The development of society, the economy, and the course of political processes are largely carried out according to systemic principles. Their essence implies the following of certain elements or subjects to certain laws, their fulfillment of one or another role. What is a system? What is the specificity of the components that form it?
Definition
Before considering the main elements of the system, we will determine the essence of the key category of the issue. What are the opinions of researchers in this regard? In accordance with a common point of view, the term "system" should be understood as a combination of connected and interdependent parts, united by some common criterion (for example, purpose). Moreover, each of the relevant parts may have a pronounced independence.
The properties
The system should have the following basic properties: the presence of several elements, the presence of a common criterion that unites them, integrity, and the desire to maintain its structure. Other important features identified by researchers include the need for external control, as well as the complex structure of the properties of internal elements (in which it is possible that the features characterizing one part of the system will differ significantly from those that apply to the other).
Structure
What can be the structural elements of the system? Such, on the one hand, are subjects or phenomena interacting with each other, on the other hand, the actual results of their communications, which may be the formation of new elements of the system, and so on. Thus, the structural element of the system is a subject that may not have signs of completeness and integrity.
Item Specifics
For example, if we are talking about the economic system of the state, then its element may be, on the one hand, the totality of credit and financial organizations, and on the other, the activities of the relevant structures (which may consist in conducting transactions, issuing loans, etc.). The result of communications at the level of the national economic system can be the formation, in turn, of regional, local or sectoral economic clusters, which can subsequently gain pronounced independence with respect to the original system.
Indivisibility of elements
It is rather difficult to single out criteria that would uniquely determine what properties and external features elements of the economic system should have . Some researchers propose to adhere to the concept according to which it is legitimate to single out only those parts of the system that are difficult to divide into functional varieties or additional classes due to objective criteria. So, an example of such an element in the economy can be an enterprise or, for example, a territorial representation of the Federal Tax Service.
Independence of elements
There is another point of view on what signs characterize the elements of the economic system. According to some researchers, such can be any business entities that have relative independence in decision-making. So, the territorial subdivision of the Federal Tax Service can no longer be an element of the economic system, since it is subordinate to the federal governing bodies. In turn, the corresponding type of entity will be the Federal Tax Service as a whole. Similarly, an element of the system is an enterprise if it exists as an independent legal entity. If it is part of the holding structure, it will not be able to possess a similar status, if you follow the point of view under consideration.
Types of systems
Having studied what a system, element, structure of this category is, we will consider the popular grounds for its classification.
So, open and closed systems are distinguished. The first include those that involve active communication with other systems. They are characterized by some kind of exchange - data, energy, or, for example, information - with other subjects of activity. Closed systems, in turn, are not characterized by similar properties. Examples of open systems are society, economics, and political space.
Another common criterion is the level of structure. What does this mean? So, systems can be characterized by pronounced or weak structuredness. In some cases, these terms are identified, respectively, with a high level of organization and low. Or, for example, with a pronounced ability for self-regulation and poorly noticeable. The specific approach is determined by the preferences of the researcher. There are experts who identify the concept of structuredness with the ability to independently adapt and tune (to environmental conditions or the interaction of constituent elements).
One way or another, the systems of the first type — structured, highly organized, self-regulating, and capable of self-adaptation and tuning — include those in which the constituent elements are clearly fixed and have their own role. It can be noted that this feature is more characteristic of technical systems.
If we talk about poorly structured systems (respectively, characterized by a low level of organization, lack of ability to self-regulation, adaptation and tuning), then, in turn, the elements in them may not have specific signs and unambiguous roles. However, in such systems there are parameters and patterns that allow us to evaluate their activity. In some cases, it is possible to use probabilistic methods of process analysis.
Some researchers distinguish deterministic and stochastic systems. What are their specifics? The first include those systems that have a fairly rigid structure. Actually, in some contexts they are considered as fully consistent with structured ones (highly organized, self-regulating, adaptable, self-adjusting). However, there are a number of special criteria characterizing deterministic systems. For example, sustainability that persists over time. A structured system can sometimes be modified and take on the attributes of a low organization, as well as vice versa. However, if this is observed with respect to a deterministic system, then in this case it can be destroyed in principle. In turn, the stochastic system should always be soft, otherwise it may lose the functionality of the bonds working inside it (since they may simply not be designed for the rigidity inherent in a deterministic system).
The next aspect that interests us is the characterization of the elements of the system. What are the most noteworthy concepts in this regard?
Classification of system elements
So, an element of the system is, if we follow the first point of view discussed above, a holistic, indivisible subject interacting with others that have the same features. In accordance with another concept, such may be a subject characterized by pronounced independence. But regardless of what is meant by the corresponding term, and what properties of an element of the system — indivisibility or independence — are considered paramount, in all cases one or another subject will play a certain role, or even several. Which is likely to be a criterion for assigning an element to a particular class. What roles can system actors play? What signs should they possess, therefore?
System-forming and auxiliary elements
Researchers identify, first of all, system-forming elements and auxiliary. What does it mean? For example, if we consider the elements of the banking system, then the institution of credit and financial relations (if we adhere to the concept that independence is important) or individual banks (if we take as a basis the theory that the key feature of the element is indivisibility). In turn, the auxiliary elements in this case can be supervisory authorities, which check the effectiveness of the legality of the work of key entities - banks (if we take the first concept) or, for example, an organization that provides cash collection services (if we consider the theory of the indivisibility of system elements )
Elements of strategic and tactical significance
Another criterion for classifying the subjects in question is the duration of their activities. There are elements whose role is reduced to solving tactical tasks, and there are those that are of strategic importance. If we again consider the elements of the banking system, then the collection service can be fully attributed to the subjects of the first type. Its main task is to transfer funds from one place to another. After that, the corresponding element ceases to fulfill its role. In turn, the strategic components of the banking system are, obviously, the financial institutions themselves. However, they can also be classified, within the framework of the considered criterion, into additional varieties. So, there are the main offices of banks, which, while the corresponding brand is present on the market, will function in any case. And there are temporary offices that can periodically open and close. The former will relate to strategic elements, the latter to fulfill a temporary function.
Competency and responsibility for public elements
Another possible criterion that determines which class this or that social element of the system should belong to. This classification is authorized or obligatory. This category finds its foundation in civil law, but it is quite applicable to many other branches of social communications. So, if we consider the elements of the financial system, then we can refer those authorized bodies to those authorized. They have the right to check financial institutions for compliance with their legislation. They can examine bank assets for sufficiency to secure liabilities. They have the right to revoke licenses from financial institutions in case serious violations are discovered.
In turn, the obligatory elements of the financial system are the banks themselves. Relevant organizations should report to supervisory structures, bring their activities into compliance with the law, provide the necessary data that disclose the value of assets, etc.
At the same time, the authorized element of the system will almost always be simultaneously obligated to any other entity. For example, the supervisor controlling the work of banks will, as we noted above, be authorized with respect to them, but at the same time be obligated in relation to the government of the country. In turn, financial institutions are obligated in relation to supervisory structures, but at the same time they can be authorized in relation to their borrowers who have taken a loan. Citizens who apply for a loan may be authorized, surprisingly enough, with respect to their own government. They have the right to demand fair administration of the state and its various institutions, including economic. This ensures the interaction of different entities - citizens, banks, supervisory structures, government - within the framework of a large-scale social system.