We describe the transfer of dissipative structure theory from thermodynamics to the social sciences. In our opinion, this transfer can contribute to a theory of social evolution where the relation between individual actions and social structures is a focal point. Central to the argument is the idea that dissipative structures emerge in social systems like they do in other open systems with inflows triggered by constraints. The transfer delivers a complexity-informed model for the different phases of social evolution. While there are average periods where the prevailing ‘norms’ of social behaviour do not change in a significant way, there are also bifurcation periods where the ‘norm’ of behaviour may change due to the amplification of deviating individual behaviour.

中文翻译：

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耗散结构和社会行为的个人和集体方面之间的关系

我们描述了耗散结构理论从热力学到社会科学的转移。在我们看来，这种转移可以促成一种社会进化理论，其中个人行为和社会结构之间的关系是一个焦点。该论点的核心是，耗散结构出现在社会系统中，就像它们在其他开放系统中出现的那样，流入是由约束触发的。这种转移为社会进化的不同阶段提供了一个复杂的模型。虽然存在社会行为的普遍“规范”没有显着变化的平均时期，但也有一些分叉时期，行为“规范”可能会由于个体偏离行为的放大而改变。