Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine Autopoietic Theory of Niklas Luhmann (1927-1998) introducing Autopietic Theory to public administration literature and to make contributions decentralization discussions from the perspectice of Luhmann. Luhmann who has developed his society theory in 1930’s established his theory as an anti-thesis to structural-functional theory. He defends segmentary social structres instead of structures which see society as a whole and indivisable construction. According to Luhmann, society consists of many system which has its own sub-systems which are self-sufficient. Luhmann defends that it is possible to construct a theory which explains modern society in a best way and takes the society as a divisable structure. Decentralization is on the agenda as a process following segmentary and autonomous structures rather than centralized and holistic constructions. From the perspecticve of Luhmann, decentralization is an inevitable end of modern society. A healthy and peaceful society must consists of autopoietic systems. In the study the main concepts of Luhmann’s theory as autopoiesis, self-refrance and communication were examined.