Social systems must fulfil four basic functions to ensure their survival in competitive conditions. Social systems must provide for: (1) energy and other necessities of life, (2) security against external and internal threats, (3) identity and self-development, and (4) consistency and direction. These functions result in four more or less autonomous aspect systems; these aspect systems interact. Between the variables of basic functions and variables of aspect systems, a minimal level of consistency is required to facilitate growth and development, and to ensure the (future) survivability of the social system. Sooner or later, growth, change, and differentiated development result in inconsistencies within/between basic functions and aspect systems. These inconsistencies affect the effectiveness and efficiency of these social systems to provide for the basic functions. Periodically, deliberate or spontaneous corrective adjustments of social systems are required, to correct for these inconsistencies.
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