On theories, taxonomies, and models as communication codes for organizing information

Theories, taxonomies, models, and schemes for information classification and retrieval all can be evaluated from the viewpoint of communication theory, by their performance characteristics as languages or codes for organizing information. Specific performance tests for any theory include its organizing power, predictive range, average error margin, economy of categories, operating rules and social cost of adoption, originality, fruitfulness, and probability of transcending itself. Here examples are given from current theories of nationalism, power, and value.