Special Issue INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES AND

August 2016 CULTURAL STUDIES ISSN 2356-5926

Image of the State as a Conceptual Fractal

Evgenia M. Nikolaeva and Yulia F. Kalimullina
Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia.

Abstract

In today's scientific knowledge there is an increase of the share of multidisciplinary research,

the essence of which is the transfer of cognitive, methodological schemata from one science to
another. So, following the natural and exact sciences, synergistic conceptions in social and
humanitarian spheres are actively developing.
A doctrine of fractals has played an important role in revealing synergetic manifestations of
the processes of different nature. The basic concepts of fractal geometry is quite suitable to
describe social phenomena. The authors in this paper attempt to disclose the essence of the
state's image via fractal methodology, interpret it as a conceptual fractal.
It has been revealed that the image of the state has a number of characteristics that
distinguish it from other similar formations. These characteristics include: multi-dimensional
and dynamic structures, nonlinear self-similarity, multi-threaded synergy, as well as a
fundamental incompleteness.
The materials of this article allow to elicit and explore the features of the structure,
functioning and development of image of the state, as well as contribute to a different view of
this social phenomenon as a special variation of complex self-organizing system process.

Keywords: Image of the state, fractal methodology, conceptual fractal, synergy.

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Introduction
Due to the fact that fractals are widely represented in nature, the methods of fractal geometry
have been penetrating into the various branches of science. The theory of fractals and fractal
organizations is used as the methodology in the studies of developing socio-economic systems
[1].
Advantageously, this process has a character of metaphorical transfer, which allows
researchers to carry out a preliminary exploration of the problems that are not yet subject to
strict rational comprehension.
American architect Ch. Jencks, speaking of a new paradigm in architecture, notes: Science of
complex systems including fractal geometry, nonlinear dynamics, neocosmology, the theory
of self-organization and others, brought a change of ideological perspectives [2]. Now, a
part of scientific community recognizes the universality of fractals, as they work in any
specialism ... Then not only the processes in the laser, but also society and social institutions,
and language, and even thought are fractals, - says Russian researcher V. Ye.
Voitsekhovich[3]. Fractal models enable to find out a pattern and a harmonious ordering of
such systems, where it would seem there is an absolute chaos of divergent human aspirations
and varied empirical facts - fractal geometry unites them, at the same time, not putting them
in the Procrustean bed of the elementary schemes. The metaphor of a fractal which is
characterized by scale invariance allows us to reduce all the diversity of the facts, irrespective
of their size, to a certain pattern, which can be represented as a fractal generator. This quality
uniformity of a basic pattern at that is not contrary to the quantitative diversity of the studied
facts.
The emergence of fractal geometry is associated with the name of Franco-American
mathematician B. Mandelbrot, who published in 1977 the book Fractals: Form, Chance, and
Dimension [4]. B. Mandelbrot believed that nature is characterized by fractal method for
self-organization. Fractal methodology thus allows to create concrete mathematical models of
social processes. Fractal geometry reveals simple rules and their multiple results and effects
... Fractals have very extensive and branched roots which in many cases have paved their way
into many areas of knowledge.
B. Mandelbrot defining fractal as a structure composed of parts which are in one sense
similar to the whole distinguished two main characteristics of a fractal: unnaturalness and
self-similarity. If the property of unnaturalness is taken into account to a greater extent from a
mathematical point of view as a lack of a derivative at every salient point and is primarily
perceived visually, the property of self-similarity when a small portion of the fractal contains
information about all fractal is applied in the humanities.
Self-similarity is the very essence of fractal structures and involves a large-scale invariance of
fractal patterns, which in turn reproduce the characteristic features of fractal configuration on
the whole [5].
There are linear self-similarity when there is a small copy of the whole, and nonlinear - when
the part is a deformed similar part of the whole [6]. Self-similarity can be partially or
regularly changing, which is a result of the complex internal structure of the fractal. Important
characteristics of a fractal system are its iterativeness (reiteration of an algorithm) and
recursiveness (final results of each cycle are the initial data for the next).

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Ye. V. Nikolayeva [5] differentiates the following fractals:

1. Linear fractals, resulting from multiple successive transformations of geometric nature. An
example of such fractal can be a nesting doll.
2. Nonlinear fractals which are formed digitally by means of iterative computation and
visualization of values of power complex functions. For example, the Mandelbrot set.
3. Stochastic fractal a fractal, in which not an exact but approximate, statistical similarity
takes place. Its algorithm comprises random variations. Such kind of fractals are almost all
socio-cultural phenomena.
4. Multifractals are complex fractal structures which can be obtained by means of some
successive algorithms. As a result, inside of the multifractal there several different patterns
with different fractal dimensions are formed. It should also be noted that any system,
regardless of its generation algorithm and self-reproduction at different levels, can have a
multifractal character.
5. Cultural fractals, representing a fractal reproduction of symbolic meanings. A cultural
fractal contains configuration of all the essential characteristics of its culture, - notes
Australian scientist P. Downton, correlating a cultural fractal with the urban environment. -
The city is the most comprehensive fractal demonstration of civilization as a larger whole
[5]. American ethno-mathematician R. Iglesh mentions about such cultural fractals. He points
to the ratio of geometric similarity of geometric fractals of ancient African cities and various
artifacts and practices of traditional culture of Africa [6]
If culture is understood in a broad sense, the cultural fractal will imply the reproduction of a
certain conceptual schema, the idea of culture in all subsystems of culture and then these
fractals are appropriate to be called conceptual [7]. It is worth noting that similarity of the
conceptual fractal has not a mathematical expression but is manifested in the form of a similar
notions, concepts, mental constructs. Fractal patterns relating to a particular conceptual fractal
are, firstly, of different types, and, secondly, of different systems of signs and have different
terms [8].

Methods
The use of methodological tools of system-synergetic approach to the study of image of the
state can be quite productive and promising in view of the fact that the image acts as a
complex system in which the effect is often unamenable to prediction.
One of the modern trends of system-synergetic approach is a fractal theory, the founder of
which is B. Mandelbrot.
The basic concepts of the theory of fractals are very convenient to describe social phenomena.
Motion through the scales allows us to understand the principle of the whole fractal - that is to
see the simple in the complex, the regular in the chaotic, the monotonous in the diverse. The
models created via fractal geometry visually demonstrate non-linearity, paradox of self-
organizing processes and structures.
It is also necessary to note the methodological importance of the concept of fractals of V. E.
Voitsekhovich, in which he distinguishes three stages in the evolving material system-

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process conditionally calling them beginning, middle stage and end, where a fractal is
just middle stage.
Nikolayeva Ye. V. offers her own classification of the fractals, among which she highlights
the conceptual fractals. According to the author, it is this kind of fractals to be the most useful
for the analysis of image of the state.

Results
Interaction in society is a complex interdependent system that has the features of self-
organization and self-development, which allows us to turn to the study of social phenomena
and image of the state from the standpoint of the theory of self-organization, in particular.
Image of the state is not a strictly structured object in this methodological context. This
complex, non-linear, multi-level system has open borders. Such conceptual-categorical
network is particularly relevant in today's socio-cultural environment. Image of the state can
be interpreted as a conceptual fractal due to a number of its features.
Firstly, image of the state is a synergy of two information flows: organized (power structures
that produce initial patterns) and information flow of self-organization (society and external
environment that produce response patterns). These flows form a network of feedback loop by
means of which recursive-iterative interaction occurs - cyclic causality [9]. The states image
is an open circular dynamic fractal system in which two information flows are in mutually
casual relations, demonstrating network conjugation.
Secondly, the process of building image of the state has an essentially incomplete character.
The image can be related rather to the category of formation than to the category of being.
That is, it is quite difficult to indicate stable, certain, timeless constants of the image. Its
formation is a balancing between order and chaos, building pattern structures that are the
result of synergistic effects generated by the information flows of two types - controllable and
uncontrollable.
V. E. Voitsekhovich [10], referring to the evolving financial process system, identifies three
stages in it, conditionally calling them beginning, middle stage and end. If we consider
the fact that the beginning and the end are extreme stable conditions of the process, the
middle stage is the fractal as a transition unstable process. And despite its variability, it is
the fractal that has a real existence, while the beginning and the end are nothing more
than abstractions, fractal limit states. The system goes through several stages of development,
each stage itself, in turn, could grow into a complete organism. All this is a fractal.
Thus, variability of fractals can be also defined as a continuous formation. Any fractal is a
realization of an algorithm, a set of procedures that have the character of consecutive multiple
and sometimes infinite repetitions - iterations. In this case the result of the previous iteration
is an initial value of a new cycle. As a result, fractal is not a non-frozen form, but an infinite
process of new regeneration of the form [5]. In consideration of the mentioned above, it
becomes apparent that the image of the state is a permanently lasting middle stage.
Thirdly, the states image, as a conceptual fractal, contains in its structure recursive elements
(patterns) that belong to different semiotic systems, social and cultural practices. However,
their diversity and heterogeneous nature are not an obstacle to the process of fractal iteration
that occurs in feedback loops. In other words, image of the state, as an example of the fractal

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concept, has the feature of nonlinear self-similarity. At the same time, self-similarity of image
of the state is achieved, as a rule, not as a result of the powerful establishment of rules and
principles creating an organized information flow, but owing to the changes that are self-
organized around the initial pattern. Consequently, we obtain a system that, on the one hand,
retains the base of the structure, and on the other one, is in a continuous state of
transformation and change due to fractal motion.
Hence, it implies the third feature of image of the state as a conceptual fractal - its principal
decentric quality. Fractality provides a consistent generation, development, change and
correlation of all actors, their overall activity forms a complex decentered image integrity.

Discussion
It should be remembered that like any mathematical concept, fractal is first of all an
abstraction, a theoretical model of the reality that allows you to represent the main tendencies
of developing reality in a rough outline [11]. Using the metaphor of fractals in the research
discourse in many cases is not simply a change of illustrative line, but a change of perception
of the essence of the phenomena. The new metaphor allows to differently summarize existing
data, differently represents the functional relations between the facts, differently describes the
dynamics of the processes [12].
Moreover, as rightly observes Russian philosopher V. V. Tarasenko [13], the author of
several books on fractal logic and semiotics, there is an intersubjective practice of scientific
application of the category. He also suggests denoting the way of creating narratives,
concepts, cognitive cultural practices to have been developed in the world IV the world of
media and digital culture by the term of fractal narrative.
Thus, fractal geometry allows to create the models that visually demonstrate nonlinearity,
paradoxicality of self-organizing processes and structures.
V. E. Voitsekhovich [3] defines a fractal system as arising from germ - the development
algorithm, the bearer of genetic information about the system. Germ is a structure that
contains a closely packed huge information and potential energy, which gives an impulse to
the system development. The information contained in germ includes all possible paths,
trajectories, methods of the system development - all its fractal evolution, from beginning to
end. The energy also allows an embryo-germ of the system to transfer it from the potential
state to the actual one, enables the system to arise as such.
In this sense, chaos is treated as being not outside the system but within it; it is not a
dangerous destabilizing factor. This is a necessary potential of the system of self-
development, which can be successfully controlled by the system. So, the fractal theory
creates a new interpretation of chaos; fractal thus becomes an instrument of subjugation of
chaos, detection of future systemacy in more amorphous, shapeless state.
Modern scientific literature does not give us enough functional understanding of fractal for
the social-humanitarian knowledge. Many authors interpret it too loosely, and often there is
an attempt to describe the results of a fractal process but not itself. And we are interested in
the very fractal and fractal process proper in respect to the interpretation of image of the state.

Summary

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Image of the state as a conceptual fractal has a number of features that distinguish it from
other similar entities. They are:
- nonlinear self-similarity. At various levels of the structure of image of the state its
characteristics appear with certain deformations, reflecting the presence of certain
independent entity in each fractal. At the same time, inside the structure there are deep
relations, which allows us to speak about its systemic unity;
- two-stream synergy. Unlike traditional fractal, image of the state, in addition to the flow of
information through internal channels, must receive signals from an external information field
for its development and recursive-iterative interaction;
- incompleteness in principle. Image of the state is always a process of establishment rather
than a complete structure. It is also obvious that this type of structure can exist eternally, not
increasing in scale, but not breaking through, but only being permanently modified.

Conclusion
In summary, we note that the use of system-synergetic paradigm in socio-humanitarian sphere
creates the possibility of creating new models, technologies and tools for studying of the
analyzed construct. This methodology can significantly update the theoretical and
methodological foundations for the study of socio-cultural phenomena in accordance with the
current stage of development of scientific knowledge.
Fractal is an operational concept that visually represents the idea of infinite establishment,
incompleteness, procedurality of such socio-cultural phenomenon as image of the state.
The analyzed fractal structure - image of the state - is characterized as complex, multi-
dimensional, multi-component and dynamic.

Acknowledgements
The work is performed according to the Russian Government Program of Competitive
Growth of Kazan Federal University.

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