In addition to and in connection with analyses from both systems theory and evolution theory, the theory of society needs a third footing, viz, a theory of symbolically generalized media of communication. The present paper attempts to sketch a number of starting points from which to construct a theory of this kind. Its fundamental problem is to be found in the transmission of accomplished selective effects. This problem may be solved by way of a binary coding of specific preferences. Transmission is not problematical, except in particular situations, for which special codes of very different kinds have been elaborated. Truth, love, property/money, and power/law are the main meaning structures in relation to which codes have been formed that are proven evolutionary successful. These codes are compared to one another with respect to such general properties as their symbolical structures, their environmental relationships, and the conditions for increasing their efficiency.