Society Vs Community
Difference between Society and Community
Society is a group of people with a common territory and culture, interacting with one another
while community is a group of people living in the same place or having a particular
characteristic in common. This is the basic difference between society and community.
The main difference between society and community is that the society is built upon
interactions with varied people whereas the community is the collection of people with
similar interests, essentially residing in one geographic place.
The individual is the basic component of both community and society. Society is a collection of
different communities. Thus, different communities make the fundamental building block of
society. Likewise, society makes the building block of a country. Hence, both community and
society are necessary elements in sociology and humanities. They demonstrate human
characteristics, interactions and connections with one another.
What is a Society?
Sociology defines society as “a group of people with a common territory, interaction,
and culture. These groups consist of two or more varied people who interact and identify
themselves with one another. In brief, these groups can be known as communities as well.
The etymology of the word society can be traced back to Latin. The Latin word sociatas, which
in turn was derived from the noun socius. Socius means, comrade, friend, or ally; this describes a
bond or interaction between parties that are friendly, or at least civil.
What is a Community?
The etymology of the word community can be traced back to the Latin word communitas, which
means shared in common and public spirit. Hence, community is a group of people living in the
same place or having a particular characteristic or a likeness in common.
Thus, there is no distinct diversity among them; they share common characteristics such as
religion, language, caste, age, sex, family and kinship, profession, and, residence. Therefore,
homogeneity acts as a core element in a community.
Relationship between Society and Community
Different communities of same culture and territory collectively make a society.
The individual is the basic component of both community and society.
Relationship between Crime and Society
Crime and society, they both exist in society, and their relation is dependent on each
other. Crime is always committed in society as it is the society which labels particular act
as crime or not. And where there is society, crime is likely to happen because of social conflict
and other factors as explained above.
Relationship between Crime and Community
Increased crime has been shown to have a dramatic effect on social fabric, or the
interpersonal relations between members of a community, because crime creates fear. The
more that people are aware of crime, the more that they tend to fear becoming victims of crime.
Why is the criminal justice system important to society and community?
The purpose of the criminal justice system should therefore not be just to arrest, prosecute and
punish criminals. The system as a whole should have a greater purpose – to prevent crime and
to create a peaceful, law-abiding society and community.
Conclusion
Society and community are two basic elements in sociology. They are, therefore, inter-related
concepts. Nevertheless, there is a difference between society and community based primarily on
its members, their interactions, locality, etc. Hence, the main difference between society and
community is that society is built upon interactions with varied people whereas community is the
collection of people with similar interests essentially residing in one geographic place.
References
https://www.enotes.com/
http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/
https://www.sociologyguide.com/
https://www.bartleby.com/
