Base anarchy: interaction, relationship, and anti-essentialism in social systems theory

In this paper, I seek to bring the theory of social systems closer to the most recent discussions for a relational sociology, triggered by the manifesto of Mustafa Emirbayer. I seek to show how the idea of a 'relational sociology' is equivalent to concepts emerging within Niklas Luhmann's meta-theoretical intent of a three-dimensional theory of systemic formation, namely: social systems, interactions, and organizations. I will pay attention to the interaction and the relational dimension that constitute it. I will highlight how the anti-essentialist impetus of relational sociology is well articulated there through the ideas of system, flow, communication, and co-presence. Finally, I will discuss how differentiation of interaction/society can contribute to overcoming the theoretical dilemmas of relational sociology such as freedom and determination, change and permanence.