Mlicki, Marek M.

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Clinical Sociology ReviewVolume 7 | Issue 1 Article 181-1-1989An Introduction to SociotechnicsMarek M. MlickiPolish Academy of SciencesFollow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/csrThis Practice of Clinical Sociology is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@WayneState. It has been accepted for inclusion inClinical Sociology Review by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@WayneState.Recommended CitationMlicki, Marek M. (1989) "An Introduction to Sociotechnics," Clinical Sociology Review: Vol. 7: Iss. 1, Article 18.Available at: http://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/csr/vol7/iss1/18An Introduction to SociotechnicsMarek K. MlickiInstitute of Philosophy and Sociology,Polish Academy of SciencesThe Polish school of sociotechnics (social engineering) was invented byAdam Podgorecki in 1966. Its theoretical foundations stem from LevPetrazycki's concepts of legal policy and Tadeusz Kotarbinski's praxiology,i.e., the science of efficient action. Podgorecki defined sociotechnics as a setof directives that teach how to invent purposeful and rational social changes.The terms "rational" and "purposeful" suggest that Podgorecki understoodsocial engineering as an application of praxiological principles to the sphere ofscience-based interventions into social life (e.g., social problem-solving).In 1966 Podgorecki published his Zasady Socjotechniki—[Principles ofSociotechnics] (Warszawa: Wiedza Powszechna). This basic book was followedby four of his edited volumes: Socjotechnika—[Sociotechnics] (Warszawa:Ksiazka i Wiedza, 1968); Socjotechnika—[Sociotechnics: How to Act Effi-ciently] (Warszawa: Ksiazka i Wiedza, 1970); Sociotechnics: Styles of Action(Warszawa, 1972); Sociotechnics: Functionality and Disfunctionality of Institu-tions (Warsaw, 1974). The main contributors were scholars gathered aroundPodgorecki and their interests were devoted to formulating principles of efficientapplication of social sciences and to various methodological problems of socialengineering. After flourishing for eight years, the school of sociotechnics sud-denly ceased to exist.My book, Socjotechnika: Zagadnienia Etyczne i Prakseologiczne—[Socio-technics: Ethical and Efficiency Issues] (Wroclaw: Ossolineum), appeared inPoland in 1986—twenty years after the publication of Podgorecki's Principlesof Sociotechnics. Taking advantage of recent achievements, the 1986 volumepresents another vision of social engineering. This one is based on JaroslawRudnianski's general theory of social struggle. This particular view of socialreality reformulates the basic notions and definitions of sociotechnics. Theconclusion is that a considerable number of sociotechnical actions, particularly176 CLINICAL SOCIOLOGY REVIEW/1989those on a global scale, are characterized by conflict and struggle and also thatsociotechnics is one of the methods of exerting power over a social system.Sociotechnics is viewed here as an applied science which shapes humanattitudes and impels individuals or groups toward a certain mode of behaviorby influencing both the emotional and intellectual spheres of the human psyche."Social steering" is seen as a practical application of a set of directives thathave been chosen by a power elite to gain and strengthen control over a society.A variety of "social steering" activities are analyzed throughout the book.The second chapter discusses how sociotechnics is used by rulers in un-armed social struggles against both internal and external enemies and also howit is applied in armed conflicts to increase the efficiency of military actions.This chapter focuses on social orders which generally may be characterized ascentralized or monocentric.Social struggle in a dense social environment requires full control over themembers of a team whether it is a small group, an organization, or a society.In such a struggle, today's foe may become tomorrow's ally while an ally maybecome a foe. In this situation, members have to be subordinated to the highestpossible degree so that attitudes and behavior can be quickly altered. Rulers alsocarry out a sui generis struggle against their own society. (The less legitimatedthe authority, the more severe the struggle.) Rulers may use social engineeringto atomize society and set its groups at variance.The second chapter also describes in detail the four main sociotechnicalmethods. (Taken as a whole, they form an anthropotechnical—using people assensu largo tools—social engineering.) The methods are:1. Manipulation of ideals and values. The most treasured values—dignity,freedom, social justice, patriotism, equality—are said to be realizedonly by actions demanded by the rulers.2. Stirring of nonelementary needs. Needs such as power, possession andprestige are stirred and channeled. Then certain attitudes and behaviorare demanded in return for supplying goods which satisfy these needs.3. Intensification of fear. Rulers, by using force and various forms ofviolence, make people fear that disobedience may threaten their securityand spell disaster.4. Disinformation. Rulers, by hiding or perverting facts and providing falseinformation, shape the people's picture of reality.Chapter 3 is devoted to the role of science (as a body of knowledge) andscientists in preparing and applying social steering. Careful attention is givento the interconnections between the scientific community and the power elite.The methods that rulers use to impel or force scholars to work for them is ofparticular interest. The direct methods are identified as the incorporation ofleading scholars into the elite's external circles, the exploitation of the values andideals of leading scholars, and the enforcement of a "market-science paradigm"INTERNATIONAL NOTE AN INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOTECHNICS 177where salary and work facilities depend largely on the applicability of researchresults. The most common indirect method is the use of scholarly results withoutthe knowledge and permission of the author.This chapter also deals with the gaps and shortcomings of social sciencewhich disable practitioners so that they cannot formulate rational directives ofsocial action. At the same time, it points out successful engineering actions andreconstructs the model of society and the human psyche that seems to be ac-cepted by those who undertake social engineering. This model is compared toanother one (based on the works of Antoni Kepinski, Carl G. Jung, and onhumanistic and philosophical psychology) and demonstrates the narrowness ofthe initial model.Chapter 4 concerns the problem of defense against an anthropotechnicalsociotechnics in which human beings are used as tools without regard for theirneeds and rights. After outlining the omnipresence and multiformality of socialengineering, the most efficient method of defense is identified. This defense isbased on a realization of the set of moral values found in humanistic ethics. Theactive and conscious aspiration of these values immunize an individual againstboth exploitation of ideals and stirring nonelementary needs as well as toughenthe individual against fear intensification. The person who strives to act for thegood of others and to develop his or her own morale is seen here as somehowresistant to manipulative social engineering.The subject of the fifth chapter is the ethical evaluation of anthropotechnicalsociotechnics. As a frame of reference, several ethical systems are discussed—Christian ethics, ethics of Indian philosophy and Tadeusz Kotarbinski's inde-pendent ethics. The motives and purposes of those who implement sociotechnicsare evaluated here as are the methods used and the intended and unintendedresults.The analyses lead to the conclusion that sociotechnics can break moralnorms that guard human dignity, freedom, justice, and other important humanrights. Sociotechnics is found to be capable of destroying people's confidence,atomizing a society, and creating a negative moral climate. The obvious dangersstemming from such a situation are outlined.The last chapter is devoted to humanistic sociotechnics—a field whichseeks to help people in their inner, moral development and also observes crucialmoral norms. Several principles of humanistic social engineering are providedand the conditions for effective practice are described. Finally, some sugges-tions are provided concerning further research.

An Introduction to Sociotechnics

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