Each holon could be regarded as either a whole or as a part depending on how one looks at it. A Holon will look as a whole to those parts beneath it in the hierarchy, but it will look as a part to the wholes above it. So, a holarchy is then a whole that is also a structure of parts that are in themselves wholes. This process can be described as unfolding-enfolding . In that sense, and that sense only, can the new and more encompassing holon be said to be of greater level or higher in the hierarchy.
Holonic organization has inherent stability of long term structure.
All these characteristics can be observed in biological and social systems. The stability of holons and holarchies stems from holons being self-reliant units, which have a degree of independence and handle circumstances and problems on their particular level of existence without asking higher level holons for assistance. Holons can also receive instruction from and, to a certain extent, be controlled by higher level holons. The self-reliant characteristic ensures that holons are stable and able to survive disturbances. The subordination to higher level holons ensures the effective operation of the larger whole.