Permalink : http://hdl.handle.net/2115/59347

The purpose of this paper is to consider the relation between public sphere and social functional systems in modern society from a viewpoint of Luhmann’s social theory. In the 1960s Habermas thought that a public sphere is the place where citizens argue freely and public opinion is formed. But since the place of social determination is specialized, the function of a political public sphere is reduced in modern society. Moreover, the ideal combination of a political public sphere and a rational public sphere also becomes less realistic. It has been diversified and decentralized. Considering such a situation, it is more conformable to think that a public sphere is the environment of social functional systems.