The self-similar science system

A system with a self-similar property is scale-independent and statisticall y exhibits that property at all levels of observation. In addition, a power law describes the distribution of a scale-independent property. Many inves tigators have observed social activities and structures, particularly in th e science system, that are best described by a power-law distribution. Howe ver, unlike classical physical power laws that are used in the design of co mplex technical systems, social power laws are not used to develop social p olicy. Using the science system as a model social system and peer-reviewed publications and citations to these papers as the data source we will demon strate the existence of two power law distributions that are then used to p redict the existence of two additional power laws. In fact, it will be show n that in four UK sectoral, six OECD national, a regional and the world sci ence systems the Matthew effect can be described by a power-law relationshi p between publishing size (papers) and recognition (citations). The exponen t of this power law is 1.27 +/- 0.03, it is constant over time and relative ly independent of system size and nationality. The policy implications of t hese robust self-similar social properties as well as the need to develop s cale-independent policy are discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All r ights reserved.