Quantum Field Theory as a Universal Theory of Social Systems and Evolutionary Dynamics: A Preliminary Interdisciplinary Framework 

Abstract

This paper proposes a preliminary theoretical framework that applies Quantum Field Theory (QFT) to social systems. The framework aims to elucidate the universal characteristics of complex interactions among agents within social systems and seeks to construct an analytical model with high-level integrative capacity.

The proposed model draws on three fundamental elements of QFT:

1. The concept of a field is employed to describe the dynamic structural field formed by social agents
2. Local symmetry is interpreted as the normative consistency and transformational invariance inherent in the subsystems of social interactions
3. The introduction of a gauge field corresponds to the constraining role of institutional forces on agent interactions

Through this framework, we explore the following questions:

• How do agents in a social system self-organize into stable structures through interactions?
• How do institutional constraints influence the formation and maintenance of social order?
• Do social systems exhibit characteristics akin to the "renormalization" process in field theory when responding to external perturbations?

This study further suggests that this quantum-field-inspired social model not only serves as a theoretical tool to explain the mechanisms of highly complex contemporary social interactions but also holds potential applications in diverse fields such as organizational behavior, international relations, and policymaking. Future research will focus on enhancing the mathematical rigor of the model, its applicability across scales, and its integration with empirical data.

Keywords: Quantum Field Theory, Social Physics, Collective Dynamics, Symmetry Breaking, Social Evolution Models, Quantum Cognition, Strategic Management

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1. Introduction

Amid the growing complexity, nonlinear interactions, and dynamic uncertainty in contemporary social and global economic systems, traditional social science theories are increasingly proving inadequate. To understand and address the structural evolution and internal logic of these phenomena, interdisciplinary integration has become imperative.

This paper contends that Quantum Field Theory, a cornerstone of modern physics, offers not only a "field-particle-interaction" vocabulary and logic but also a novel approach to understanding the structure and evolution of social systems. The central ambition of this paper is to extend QFT concepts to the domain of social interactions, constructing a universal, renormalizable, and strategically applicable model of social evolution by introducing core elements such as:

• "Fields and quantum excitations"
• "Group theory and symmetry breaking"
• "Non-commutative logic and quantum superposition"

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2. Theoretical Background: Mapping Physical Fields to Social Fields

2.1 Overview of Quantum Field Theory

QFT posits that all entities in the universe are excitations of underlying fields. Particles are not standalone "objects" but quantum excitation modes of these fields. Interactions occur between fields, or between excitation states and background fields, with symmetry and its breaking determining the possible types of particles and their interactions.

2.2 Analogical Construction of Social Field Theory

When we conceptualize society as a "field," individuals (or groups and institutions) can be seen as excitation states within this field. Their behaviors are constrained and shaped by the overarching social structure (field) while potentially altering the field through the feedback of collective actions. Institutional innovations and social changes can be viewed as symmetry breaking and renormalization within the social field, triggering new behavioral patterns and interaction models.

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3. Construction of a Quantum Social Field Model

3.1 Dual Description of Individual and Field States

In this model, individual choices are not binary or deterministic but exist in a "quantum cognitive state" of superposition, embodying multiple potential options. Only when observed or engaged through interactions within the social field do these states "collapse" into specific actions.

3.2 Symmetry Breaking and Social Transformation

Stable social institutions often correspond to specific symmetric structures (e.g., free markets or authoritarian regimes). However, when external perturbations (e.g., technological revolutions, global shocks, or cultural movements) exceed critical thresholds, symmetry breaking within the field may occur, leading to the emergence of new institutions, values, and behavioral patterns—analogous to phase transitions or the Higgs mechanism in physics.

3.3 Social Particle Interactions and Group-Theoretic Logic

Social interactions can be regarded as forces between different "social particles," with permissible interaction modes and intensities constrained by the structure and group symmetry of the social field. In physics, group theory (e.g., SU(n)) dictates how particles transform and combine; in social contexts, it can explain how organizations reallocate resources and form strategic alliances, particularly relevant to managerial decision-making, international relations, and network dynamics.

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4. Quantum Strategic Thinking and Integration with Social Decision-Making

This paper further introduces "quantum strategy" as a mindset for management and policymaking. Unlike traditional strategies that emphasize definitive choices and predictions, quantum strategy prioritizes:

• Retaining multiple potential options
• Designing interaction fields to guide collapse outcomes
• Leveraging "interference effects" to achieve nonlinear strategic advantages

This approach is highly adaptive to complex and uncertain social contexts.

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5. Application Scenarios and Future Research Directions

Application Area	Description
Policy Simulation and Prediction Tools	The quantum social model can simulate changes and stability in social states under varying decision-making conditions.
Organizational Innovation Dynamics	Viewing innovation as symmetry breaking within the social field can clarify the microstructure of innovation emergence and diffusion.
International Strategy and Multilateral Games	Replacing zero-sum thinking with quantum strategies may yield unconventional solutions beyond equilibrium outcomes.
AI and Social Cognitive Fields	Investigating how artificial intelligence acts as an excitation source within the social field, influencing human cognition and behavioral collapse pathways.

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6. Conclusion

As a highly abstract yet internally consistent theoretical framework, Quantum Field Theory is not only applicable to physics but, through appropriate interdisciplinary translation, can also be integrated into social sciences and humanities. Its non-deterministic, multi-state, and field-interaction perspectives offer a fresh lens for rethinking social phenomena. In the future, combining empirical data, mathematical models, and algorithmic simulations could lead to the development of a practical and predictive quantum field theory of social systems.