integrar esas teorías, investigamos los mecanismos de subjetivización en el área de la salud. Además, a través del análisis de una ley italiana reciente, nos preguntamos si las proclamas de autodeterminación expresadas por los individuos podrían representar una forma de “resistencia” contra las políticas neoliberales. A través de la reflexión teórica y el análisis del contexto y de las consecuencias jurídicas de la Ley 219/2017, concluimos que la autonomía personal se podría ejercitar junto con la responsabilidad hacia el prójimo, equilibrando las necesidades y las reivindicaciones personales con la solidaridad social.

Migration and Employment Policy and Their Impact on Social Integration: Evidence From Nigeria

Scholars have long sought answers for the socio-economic and political discomfort of immigrants. Migrants became underclass and exploited in their new environment. In a field survey conducted in Ondo State, Nigeria, the study examined the ontological submissions about immigrants’ plight for employment and the host community’s potentials at tapping high skills available among the migrants. The study anchored on Talcott Parson’s AGIL- Social System Theory of societal survival, most especially its functional prerequisites, notably adaptation, goal, integration and pattern maintenance. The overall finding emerging from the study is that social integration links positively to migrants’ acquired work ethics, acceptance into formal workforce, and socio-communal interactions. Consequently, standardised integration of skilled-migrants into workforce shaped cordial relationship and lasting peace between migrants and the host community.

ADAPTASI SOSIAL MAHASISWA ASING DI INSTITUT KH. ABDUL CHALIM PACET MOJOKERTO

The era of globalization brings the consequences of increasing the intensity of social interaction of the world community. One of them can be seen from the increase in foreign students who are studying in Indonesia. This research is about the social adaptation of foreign students at Institut KH. Abdul Chalim Mojokerto. The purpose of this research is to know how the social adaptation strategy of foreign students at Institut KH Abdul Chalim Mojokerto. This research was conducted on foreign students at Institut K.H Abdul Chalim Mojokerto. This study uses qualitative methods, ie research that relies on data from what is seen in the field or natural settings. The theory used is the social system theory of Talcott Parsons. Data collection is done by direct observation and in-depth interview. Validity of data is done by using triangulation. The results of this study indicate that foreign students have the motivation to continue their education in Indonesia. In this case, foreign students have motivation that can be categorized into two, namely the structural motivation and cultural motivation. Structural motivation, among others, is the political system and state ideology that does not support the development of Islamic culture. Cultural motivation, among others, is to learn, develop and preserve Islamic culture in their home country. Foreign students consider Indonesia as a tolerant country of difference supported by political ideology in view of religious diversity. It supports the community to develop and practice beliefs without fear of being subordinated by the community environment. Nevertheless, foreign students have difficulties in adapting to education in Indonesia, in this case, is divided into two namely the constraints of Malay and Non-Malay students. The existence of obstacles that make foreign students have a strategy in facing the existing constraints both socially and non-socially.

Studies on the Legal Translation from the Perspective of Legal Pluralism

Legal pluralism has made certain theoretical development in the field of law, which has certain enlightenment on the concept and opinion of legal norms, legal system or order to the intercultural communication of legal culture. In addition to linguistics and translation field, the study of legal English should also make use of relevant legal theories to achieve beneficial interdisciplinary research. This paper focuses on the legal pluralism in the field of legal English and how to make innovative use of the theory. Facing the problems of "vacancy" and "dislocation" in Chinese legal translation, how to explore the nature of legal norms or the definition boundaries, and try to seek the enlightenment of the social system theory on legal translation.

Especialização funcional do Direito Comercial / Functional specialization in Commercial Law

O trabalho tem por objeto a análise de estruturas argumentativas empregadas em matérias de Direito Empresarial mas construídas a partir de repertórios de outras áreas do Direito. O problema a ser analisado é avaliar o uso de tais recursos em face da função social da dogmática jurídica comercialista. Como marcos teóricos, o trabalho vale-se de insumos da teoria dos sistemas e da tópica jurídica. A metodologia consiste em explanação das premissas teóricas da análise, a exposição de exemplos da jurisprudência e as conclusões acerca da referida problemática, que apontam para certa restrição ao emprego do gênero de argumentos analisado. Abstract: The object of this work is the argumentative structures applied in matters of Commercial Law, but construed with elements from other fields of law. The problem is to evaluate recourse to those structures in the light of the social function of the legal dogmatics on Commercial Law. The theoretical approach is grounded in both social system theory and topical reasoning. The methodology consist in the explanation of the theoretical basis, the illustration by examples and the conclusions about the problem, that point out to a certain restriction to the use of structures from other fields of law.

Heet en niet te blussen

Too hot to handle: conflicts as performative communication systems, a Luhmannian perspective In this article we argue that conflicts evolve as self-referential and performative communications. Instead of the conventional actor centric approach, we propose a perspective in which we follow conflicts in themselves. Inspired by Niklas Luhmann’s social system theory, we argue that conflicts function as heated and parasitic communications like meadow fires. Once a conflict bursts, it is hard to stop since everything in its environment can become fuel and increase its intensity. We explain how conflicts become persistent, what the role of actors and discourses are in its environment, and reflect on its reality effects. We conclude with a set of recommendations about how one correspondingly can deal with conflicts. For instance, by deliberately not engaging with conflicts. Or, if we do decide to engage, then we should try to understand the history of a conflict emergence next to its parallel positioning to other communications.