Concept Of Society

Definition of society. Occupation Interaction Sense of membership

Society is a group of

interacting individuals sharing the same territory and participating in common culture.

Basic features of a society.  society is universal having no boundary or limits.  family is the force of biological interdependence

of society. Society is the mutual interaction of individuals. It is

invisible. Active cooperation is the back bone of the society.

Liberty is regulated through the mutual

agreement of individuals. Likeness of members is the essential pre-requisite for society.

Origin of society. There are three theories explaining the origin

of society. Social contract theory. Organic theory. Group mind theory.

Social contract theory. Society is based on some original contracts

between the individuals. Society was formed to protect man against it’s

unbridled nature. Society was evolved to maintain a state of peace

and justice in nature.

Organic theory. Society is a biological system. Society is an animal body. Industrial and agricultural systems are the

nutritional systems of the society. Individual persons are the cells of the society. Communication and transport are the heart, veins

and arteries of the society.

Criticism Society has an abstract phenomenon whereas

human body has a definite form. Individuals can work in an organic manner where as

a body cell can not.

Group mind theory Society is an embodiment of an absolute mind. State is the higher form of the individual, which

gives meaning to it.

conclusion Obedience, loyalty, kinship, authority, order and

expediency of faith are impatient elements of society on which the prosperity of society relies.

Social structure. The nature of society is based on the social

structure. It is an organized relationship between the basic

components of the society. It makes society workable in an orderly manner. The most important constituents of the society are

the groups, statuses, roles and institutions.

groups Group is an aggregate of individuals playing

interrelated roles. The characters of a social group are understanding,

cooperation, unity, relations. Groups can be primary and secondary. Primary group consists of a small number of people.

Interaction is for a relatively long period. Interaction is informal. e.g.. Families, group of friends.  secondary group consists of people who interact in

a temporary manner. These groups know each other in a particular

formal roles. Secondary groups are formed to serve a specific

purpose.

statuses The well defined position of an individual in the

society is known as the status. It determines whether a person fits in the society,

and his relations. Status is achieved at the time of birth. It can be changed.

roles Set of approved and expected behavior patterns

consisting of both duties and privileges. Performance of a conspicuous part of a task is a

role.

institutions Every society needs a vast complex institutions

such as education, family, religion, property etc. Institutions meets fundamental requirements and

provides a satisfying life to the individuals. Family is the strongest institution.

Types of societies. Different societies has used different subsistent

strategies while exploiting the food resources. Societies applying more productive approach has

always superseded the primitive society.

Based on the food gathering societies can be classified into five groups. Hunting gathering and tribal societies. Pastoral societies Horticultural societies Agricultural societies Industrial societies

Hunting and gathering societies consists of very

small groups. They live in primary groups. They require large territories to support

themselves.  their requirements are less and easily satisfied. They work less as compared to other societies.

They keep on moving from area to area as soon as

they have exhausted the resources. Their social structure is simple. The family is only defined institution in these

societies. warfare is absolutely uncommon among these people.

Pastoral societies are outcome of gathering and

hunting societies. They are indulged in raring herds of animals

domestically. These people find food directly from these animals. This society is more productive than the hunters. They are nomadic and carry their herds to new

grazing grounds.

They carry easily transportable items along with

them. They believe in gods who take active interest in

human affairs. A few religions such as Christianity, Judaism and

Islam originated among the pastoral societies.

Horticultural societies originated at the same time as

the pastorals, but they lead more settled life as compared to the them. They move periodically but to a short distance. They are specialized in domestication of plants. Their strategy is based on slash and burn technology.

It is quite effective and supply surplus amount of

food. It is affected by emergence of roles and status. Warfare is quite common in these kind of societies.

Agricultural societies believe in obtaining the food from

the land on a large scale. The use of plough greatly increases the productivity of

the land, as it brings the surface nutrients sunk out of the reach of the roots. The use of animal power increases the productivity

several times.

The potential size of this society is more then

horticultural and pastoral society. The wealth is unevenly distributed with a small majority

of people enjoy the surplus produce by working society. Power is concentrated in the hands of a single

individual. Money is used as a medium of exchange. Trade is more elaborate.

The industrial mode of production began in England

250 years ago. Proved quite successful and spread all over the

world effectively. Application of scientific knowledge to the

technology of production is the basis industrial societies. This system allows small proportion of population

to feed the majority.

This society enables new energy sources to be

harnessed and permitting machines to do the work.

Features of industrial societies. Emergence of modern families. Powerful economic institutions. Domination of management and division of labor in

factories. Social mobility and change of status prevails. More economic avenues for women.

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PRESENTED BY :ANISH VERMA NITIN KAPIL 

UTKARSH GAUTAM ASHISH AGRAWAL ARPIT JAIN B. ARCH. (B.C.T.) V SEMESTER 

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