The state-controlled society against modern society – the case of Russia

Purpose This paper aims to demonstrate the heuristic value of Niklas Luhmann’s social theory for the analysis of autocracies, particularly the regime in Russia. A dictatorship can very well challenge central achievements of modern society, such as functional differentiation, within its territorial domain. The way in which codes, programmes and organisations interact and are used by the regime represents a relapse into a hierarchical and overly simplistic conception of society: the “organised society”. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses and discusses important components of Luhmann’s systems theory, especially his theory of society (functional differentiation with the central distinction between code and programmes and organisational systems), and applies them to a single case, namely Russia under Putin’s dictatorship, which undermines the autonomy of functional systems at the regional level. Findings Code and programmes are, in a sense, fused together in an autocracy. Putin’s ideology can be described as a meta-programme that controls the programmes in the functional systems that are important to the regime. The militarisation not only of the economy but also of other areas is one of the central sub-programmes of Putinism, which is intended to orient society towards the regime’s main ideological values. Originality/value Autocracies are usually described and analysed using political science approaches. The use of Luhmann’s social theory highlights the relevance of a sociological description that complements the political science one. The case of Russia in particular shows the price a regional society has to pay when it is trapped in the “organised society” of Putin’s dictatorship. The relevance of Luhmann’s theory is particularly evident in the analysis of autocracies.