"The point is that we are not in a phase of 'posthistoire' but, on the contrary, in a phase of turbulent evolution without predictable outcome. In classical perspectives, one could compare the 'degree of modemization'-say, of Japan and China-and explain their differences by different structural preconditions and semantic traditions. But when we want to observe the evolution of society there is no other choice than to focus on the social system of the world society."

(Luhmann 1997: Globalization or World Society p.76)