Steering the world from where we are: An introduction to the sociocybernetics perspective

The concept of sociocybernetics has been shaped over the past 40 years at the intersection between first- and second-order cybernetics, constructive epistemology and systems science. This has produced a common language to bridge these different disciplines and a common basis for research analysing complex social problems. Sociocybernetics applies second-order cybernetics concepts to the study of societies, communities and groups in which first- and second-order reflexivity may play an important part, but it is not only a theoretical perspective in the abstract; it is also an approach that is applied to the analysis of cross-disciplinary issues such as systemic violence, the role of technology in society, environmental challenges, urban planning, community development, social identity and media representation, among many others. This article provides an introduction and a general conceptual description of second-order cybernetics in the broader context of cybernetics and systems sciences. It also presents the sociocybernetics debate as it stands today, after the 20-year anniversary of the Research Committee on Sociocybernetics’ (RC51) activities within the International Sociological Association (ISA) and its contributions to understanding and acting upon an increasingly complex social world. Sociocybernetics is the science of turbulent societies that somehow continue to adapt themselves, despite the complexities they are confronted with. The articles in this monograph introduce some of the current work of the research committee and showcase the extensive potential for sociocybernetics’ interaction with other areas of sociology and contemporary debate.