What are systems? What is society? What happens to human beings in a hypermodern world? Niklas Luhmann addressed these questions in depth. This book introduces his social systems theory which explains specific functions like economy and mass media from a cybernetic perspective, integrating various schools of thought including sociology, philosophy, and biology. Luhmann Explained explores the great thinker’s radical analysis of "world society." The book gives special attention to the present-day relevance of Luhmann's theory with respect to globalization, electronic mass media, ethics, and new forms of protest.

"An introduction to Niklas Luhmann's social systems theory. Discusses key concepts and relevant philosophical issues, and presents a case study. English-language translations of three of Luhmann's essays and bibliographies of works by and on Luhmann are included"

Introduction -- Part 1. A new way of thinking about society. What is social systems theory? ; What is real? ; What happens to the human being? ; What can be done? -- Part 2. Mass media. The mass media as a system ; Beyond manipulation ; The reality of the mass media ; Individuality and freedom -- Part 3. Philosophical contexts. Kant ; Hegel ; Marx ; Husserl ; Habermas ; Postmodernity, deconstruction, and techno-theory -- Conclusion: From metanarrative to supertheory