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ABSTRACT
What are the media? What does the theory of generalized symbolic media
actually conceptualize? In brief, media are speci c forms of social co-
ordination; they are the most constant dynamics of social co-ordination
present in modern societies. Money, power, love, truth, and the other media
are the way in which societal subsystems, rstly, regulate their internal func-
tioning by contributing to its own differentiation and, secondly, nd the way
to interrelate with each other to produce co-ordinations between subsys-
tems. While the former means that each subsystem becomes more ef cient
by being only concentrated in its speci c tasks; the latter refers to the
societal framework in which differentiation takes place. Social co-
ordinations conceptualized as media give sociological content to the highly
abstract idea of the differentiation of modern societies.
One can say that social co-ordinations are necessary and unstable in
modern societies. They are necessar y, on the one hand, in the sense that
the complexity of modern social life makes unavoidable the interrelation
of different actors and logics in society. Either theorized as interpenetra-
tion (as in systems theory), or networks (as in Castells) or elds (as in
Bourdieu), interdependence is seen as a central feature of differentiated
societies. They are unstable, on the other hand, because social co-
ordinations are also under a high pressure of being disrupted and there-
fore to fail. In Luhmann’s words (1986: 4), what the generalized symbolic
media conceptualize is ‘the non-random character of variations in social
relations’.
In methodological terms, Lakatos’ (1978) notion of research pro-
gramme provides the framework for ful lling the task of analysing and
reconstructing the development of the theory of media. I propose that the
theor y of media has followed a progressive path by looking at the common-
alities and differences among the different versions of the theory. By
progressivity, I mean, rst, that the theor y becomes an autonomous eld of
theoretical research and second that the theory has evolved in the direc-
tion of providing better insights for the sociological characterization of the
differentiation of societies. Whilst this evolution is displayed step by step in
the following sections of the paper, I can straightaway summarize the main
path the theory has followed. Reconstructively, forty years after its rst
formulation, it can be seen that while Parsons originally talked of inter-
change media (that is, all media seen as an extension of the features of
money); Luhmann has proposed the concept of communication media (as
communication being the key element for the autopoiesis of the system);
and Habermas has distinguished between steering and communication media
(along the lines of his distinction between system and lifeworld). In spite
of these modi cations, however, it is proposed that there is only one theor y
of generalized symbolic media in the sense that the theor y has both main-
tained its focus – the conceptualization of the strongest dynamics of social
434 Daniel Chernilo
Parsons proposed that money is not the only medium in the social system
and de ned three more, each one especially related to one subsystem:
power (political system), in uence5 (societal community) and value
commitments ( duciar y system).6 Table I summarizes the major
components of the media in relation to the functional imperatives of a
differentiated social system.
It cannot be clear, at rst sight, what money has in common with the
other media. Hence the thesis that Parsons develops a real theory should be
supported by showing some properties which, as a generalization of the
characteristics of money, are adequate to the remaining media. In the
Parsonian version of the theory of interchange media, these properties can
be summarized as follows.7
1. Norms and codes: Each medium has a set of norms that rule its opera-
tions. As counterpart to its generalized and symbolic character, ever y
medium is institutionally anchored in its subsystem by norms. Media
have ‘meaning-speci city’ referring to these norms, and they perform
effectively only within their subsystems. In the case of money, for
example, there are many exchanges that can be regulated by it, but
there are also several that cannot. The codes of the media represent
the institutional mechanisms that make their operations functionally
adequate in differentiated contexts.
2. Circulation: Media can move both between actors inside the subsystem
and beyond the system’s boundaries (double-exchanges). This second
characteristic has special relevance in the explanation of the emerg-
ence of the subsystems of interpenetration and the thesis of inte-
gration through differentiation.
3. Scarcity: The highly ef cient performances of media are related to this
property. The norms which rule the acquisition of each medium
make it a scarce good, scarcity being related, then, to the base that
secures the operations of each medium. Scarcity, at the same time,
produces constraints as to how media circulate, and reinforces their
ef ciency.
4. Non zero-sum condition: This property means that no xed quantity of
a medium exists either within its subsystem or within the social system
as a whole. Their in ation or de ation processes are linked to the
credibility and ef ciency of each medium’s performance. Media’s
value could either increase or decrease depending on the perform-
ance of the different subsystems. Furthermore, gains in individual
possession of one medium do not imply a corresponding decrease in
the possession other actors might have of the same medium.9
5. Value principle: Each subsystem has a value principle that rules its
performances. It can be said that each medium has its own rationality,
complementar y with the rationality of the other media and subsystems.
The sociological conclusion of this discussion on Parsons’ theor y of media
is that they are achievements of modern societies. Only modern societies
have institutionalized conditions (that is, a high and successful degree of
differentiation) that make possible the emergence and functioning of
media. Technically speaking, generalized symbolic media of interchange
are a function of the degree of differentiation of social structures; the
media are consequence of such processes of differentiation (Parsons
1977a: 199).10 This is the key thesis that media are the result of the
processes of structural differentiation of societies. As we shall see, this thesis
is a major issue in the development of the theor y in relation to an historical
and sociological understanding of the differentiation of modern societies.
At the level of theory building one can say that Parsons himself was aware
of that, in some cases the properties would be more appropriate to money
than to the whole set of media. However, it was also said that this is the case
because it is a model still in progress (Baum 1977), a statement that
converges with the thesis about the constitution of the theory of media as
a research programme. In the following pages, I suggest that the develop-
ment of the theor y of media has produced a clear path, but one different
from Parsons’ idea of interchange media based on the properties of money.
functional differentiation, but also the way in which one must look at those
processes in order to achieve a societal level of abstraction. If this is not an
empirical result as such yet, it is undeniably an empirically-oriented claim
arising directly from the core of this theoretical outlook.
7. SUMMARY
As the paper has different lines of argumentation, in these last few words I
will simply tr y to clarify what these lines are and why I claim they form a
coherent framework.
1. I began with the broad sociological thesis about the rise of modern
societies in terms of a process of differentiation by doing two things
at once. First, I brought the issue of differentiation into the contem-
porar y debate, by relating it with the work of Parsons, Luhmann and
Habermas. Second, it was claimed that the theory of media as devel-
oped by these authors represents a sort of middle-range approach to
substantiate sociologically the problem of differentiation, which
remains at a paradigmatic level. The sociological relevance of looking
at the theor y of media is based not only in its intrinsic interest as a
contemporar y theoretical development, but also on its relation to the
general disciplinar y problem of the differentiation of societies.
2. The object of the theory was de ned by the formula that media repre-
sent the most stable dynamics of social co-ordinations present in
differentiated societies. In order to undertake the research, Lakatos’
proposal to the reconstruction of research programmes was chosen.
3. The reconstruction of the theory of media was done by looking at how
the three authors developed it within their own general analytical
frameworks. In those sections (3, 4 and 5) the accent was placed on
the elucidation of the set of properties that allowed us to understand
the different media as an identi able theor y, as a coherent corpus of
knowledge. Two were the main results of the reconstruction: rst,
money looses its position as paradigmatic medium, language being to
take that place. Second, the relation between media and differentia-
tion is rede ned by reversing Parsons’ thesis: media are now seen as
a causal component of the functional differentiation of societies, they
come before and not after the differentiation. Whilst Habermas
advanced the former development, Luhmann has the authorship for
the latter.
4. Finally, I undertook the substantiation of the theory of media, by
looking at Lakatos’ two clauses to prove the progressivity of the
programme. Firstly, it is clear that the theory of media is now an
independent analytical framework in relation to the rst Parsonian
formulation. Secondly, and arguably harder to prove, I put forward
the claim that there are further topics of research which are logically
The theorization of social co-ordination in differential societies 447
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
NOTES
1. This claim seems to be shared by the and Lidz’s (2001: 142–52) claims are
representatives of the neo-functionalist relevant. Whilst the former argues that
project (Alexander 1990). A similar thesis Parsons’ main movement was from lan-
about the recent developments in relation guage to money, the latter (whose
to the differentiation theory, but quite interpretation I endorse) claims that
critical of the neo-functionalists, can be Parsons’ media are derived from money
found in Schwinn (1998: 77–82). but recognizes that there is the tension as
2. Garcia’s (1997) account is interest- to whether money or language is the para-
ing, but he ful ls neither of these tasks. digmatic medium. My central claim is
3. In the following years, Parsons gen- different from both in that, beyond
eralizes the theor y of media to the ‘general Parsons’ intentions, Habermas and
system of action’ and later on to the Luhmann reconstructed the theor y of
‘human condition’. Nevertheless, this media by explicitly dealing with that
paper is only concerned with the media of original tension.
the social system because: (a) these media 5 Further developments of the Par-
are particularly relevant towards the sonian concept of in uence are found in
theorization of the dynamics of social co- Lidz (1991) and Cohen and Arato (1992:
ordination, and (b) Luhmann and Haber- 138).
mas focus their works mainly on the media 6. For a summar y, see Johnson (1992).
of the societal subsystems. 7. For a different version of these
4. On this issue, Dodd’s (1994: 60–2) properties see Münch (1994: 47–58).
448 Daniel Chernilo
8. This table is based on Baum (1977: Habermas, J. 1987 The Theory of Communi-
467) and Habermas (1987: 274). Method- cative Action Vol. 2. Lifeworld and System: a
ologically I follow Münch (1987: 220n) Critique of Functionalist Reason, UK: Beacon
when he writes ‘we should be concerned Press.
less with the individual formulations than —— 1996 Between Facts and Norms, New
with the interpretation of the paradigm’s Baskerville: MIT Press.
perspective’. Johnson, H. 1992 ‘The Generalized Sym-
9. A critique of the zero-sum model is bolic Media in Parsons’ Theor y’ in P.
found in Giddens (1995). Hamilton (ed.) Talcott Parsons. Critical
10. I owe this precise reference to Essays IV, London: Routledge.
Almaraz’s (1981: 504–6) comprehensive Lakatos, I. 1978 The Methodology of Scientic
work on Parsons. Research Programmes. Philosophical Papers
11. See also Arnold and Rodríguez Vol.1, J. Worral and G. Currie (eds), Cam-
(1991: 167). bridge: Cambridge University Press.
12. ‘Value-commitments’ also tends to Lidz, V. 1991 ‘In uence and Solidarity:
the application of sanctions, in this case De ning a Conceptual Core for Sociology’
not through physical but by social and in R. Robertson and B. Turner (eds)
psychological sanctions. See above, Table Talcott Parsons. Theorist of Modernity, GB:
I. Sage.
—— 2001 ‘Language and the “Family” of
Generalized Symbolic Media’ in A. J.
Treviño (ed.) Talcott Parsons Today. His
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