Society
A society is a group of people participating in continuous social connection, or a broad social
group occupying the same social or spatial territory, normally exposed to the same political
power and dominant cultural standards. Society consists of people who have decided to work
together through mutual advantage.
Meaning and Definition of Society The roots of the term society can be traced to the Latin
word socius which means companionship or friendship. Aristotle stated centuries ago man is
a social animal, it brings into focus that man always lives in the company of other people.
Society has become an essential condition for human life to continue. Herein, we will discuss
some of the views of the social thinkers who had on society and how they have perceived the
same.
A society is generally conceived of as a human group which is relatively large, relatively
independent or self-perpetuating in demographic terms, and which is relatively autonomous
in its organization of social relations. But it is the relativity of each society’s autonomy,
independence and self-perpetuating nature which is the crucial factor, and the distinction of
one society from another is often arbitrary.
We can sum up the definitions of society into two types –
1. Functional definition -society is defined as a complex of groups in reciprocal
relationships, interacting upon one another, enabling human organisms to carry on
their life-activities and helping each person to fulfill his wishes and accomplish his
interests in association with his fellows
2. Structural definition- Society is the total social heritage of folkways, mores and
institutions; of habits, sentiments and ideals.
Characteristics of Society According to McIver, “society is a web of social
relationships”, (McIver, 1931: 6) which may be of several types. McIver says, “society
means likeness”. Therefore, likeness is an essential prerequisite of society. The sense of
likeness was focused in early society on kinship, that is, real or supposed blood
relationships. In modern societies, the conditions of social likeness have broadened out in
the principle of nationality of one world.
Society also implies difference. Society also implies difference and it depends on the
latter as much as on likeness. A society based exclusively on likeness and uniformity is
bound to be loose in socialites. All our social systems involve relationships in which
differences complement one another, for e.g., family rests upon the biological difference
between sexes. Besides the difference in sex there are other natural differences of
aptitude, of interest of capacity. While difference is necessary to society, difference by
itself does not create society, difference subordinate to likeness.
In addition to likeness, interdependence is another essential element to constitute
society. Family, one of the important units of society with which we all are closely
associated, is based on the biological interdependence of the sexes. None of the two sexes
is complete by itself and therefore, each seeks fulfillment by the aid of the other. This
interdependence is both extensive as well as intensive.
Lastly, cooperation is also essential to constitute society. Without cooperation no society
can exist. Unless people cooperate with each other, they cannot live a happy life. All
social institutions rest on cooperation. The members in social institutions cooperate with
one another to live happily and joyfully. Cooperation avoids mutual destructiveness and
results in economy. For want of cooperation the entire fabric of society may collapse.
relation of mother and child, for example, is revealed in their attitude towards each other.
It is this social fact and not the biological fact which constitute society.
Sociologist Gerhard Lenski based on the level of technology, communication and
economy had differentiated societies into:
a) hunters and gatherers,
b) simple agricultural,
c) advanced agricultural
d) industrial, and
e) special (e.g. fishing societies or maritime societies).
In order of increasing size and complexity, there are bands, tribes, chiefdoms, and state
societies. Societies may also be organised according to their political structure. These
structures may have varying degrees of political power, depending on the cultural
geographical, and historical environments.
