This work gives, for the first time, a complete overview of the field of Systems and Cybernetics, as it developed from its beginnings more than 40 years ago up to date. It covers at the same time very general and well known basic concepts and much more information on the subject, until now scattered among hundreds of papers presented in international or national meetings, most of them completely out of reach of the majority of scholars. While redacted in English, it contains also a considerable store of valuable information gathered from sources in various other languages e.g. Dutch, French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish, etc. The work contains nearly: 3,000 entries in alphabetical order A considerable quantity of verbatim quotes from hundreds of authors More than 1,200 specific references General information about Systems and Cybernetic Societies in the world Principal journals in the field

The second edition of the International Encyclopaedia of Systems and Cybernetics provides, once again, a complete overview of the field of Cybernetics and its development since its beginnings more than fifty years ago. Many of the events around the world in recent years can be better understood by applying instruments belonging to system theory and cybernetics. Thus, the function of neural networks -- as a model of the interaction of many single elements in one coherent action -- can be applied to other social interactions and communication schemata: from the building of insect states, to the spreading of epidemics, or the course of a stock market crash. This Encyclopaedia contains both the more widely known basic concepts as well as detailed information on many areas within the field. Most of this knowledge resulted from hundreds of lectures given at international and national congresses, and is made easily accessible here for the first time to a broad public as well as the majority of scientists.The work contains almost 4,000 entries in alphabetical order with numerous citations by hundreds of authors. Over 1,500 special references to and details of societies for Cybernetics around the world and leading professional journals complete this presentation. Above all, the number of references in French, Italian, German and many other languages has risen considerably compared with the first edition.