NOTES ON THE ORGANIZATION OF INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES FROM A SYSTEMIC PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

According to Niklas Luhmann's Theory of Systems, today's society presents itself as a system (world) of differentiated functional social (sub)systems, such as Economics and Law, which carry out specific communications in their scope, produced by themselves (autopoiesis). It is a society of growing complexity. The organizations are complex systems that make decisions (communication) and aim at reducing uncertainties (complexities) in that decision. They may or may not be linked to a social system, e.g., economic system/banks. The Intelligence organizations can be comprised in this concept. This same theoretical framework, as a tool of analysis, turns out to be capable of providing descriptions closer to social reality. Thus, if on the one hand, the theory provides tools for understanding these organizations and, hence, opens up possibilities for improving their management in order to advise the complex systemic Public Power, on the other hand, it proves to be another methodological reference tool for the production of knowledge from these very structures. Moreover, the performance of these organizations must be mediated by trust; therefore, the need for tools and structures which provide reliability, and generate increasing quality of their services.