Systems thinking and cultural relativism

Summary Literary canons nowadays have less of a social influence, but institutionalization prevents academics from facing the challenge this presents. If texts can be viewed within the larger context of culture, literary studies may be revitalised. The nature of power and the role of “rewriters” should be studied for the “resocialization” of literature. Systems theory presents a useful base for this endeavour. The principles of the theory are treated, with special attention to the role of patrons and the interface between systems. Examples of the way in which dominant cultures influence dominated systems, are given.