Luhmann was a German sociologist and one of the most influential theorists of systems theory. His systems theory is based on the idea that social reality can be understood as a network of interrelated systems, each with its own internal logic and specific function within society.
According to Luhmann, social systems differentiate from one another through the type of communication they employ, with each system characterized by its own structures of encoding and decoding information. His approach reframed sociology as the study of communication-based systems, rather than individuals or actions.
Luhmann’s systems theory has had a major impact across multiple disciplines, including sociology, social-psychology, and communication theory.