This essay applies the conceptual framework of the Systems Theory / Biological Epistemology — most prominently associated with Humberto Maturana / Niklas Luhmann — to re-read the Global Youth IGF 2024 Riyadh conference. Target audience: researchers, doctoral students, policy analysts, and executives.
Introduction: The Problem
The autopoiesis concept formulated by Maturana and applied to social systems theory by Luhmann captures the operating mode of self-referential systems. Global Youth IGF is a self-referential system that produces its discussion through its discussion.
This essay argues that the multistakeholder process of Global Youth IGF becomes intelligible in its specificity only through the concept of Self-creating systems, and that the concept itself undergoes transformation under the new material of digital space. Describing this mutual transformation is the task of this essay.
IGF as self-referential system
Discussions at Riyadh in 2024 themselves reference the accumulated IGF heritage and produce new accumulation. The national system of Saudi Arabia and IGF as a global subsystem mutually observe through structural coupling.
Each session's agenda-setting can be read as a contemporary restaging of the Humberto Maturana / Niklas Luhmann-type problematic.
The Youth IGF practically raises the philosophical problematic of intergenerational justice.
Structural coupling of system and environment
Humberto Maturana / Niklas Luhmann's concepts are not confined to abstract philosophical discussion; they apply to the concrete agenda items debated at the 2024 conference. We examine that application below.
1. Application to "ユース"
Discussion of "ユース" can be positioned, from the perspective of Humberto Maturana / Niklas Luhmann's Self-creating systems, as a central problematic. In Saudi Arabia's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around ユース are particularly at stake.
2. Application to "AI"
Discussion of "AI" can be positioned, from the perspective of Humberto Maturana / Niklas Luhmann's Self-creating systems, as a derivative problematic. In Saudi Arabia's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around AI are particularly at stake.
3. Application to "GDC実装"
Discussion of "GDC実装" can be positioned, from the perspective of Humberto Maturana / Niklas Luhmann's Self-creating systems, as a peripheral yet important problematic. In Saudi Arabia's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around GDC実装 are particularly at stake.
4. Application to "若者育成"
Discussion of "若者育成" can be positioned, from the perspective of Humberto Maturana / Niklas Luhmann's Self-creating systems, as a peripheral yet important problematic. In Saudi Arabia's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around 若者育成 are particularly at stake.
5. Application to "メンタルヘルス"
Discussion of "メンタルヘルス" can be positioned, from the perspective of Humberto Maturana / Niklas Luhmann's Self-creating systems, as a peripheral yet important problematic. In Saudi Arabia's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around メンタルヘルス are particularly at stake.
Implications for Executives and Practitioners
The philosophical reflection of this essay is not merely academic. The Humberto Maturana / Niklas Luhmann perspective carries three practical implications for executives operating in Saudi Arabia.
First, it raises the reflexive question of how the firm's business model connects to the logic of Self-creating systems. Second, in dialogue with regulators and civil society, it suggests dimensions of consensus formation that purely technical arguments cannot reach. Third, it indicates that the long-term ground of business legitimacy lies not so much in technical advantage or market share as in participation in such philosophical-normative debates.
Academic Positioning and Future Research
The argument of this essay attempts to graft a philosophical perspective onto the mainstream political-science and legal approaches to internet governance research. Three future research questions follow.
- Verification of the applicability of Humberto Maturana / Niklas Luhmann's framework to other IGF conferences
- Comparative contrast between Systems Theory / Biological Epistemology and other theoretical traditions
- Exploration of dialogue possibilities with the indigenous intellectual traditions of Saudi Arabia
In particular, the third point has the potential to liberate IGF research from West-centric debate and open a more multi-layered discursive space.
Primary Sources
- IGF Secretariat. Annual Reports of Global Youth IGF.
- Global Youth IGF 2024 Riyadh Conference Materials.
- Japan IGF Support Organization. https://japanigf.jp/
- Nakazawa Yuki Blog. https://nkzw.jp/category/igf/
Secondary Sources (Philosophy)
- Works of Humberto Maturana / Niklas Luhmann (representative texts of Systems Theory / Biological Epistemology)
*This piece belongs to the academic essays (philosophy series). The author's views do not necessarily represent those of any institutional affiliation. Feedback and critique are welcome.*
更新履歴
第1稿投稿 2026年6月23日 20時42分（記事コンテンツアップ）
— 中澤祐樹
