Moeller (philosophy, Brock U.) works through Luhmann's frequently opaque and disturbing theories of social systems with the conviction that, in fact, society does not consist of human beings. To make his case Moeller explains social systems theory, including its application to history and globalization, the process of making reality and the associated power of second-order cybernetics, the space beyond humanism and problems of identity, limits of activism and the comformism of protest into negative ethics and subtle subversions. He examines the mass media as a system and as a reality and how both apply to individuality and freedom and finally provides Luhmann's contexts in Kant, Hegel, Marx, Husserl, Habermas, postmodernity, deconstruction, and techno-theory. He provides a bibliography and translations of key texts. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)