Toward a Unified Metaphysical Understanding: A system's perspective on open-source social operating systems    
 A system's perspective on open-source social operating systems
2011-03-13, by John Ringland

A brief preliminary brainstorm on the subject of open-source social operating systems (systems of governance), from the perspective of systems theory. This is just to put down a few thoughts that immediately pop into my mind in regards to this subject...

First some Background

Systemic Context:

Systems interact and evolve patterns of coordination, coherence and dependency, thereby integrating to form super-systems. This process is called a meta-system transition and is the manner in which all complex systems come to exist. Hence all systems are emergent from the interactions of their sub-systems and all systems participate in the emergence of super-systems. In order to be stable a system must be coherently integrated both within (amongst its sub-systems) and without (as part of super-systems).

For example, a human being is a super-system emergent from cellular interactions and also a sub-system within a society that is a super-system emergent from human interactions. In order to be stable they must have a healthy body and mind as well as be integrated into a healthy society.

When sub-systems interact in order to manifest a super-system they do so within a collective context (culture) that imposes an organising principle (ideology) that structures the collective operating system (governance). Systems can participate within the dynamics of multiple super-systems, hence there can often be competing or conflicting cultures, ideologies or governance.

Every system has an internal space that consists of the interactions of its sub-systems, as well as an external space, i.e. an environment that consists of all systems that influence it but which are not a part of itself. This external space is the internal space of an environmental super-system that is emergent from the interactions of these systems.

For a social system this environment includes the natural environment, other social systems, other individual humans, etc. The social system must be able to integrate into that environment and participate effectively in order to maintain the integration of the environmental super-system. Only when a system is coherent and harmonious both within and without is it healthy and stable.

Informal and Formal Structures

There are two fundamental perspectives within a meta-system transition, that of the sub-systems and that of the super-system. These correspond to the informal and formal structures within an organisation. The informal structure operates from the perspective of the sub-systems; it is the natural relations, roles and patterns of interaction that exist amongst the sub-systems. The formal structure operates from the perspective of the super-system; it is the defined relations, roles and patterns of interaction that are imposed by the super-system upon the sub-systems.

For example, in human society the informal structure is comprised of families, peer groups, the social grapevine, traditions, taboos, norms, legends, etc. Whilst the current formal structure is comprised of corporations, NGO's, universities, government departments, political parties, mass media, legislation, police, propaganda, history, etc.

Political Pendulum

When the informal structure is dominated by the formal structure this is related to authoritarianism, totalitarianism and fascism. When the formal structure is dominated by the informal structure this is related to revolution, anarchy and barbarism. There is usually ongoing dissonance such as tensions, misunderstandings and conflicts between these two structures. This is because they have conflicting needs, interests and perspectives and they are unaware of each other because they each define their reality from their own perspective, hence they blindly strive to meet their own needs without understanding why they meet with so much resistance from the other.

The more coordinated, coherent and interdependent the society becomes the more that the formal structure gains power and the individuals become powerless and manipulated. However if the members of a society remain uncoordinated, incoherent and independent then the society is not able to organise and act collectively in order to provide services or overcome dangers that can only be effectively dealt with on a collective scale.

Hence societies begin in barbarism and social pressures lead to the growth of the formal structure, which because of dissonance seizes control of the society leading to the loss of its legitimacy and eventual revolution. Then once again the society grows more coordinated and this once again evolves towards fascism. Thus the political pendulum swings.

Ultimately the power originates from the informal structure and is harnessed and channelled by the formal structure. Hence the formal structure can wield power against the informal structure but ultimately when the informal structure withdraws its consent the formal structure can no longer harness any power and is impotent.

If the informal and formal structures can recognise each other's legitimacy, understand their interdependence and work together then a stable social system is possible.

Co-option

In order for the super-system to emerge the sub-systems must coordinate in order to harness their collective power, pool it, channel it, distribute it, focus it and apply it where necessary. However, as the history of human social systems illustrates, once a “seat of power” is created it becomes a sought after prize for power hungry individuals and interest groups, who co-opt the social power structures and wield them for their own purposes that are often not in the interests of the individuals, nor of the society as a whole. Such political parasites are a common cause for social disease and when the collective is ill this negatively effects everyone within the society and also its environment.

Basic requirements of a social operating system:

Given the above considerations we can hypothesise some basic requirements of an effective social operating system.

  • The social operating system must recognise and be based upon an accurate awareness of the systemic nature and dynamics of society and not based upon mythological, anthropological, monarchist, capitalist or other arbitrary ideological foundations.

  • The social operating system must recognise and legitimise both the informal and formal structures and not deny or undermine the legitimacy of either. The needs, interests and perspectives of both the informal and the formal structures need to be taken into account and harmoniously integrated to the extent that it is possible to do so. The system should actively work to balance and harmonise the two structures, thereby dampening the swing of the political pendulum. Then the sub-systems and the super-system can live in harmony with each other.

  • The social operating system must be structured so that it is not able to be co-opted. There must be sufficient separation of powers so that no small group can take control, and there must be sufficient feedback and monitoring to ensure that even larger and more coordinated groups cannot co-opt the system for their own purposes. The system must receive feedback from all aspects of itself as well as from all perspectives that are impacted by its actions. This feedback will inform it about the needs, interests and perspectives of the informal and formal structures within it, and also about its general environment. If its actions in a particular area become co-opted this must be detected and resolved immediately. There will always be those who will try to 'hack' the system, they are like viruses that try to co-opt an organism and use it for their own purposes. Hence the social operating system needs an immune system that adapts to these incursions and maintains the upper hand in the political “arms race” for control over the collective. The collective must have sufficient self-awareness in order to maintain self-control.

  • The social operating system must be structured and rigid enough to be able to effectively harness, channel, focus and apply power in a persistent and stable manner. However it must also be unstructured and flexible enough to allow for individual initiative and for the system to evolve in response to changing social dynamics and environmental conditions.

  • The social operating system must be open and transparent enough so that there is adequate communication throughout the formal structure, between the formal and informal structures and with its environment. This allows for informed feedback that is then assimilated into the governing process. However the system must also be closed and opaque enough so that it is secured against being co-opted by factions both within the informal and formal structures, as well as foreign entities within the broader environment.

  • The social operating system must be focused on both internal harmony amongst its sub-systems and external harmony amongst the systems that comprise its environment. Only when harmony exists both within and without can the system be healthy and stable.

Open-Source Approaches:

There are two ways in which open-source principles can be applied.

Open-Source Design

Firstly, open-source development of the operating system itself has been around for some time. For instance, there exist operating systems that allow the few to dominate the many and these have been in open-source development for millennia. Some early versions were developed in Sumer and Egypt, along the way Machiavelli made some innovations, various emperors, monarchs, dictators, etc have 'installed' this operating system, adapted it to their own purposes and learnt from each other's example. So there is nothing new about open-source development of such social operating systems.

However much can be learnt from modern open-source methods. For instance, given some way to represent the system (analogous to a programming language) it can be described in intricate detail, analysed, simulated, shared, modified, compared, etc. This would help foster the growth and refinement of collective knowledge about social operating systems and how to implement and operate them.

Open-Source Implementation

The second manner in which open-source principles can be applied is in the functioning of the social operating system itself. It could utilise open-source methods in many aspects of its functioning, such as the writing of legislation, the development of infrastructure, etc.

The advent of the internet makes this approach feasible, whereas it was impossible to implement in previous historical contexts. Now it is possible for mass collaborations to produce quality results however there is still much to be learnt as these principles are applied to something as vital and controversial as systems of governance.

Conclusion

Using open-source approaches to design and implement social operating systems in accord with holistically systemic requirements would result in more robust and functional operating systems that are more likely to be acceptable to and inclusive of the informal structure because it has been developed by the informal structure, in collaboration with the formal structure and with full awareness of the systemic context in which it is being applied.

Because the operating system is emergent from the society rather than imposed upon the society it is likely to receive greater acceptance and legitimacy, therefore being able to harness, channel and coherently apply far greater power than any previous social operating systems. Once the new systems are in place there will no longer be so much energy tied up in internal tensions due to ongoing revolt and suppression, and external tensions due to environmental conflicts with nature and other social systems. This liberated energy can then be put to use, leading to a flourishing of vitality.

Furthermore, when the informal and formal structures can trust each other and work together there is far greater potential for social development, innovation, harmony and creative evolution.




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