ABSTRACT
Energy and the organization of energy are the prime characteristics of social systems. This chapter discusses aspects of social systems that follow from these prime characteristics. All systems are composed of energy interchange. One way to describe this basic energy interchange is to employ the constructs of evolution, structure, and behavior of social systems. The balance between change and maintenance may shift drastically toward one pole or the other, but if either extreme were reached, the system would cease to exist. Steady state occurs when the system is "in balance"; the system maintains a viable relationship with its environment and its components, and its functions are being performed in a way that ensures its continued existence. When systems exchange energy across their boundaries they are linked or have linkage with each other. A form of hierarchy is that of power and control: some parts control others by regulating access to resources or by regulating communication.
