ABSTRACT
In social theory the notion of open systems as organised complexity requires an explication of the nature of recursiveness in all areas of social life. Theorising recursiveness is problematic, especially with respect to the notion of a theory of structural activation (Clark 1975a; 1985; 1987). This chapter briefly examines the contributions to recursiveness in open systems and morphogenesis (Buckley 1967) and structuration theory (Giddens 1984) before moving into Layder's (1997) revisions, known as domain theory. Then consideration is given to how the realist turn in social science handles recursiveness and morphogenesis.
