Hiito Sato

The Smooth Society and Its Enemies (Japanese: なめらかな社会とその敵, Nameraka na Shakai to Sono Teki) is a book by Ken Suzuki, published in January 2013 by Keiso Shobo. The book presents a vision for a new social system designed to address the complexity of modern society. Suzuki, a complex systems scientist and entrepreneur, explores the limitations of current social institutions and technologies, proposing innovative ideas for their improvement.
==Overview==
Suzuki's work critiques binary structures and rigid institutions in modern society, exploring the possibility of a more flexible and inclusive "smooth society." The book applies concepts from biological systems to social systems, proposing a more fluid understanding of the boundaries between individuals and society. The main theme is the question, "Is it possible to live in this complex world as it is, in all its complexity?" The book argues that to achieve this, social systems need to be updated over a 300-year period.
==Key Concepts==
The main concepts presented in this book are:
===Smooth Society===
A "smooth society" refers to a society that has diversity but does not fall into binary oppositions. The concept of "smoothness" is introduced and contrasted with traditional "step" (with clear boundaries) or "flat" (without boundaries) social structures. Suzuki explains that a smooth society is one where "everyone is a minority" because there are many intermediate states.
The book uses sigmoid functions to explain different types of societies:
* A "flat society" is uniform with no diversity, requiring strong intervention to unify values.
* A "step society" has diversity, but these diversities are separated and in opposition.
* A "smooth society" allows for diversity without falling into opposition.
===PICSY (Propagational Investment Currency SYstem)===
PICSY is a new monetary system where value propagates through chains of transactions. Every transaction is considered an investment, and all goods, including labor, are treated as investments. The system uses matrix calculations to determine the contribution to the entire society, which is then treated like a stock price and used as currency.
===Divicracy (Dividual Democracy)===
Divicracy is a new form of democracy that recognizes the multifaceted nature of individuals. Instead of democracy based on the "individual" as a unit, it is based on multiple personalities (dividuals) that exist within an individual. This system allows for votes to be divided and cast, and for voting on both policies and people.
===Constructive Social Contract Theory===
This concept proposes a new approach to social contracts utilizing technology. It aims to realize a more direct and dynamic social contract using technologies such as blockchain.
==Content==
The book is divided into five parts:
===Part I: Smooth Society===
This section develops the theoretical basis for applying biological systems concepts to society. It discusses the possibility of redesigning social institutions as artifacts, referencing complex systems science and autopoiesis theory.
===Part II: Propagational Investment Currency PICSY===
This part explains the PICSY system in detail, including its theoretical model and potential implementation challenges.
===Part III: Divicracy (Dividual Democracy)===
This section develops the concept of Divicracy, drawing on ideas from French philosopher Gilles Deleuze.
===Part IV: Natural Intelligence===
This part examines the relationship between intelligence and computation, presenting a perspective that views social systems as a kind of intelligence.
===Part V: Law and Military===
The final part examines the positioning of law and military in the proposed social system, including a critical examination of Carl Schmitt's "friend-enemy theory."
==Reception and Influence==
===Academic Reception===
The book has been well-received in various academic fields. Notable evaluations include:
* Shinichi Nakazawa (philosopher and anthropologist) described it as "the most promising worldview currently emerging from the philosophy of complexity."『なめらかな社会とその敵』単行本帯コメント、2013年
* Masahiko Aoki (Professor Emeritus at Stanford University) called it "a stimulating attempt with great potential that rewrites the traditional stories of social science."『なめらかな社会とその敵』単行本帯コメント、2013年
* Takeshi Yoro (Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo) stated, "This is a book I would recommend to anyone who feels there are problems in modern society."毎日新聞 2013年03月24日 東京朝刊
===Influence on Technology and Business===
The book's concepts have influenced cryptocurrency and blockchain technology communities. Several startups, including Gaudiy and Merpay, have cited the book's influence on their business models.
===Policy Impact===
The book's concepts have been discussed in policy-making circles. For example, Keisuke Murakami, the Director-General of the Digital Agency, has proposed "Aiming for the 'Design' of a Smooth State" based on the book's concepts.
===International Recognition===
The book's influence has extended beyond Japan. It has been introduced in Chinese-speaking regions as "平滑社会" (Smooth Society). Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, has mentioned the book's concepts in his blog, noting similarities with the philosophy of Plurality.
==Criticism and Debate==
The book has also sparked debates regarding the feasibility and ethical implications of its proposed systems. Key points of discussion include:
1. Economic stability and implementation challenges of the PICSY system
2. Issues of individual responsibility and rights in dividual democracy
3. How a "smooth society" would address existing power structures and inequalities
These discussions reflect the complexity and significance of the issues raised by the book.
==Editions==
* Hardcover: Published by Keiso Shobo in January 2013
* Paperback: Published by Chikuma Shobo in October 2022, including a new essay reflecting on developments since the first edition
==Further reading==
* Suzuki, Ken (2013). The Smooth Society and Its Enemies. Keiso Shobo. 
* Suzuki, Ken (2022). The Smooth Society and Its Enemies (Paperback edition). Chikuma Shobo.
==Related Items==
Sociology
Complex Systems
Autopoiesis
Local Currency
Web3
Blockchain
Smart Contract
Decentralized Autonomous Organization
DAO
Social Contract Theory
Forms of Democracy
New Associationist Movement
Dividualism
Deliberative Democracy
Quadratic Voting
Radical Markets
Plurality
PICSY
Constructive Social Contract Theory
Divicracy
Voting Systems
Liquid Democracy
Direct Democracy
Representative Democracy
Military Strategy
Asymmetric Warfare
Cyber Warfare
Political Systems
Currency Systems
Central Bank Digital Currency
Complex Adaptive Systems
Emergent Phenomena
Self-organization
Fractal
Chaos Theory
Free Energy Principle
Predictive Coding
Bayesian Inference
Machine Learning
Deep Learning
Reinforcement Learning
Cybernetics
Life Systems Theory
Post-capitalism
Post-nation-state
Digital Commons
Cryptoeconomics
Social Token
Decentralized ID
Complex Systems Biology
Category:2013 Books
Category:Philosophy Books
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Category:Social Philosophy
Category:Complex Systems Science
Category:Political Philosophy
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Category:Systems Theory
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Category:Technology and Society
Category:Digital Democracy Theory