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{{Short description|Disorder analysis in sociocultural systems}} |
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{{Cleanup|reason=this article makes erroneous claims regarding anarchy| date=May 2008}} |
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'''Social entropy''' is a [[sociological theory]] that evaluates social behaviours using a method based on the [[second law of thermodynamics]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Social Entropy: A Paradigmatic Approach of the second law of thermodynamics to an unusual domain|url=http://www.nexialinstitute.com/social_entropy.htm|website=www.nexialinstitute.com|access-date=14 January 2018}}</ref> The equivalent of entropy in a social system is considered to be wealth or residence location.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Parra-Luna|first1=Francisco|title=Systems Science and Cybernetics- Volume I|date=2009|isbn=978-1848262027|page=165|publisher=EOLSS Publications }}</ref> The term "social entropy" was first used by physicist [[Peter Tait (physicist)|Peter Tait]] in 1874.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.eoht.info/page/Social%20entropy |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=www.eoht.info}}</ref> The theory was introduced by [[Kenneth D. Bailey (sociologist)|Kenneth D. Bailey]] in 1990<ref>{{cite book|last1=Ritzer|first1=George|title=Encyclopedia of Social Theory|date=2004|isbn=1452265461|page=314|publisher=SAGE Publications }}</ref> and extended recently by [https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Roumen-Tsekov Roumen Tsekov], who related social entropy to liberty and economic freedom.<ref>{{cite arXiv|title=Social Thermodynamics 2.0 |last=Tsekov|first=Roumen| date=2023 |class=physics.soc-ph |eprint=2307.05984}}</ref> |
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==References== |
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'''Social entropy''' is a [[Macrosociology|macrosociological]] [[systems theory]]. It is a measure of the natural decay within a [[social system]]. It can refer to the decomposition of [[social structure]] or of the disappearance of [[Distinction (sociology)|social distinctions]]. Much of the energy consumed by a social organization is spent to maintain its structure, counteracting social entropy, e.g., through legal institutions, [[education]] and even the promotion of television viewing. [[Anomie]] is the maximum state of social entropy.{{Disputed-inline|Talk page section|date=July 2012}} Social entropy implies the tendency of social networks and society in general to break down over time, moving from cooperation and advancement towards conflict and chaos. |
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{{Reflist}} |
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== Energy returned on energy invested theories == |
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A related economic model is proposed by Thomas Homer-Dixon and by Charles Hall in relation to our declining productivity of energy extraction, or [[Energy returned on energy invested]] or EROEI. This measures the amount of surplus energy a society gets from using energy to obtain energy. |
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There would be no surplus if EROEI approaches 1:1. What Hall argued is that the real cutoff is well above that, estimated to be 3:1 to sustain the essential overhead energy costs of a modern society. Part of the mental equation is that the EROEI of our traditional energy source, oil, has fallen in the past century from 100:1 to the range of 10:1 with clear evidence that Fossil Fuel natural depletion curves all are downward decay curves. An EROEI of more than ~3, then, is what appears necessary to provide the energy for societally important tasks, such as maintaining government, legal and financial institutions, a transportation infrastructure, manufacturing, building construction and maintenance and the life styles of the rich and poor that a society depends on. |
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The EROEI figure also affects the number of people needed for food production. In the pre-modern world, it was often the case that 80% of the population was employed in agriculture to feed a population of 100%, with a low energy budget. In modern times, the use of cheap fossil fuels with an exceedingly high EROEI enabled 100% of the population to be fed with only 4% of the population employed in agriculture. Diminishing EROEI making fuel more expensive relative to other things may require food to be produced using less fossil fuel energy, and so increases the number of people employed in food production again unless fossil fuels are replaced with renewable sources. |
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== See also == |
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* [[Energetics]] |
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* [[Klaus Krippendorff]]'s ''Dictionary of Cybernetics'' (University of Pennsylvania) |
* [[Klaus Krippendorff]]'s ''Dictionary of Cybernetics'' (University of Pennsylvania) |
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* [[Kenneth D. Bailey (sociologist)|Kenneth D. Bailey]] (1990). ''Social Entropy Theory''. Albany, New York: State University of New York (SUNY) Press. ISSN 1094-429X |
* [[Kenneth D. Bailey (sociologist)|Kenneth D. Bailey]] (1990). ''Social Entropy Theory''. Albany, New York: State University of New York (SUNY) Press. ISSN 1094-429X |
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== External links == |
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*[http://www.nexialinstitute.com/social_entropy.htm Social Entropy: A Paradigmatic Approach of the Second Law of Thermodynamics to an Unusual Domain] |
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*[http://www.normanspencer.co.nz/PredictionScience/SocialImplications.html Prediction Science] |
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[[Category:Social systems]] |
[[Category:Social systems]] |
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[[Category:Sociological terminology]] |
[[Category:Sociological terminology]] |
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[[Category:Cyberpunk themes]] |
[[Category:Cyberpunk themes]] |
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{{Socio-stub}} |
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Latest revision as of 02:22, 20 December 2024
Social entropy is a sociological theory that evaluates social behaviours using a method based on the second law of thermodynamics.[1] The equivalent of entropy in a social system is considered to be wealth or residence location.[2] The term "social entropy" was first used by physicist Peter Tait in 1874.[3] The theory was introduced by Kenneth D. Bailey in 1990[4] and extended recently by Roumen Tsekov, who related social entropy to liberty and economic freedom.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ "Social Entropy: A Paradigmatic Approach of the second law of thermodynamics to an unusual domain". www.nexialinstitute.com. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ Parra-Luna, Francisco (2009). Systems Science and Cybernetics- Volume I. EOLSS Publications. p. 165. ISBN 978-1848262027.
- ^ www.eoht.info https://www.eoht.info/page/Social%20entropy. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Ritzer, George (2004). Encyclopedia of Social Theory. SAGE Publications. p. 314. ISBN 1452265461.
- ^ Tsekov, Roumen (2023). "Social Thermodynamics 2.0". arXiv:2307.05984 [physics.soc-ph].
Further reading
[edit]- Klaus Krippendorff's Dictionary of Cybernetics (University of Pennsylvania)
- Kenneth D. Bailey (1990). Social Entropy Theory. Albany, New York: State University of New York (SUNY) Press. ISSN 1094-429X
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