№ 3 - 2004
Lyubarsky G.Yu.
Theory of a Complex Social System’s Dynamics (II)

In this 2nd part of the article (for its 1st part see Polis, 2004, № 2) the author analyzes development of a society that has achieved a high level of specialization and differentiation. As he demonstrates, with the increase of a socium’s specialization, its liability to the effect of inertia increases, the number of non-specialized strata — explerents (For comment a propos of the term see: Ibid., p. 187) — decreases, and the construction’s being composed of indecomposable blocks becomes more strongly pronounced. The following along this way of development leads to “contraction” of strata and to elimination of “minor” strata. In the social structure, there emerge “holes” that are filled by explerents. This results in drop of the socium’s specialization and stability. Then, following a new wave of specialization, the socium’s stability begins to increase again and the cycle recurs. However, in case of a too far-gone drop of stability, the socium may be destroyed by being broken down into “autonomous” blocks and separate strata. As the socium is being destroyed, the strata lose specialization and turn into a grouping that again develops processes of specialization, which lead to the organization of a new socium.