The Synergetic Potential of Criminology During the Transition to the Sixth Technological Paradigm

The article discusses the theoretical justification of the expediency of introducing the principles of synergetic methodology into criminological research, and into criminological paradigm in general. Viewing crime as a sub-system in a complex systemic mechanism of social relations corresponded to the theoretical arsenal of the science that made its interpretation possible. The widening borders of crime require the application of a methodological approach whose principles enable its research in the modern context of a transforming society. New mechanisms, such as universal digitization, convergent technologies, Big Data and other features of the emerging sixth technological paradigm characterized by the unpredictability of many phenomena and processes have made it impossible to explain the altered subsystem of crime, with its borders and internal logic, using the existing theoretical resources. The principles of the synergetic paradigm could be used to measure and assess crime, to predict and predetermine its alternative dynamics and the opportunities for regulating it. One of the principles of synergetics — bifurcation, which is the change of the stability of the system at the point of choice, where the previous trajectory loses its stability and new potential paths for the system’s development emerge, poses the task of making a most effective, minor impact on the system. The theory of “soft” management, viewed as a harmonizing impact on the managed system, was developed by social synergetics and used by the theory of criminology. Accidents and bifurcation, as synergetic categories and triggers of systemic change, should be evaluated by the theory of crime determination, criminal behavior, and then used in the theory and practice of crime counteraction. Like any other scientific theory, synergetics in criminology should encourage the generation of new ideas for further research, and establish integrated benchmarks for developing the methods of assessing and measuring crime. In such a case, this methodology will correspond to the criterion used to determine the value of a theory (its heuristic value). It refers to the questions of developing the instruments of measurement and assessment in the conditions of transition to the sixth technological paradigm with its convergence and integrative language of research at the intersection of sciences. Synergetic interdisciplinarity will ensure that its principles are taken into account and introduced into the fabric of social and social-legal studies.