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Man and Society
Man and Society
MAN AND SOCIETY Unit I Concept of Society. Individual and Society. Basic Elements- Group, Community, Institution and Association- - Complexity of African Society - Demographic Characteristics of African Society. Page | 1 Demographic variables and Malthusian Theory. Concept of Society: The term society is the most fundamental one in sociology. We speak of the cooperative society, the agricultural society, the society of Jesus etc. Society means no more than an association. The term society is derived from the Latin word socius which means companionship or friendship. Companionship means sociability. As George Simmel points out, it is the element of sociability which defines the true essence of society. It indicates that man always lives in the company of other people. Man is a social animal said Aristotle centuries ago. Man lives in towns, tribes, cities, villages, but never alone Loneliness brings him boredom and fear. Man needs society for his living. Society has become an essential condition of human life. Definition: According to MacIver Society is a system of usages and procedures, of authority and mutual aid, of many groupings and divisions, of controls of human behaviour and of liberties. According to Cooley Society is a complex of processes each of which is living and growing by interaction with the others, the whole being so unified that what takes place in one part affects all the rest. Characteristics of Society: 1. Society consists of people:. Without students and teachers there can be no college or university. Similarly without people there can be no society, no social relationships and no social life at all. 2. Mutual Interaction and Mutual Awareness: Society is a group of people in continuous interaction with one another It refers to the reciprocal contract between two or more persons. An individual is the member of the society as long as he engages in relation with the other members of the society. It means that individuals are in continuous interaction with other members of the society. Social interaction is made possible by mutual awareness. Without this awareness there can be no society.
3. Society depends on likeness: The principle of likeness is essential for society. Likeness refers to similarities. People have similarities with regard to their needs, work, aims, ideals, etc. Comradeship, intimacy, association of any kind or degree would be impossible without some understanding of each other and that understanding depends on likeness which each apprehends in the other. 4. Society rests on differences too: Society also implies difference. A society based entirely on likeness or uniformities is bound to be loose in sociality. If all men were exactly alike their relationships would be very much limited. There would be little reciprocity. More than that life becomes boring and monotonous if differences are not there.
v. Permanency Page | 4 A community is not transitory like a crowd. It essentially includes a permanent life in a definite place. v. Naturality Communities are not made or created by an act of will but are natural. An individual is born in a community. vi. Likeness In a community there is a likeness in language, customs, mores etc. A community is a cluster of people living within a narrow territorial radius, who share a common way of life. vii. Wider ends In communities the people associate not for the fulfilment of a particular end. The ends of a community are wider. These are natural and not artificial. viii. Particular name Every community has some particular name. it points identity, it indicates reality, it points out individuality, it often describes personality and each community is something of a personality. ix. No legal status A community is not a legal person. It cannot sure, nor can it be used. In the eyes of law, it has no rights and duties. Association: Men have diverse needs, desires, interests and ends which demand their satisfaction. They have three ways of fulfilling their ends. Firstly they may act independently, without bothering about others. Secondly, men may seek their ends through conflicts with one another. Finally men may try to fulfil their needs through cooperation and mutual assistance. This cooperative pursuit has a reference to association. Definition: According to MacIver An association is an organisation deliberately formed for the collective pursuit of some common interest or a set of interests which its members share. Characteristics of Association: 1. Association a human group: An association is formed or created by people. It is basically a social group. Without people there can be no association. However all groups are not associations, because an association is an organised group. 2. Common interest or interest: An association is not merely a collection of individuals. It consists of those individuals who have more or less the same interests.
3. An association does not necessarily imply spatial aspects. 4. An association may be stable and long and long lasting or it may not be so 5. Associations may have their legal status. 6. Associations have their own rules and regulations to regulate the relations of its members. The may be either written or unwritten 7. Association is partial. It may be regarded as a part of the community. 4. A community is relatively more stable and permanent. 5. A community has no legal status. 6. A community regulates the behaviours of its members by means of customs, traditions, etc. It does not have written rules or laws. 7. Community is integral. It may have within its boundaries several associaltions.
Institutions: The concept of institutions is one of the most important in the entire field of sociology. Institutions are regarded as the organs that conserve what is best in the past of the human race. Definition: Ms. Tresa Sugirtha, B.S.W., M.S.W DMI ST. EUGENE UNIVERSITY, LUSAKA, ZAMBIA.
Page | 7 Difference between association and institution: Association An association is a group of people organised for the purpose of fulfilling a need or needs Institution Institution refers to the organised way of doing things. It represents common procedure.
Association denotes membership. We belong to Institution denotes only a mode or means of associations, to political parties, trade unions, service. We do not belong to institution. We do youth clubs, families, etc. not belong to marriage, property education or law Associations consists of individuals Associations are concrete An institution consists of laws rules and regulations. Institutions are abstract.
An association has a location; it makes sense to An institutions does not have locations. The ask where it is. Thus the family can be located in question where it is does not make any sense at a space. all. We cannot locate marriage, etc. Associations are mostly created or established Institutions are primarily involved
An association may have its own distinctive Institutions do not possess a specific name, but name. has a structure and may have a symbol. Associations may be temporary or permanent. Institutions are relatively more durable.
Groups: Group is one of those terms in common usage lack exactness. We use the word group to mean such groups as family group, kin group, racial group and so on. Even in sociology the word group is not used consistently by sociologists. Definition: According to MacIver and Page social group is any collection of human beings who are brought into relationships with one another. According to Bogardus social group is a number of persons, two or more, who have common objects of attention, who are stimulating to each other, who have common loyalty and participate in similar activities. Characteristics of a social group: 1. Collection of individuals: Social group consists of people. Without individuals there can be no group.
An artificial creation Membership is voluntary Page | 9 Group is always organised Has a specific purpose Marked by cooperation Group may be temporary
A natural growth Membership is compulsory Society may be unorganised General purposes Marked by both cooperation and conflict Society is permanent
Difference between group and institution: Group Group is a collection of human beings Group is an artificial creation Group may be temporary Institution Institution is a set of folkways and mores Institution is a natural growth Institution is comparatively permanent
Difference between group and community: Group Group is an artificial creation Group is formed to realise some specific purpose or purposes Membership voluntary Group is temporary of the group is Community Community is a natural growth Community includes a whole circle of life Membership compulsory in a community is
comparatively
Types of groups: Social groups have been classified in various ways. The German sociologists Simmel considered size as a criterion for classification of groups. Since person, that is the individual with is societal conditions is the most elementary unit of sociology he began with the nomad- the single person as a focus of group relationships and pursued with the dyad and the triad. Dwight Sanderson suggested a three fold classification of social groups by structure. He classified them into involuntary, voluntary and delegated groups. A involuntary group is based on kinship such as family. A man has no choice to what family he belongs. A voluntary group is the one in which a Ms. Tresa Sugirtha, B.S.W., M.S.W DMI ST. EUGENE UNIVERSITY, LUSAKA, ZAMBIA.
The population density in Zambia increased from 7.5 people per square kilometre in 1980 to 10.4 in 1990 and 13.7 in 2000. The average density in 2000 ranged from 65 people per square kilometre in Lusaka province to 5 people per square kilometre in North-Western province. In addition to being the most densely populated provinces, Lusaka and Copperbelt are also the most urbanised. The decline in the economy has gradually reduced the proportion of the population in urban areas. The proportion of the population living in urban areas has decreased steadily from 40 percent in 1980 to 38 percent in 1990 and 36 percent in 2000. The proportion of the urban population varies by province, from 91 percent in Copperbelt province to 9 percent in Eastern province (CSO, 2002b).
Ethnic groups African 98.7%, European 1.1%, other 0.2% Page | 16 Religions Christian 75%, traditional beliefs 23%, small Muslim and Hindu groups Languages English (official), major vernaculars - Bemba, Kaonde, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja, Tonga, and about 70 other indigenous languages (Ambo - Aushi - Bisa - Chikunda - Cishinga - Chokwe - Gova Ila - Inamwanga - Iwa - Kabende - Kosa - Kunda - Kwandi - Kwandu - Kwangwa - Lala - Lamba Lenje - Leya - Lima - Liyuwa - Luano - Lucazi - Lumbu - Lundwe - Lungu - Lunda - Makoma Mambwe - Mashasha - Mashi - Mbowe - Mbukushu - Mbumi - Mbunda - Mbwela - Mukulu Mulonga - Ndembu - Ng'umbo - Nkoya - Nsenga - Nyengo - Nyiha - Sala - Seba - Senga - Shanjo Shila - Simaa - Soli - Subiya - Swaka - Tabwa - Tambo - Toka - Totela - Tumbuka - Twa - Unga Wandya - Yombe) Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write English total population: 80.6% male: 86.8% female: 74.8% (2003 est.) total population: 78.2% male: 85.6% female: 71.3% (1995 est.) Demographic Variables: Population and Demographic Variables Humans throughout history have generally favored large familiesfor the most part to assure survival of a particular family line or racial group. High death rates from plagues, predators, and wars led people to produce as many offspring as possible. However, the situation has changed dramatically in the 20th century as technological advances of one sort or another have caused a global population explosion, with the world currently gaining 90 million people each year (most of this increase in poorer countries). Given this trend, the global population will exceed 6 billion in the early 2000s, and 8 billion by the 2020s. Understandably, sociologists around the world exhibit urgent concern about increases in the global population. Demography (from the Greek word meaning description of people) is the study of human populations. The discipline examines the size and composition of populations, as well as the movement of people from locale to locale. Demographers also analyze the effects of population growth and its control. Ms. Tresa Sugirtha, B.S.W., M.S.W DMI ST. EUGENE UNIVERSITY, LUSAKA, ZAMBIA.
Primary theory: the axioms The power of population is indefinitely greater than the power in the earth to produce subsistence for man. Population, when unchecked, increases in a geometrical ratio. Subsistence increases only in an arithmetical ratio. A slight acquaintance with numbers will show the immensity of the first power in comparison with the second. [22] Secondary theory: the consequences Yet in all societies, even those that are most vicious, the tendency to a virtuous attachment is so strong that there is a constant effort towards an increase of population. This constant effort as constantly tends to subject the lower classes of the society to distress and to prevent any great permanent amelioration of their condition. [23] The way in which, these effects are produced seems to be this. We will suppose the means of subsistence in any country just equal to the easy support of its inhabitants. The constant effort towards population... increases the number of people before the means of subsistence are increased. The food therefore which before supported seven millions must now be divided among seven millions and a half or eight millions. The poor consequently must live much worse, and many of them be reduced to severe distress. The number of labourers also being above the proportion of the work in the market, the price of labour must tend toward a decrease, while the price of provisions would at the same time tend to rise. The labourer therefore must work harder to earn the same as he did before. During this season of distress, the discouragements to marriage, and the difficulty of rearing a family are so great that population is at a stand. In the mean time the cheapness of labour, the plenty of labourers, and the necessity of an increased industry amongst them, encourage cultivators to employ more labour upon their land, to turn up fresh soil, and to manure and improve more completely what is already in tillage, till ultimately the means of subsistence become in the same proportion to the population as at the period from which we set out. The situation of the labourer being then again tolerably comfortable, the restraints to population are in some degree loosened, and the same retrograde and progressive movements with respect to happiness are repeated. [24] Malthus also saw that societies through history had experienced at one time or another epidemics, famines, or wars: events that masked the fundamental problem of populations overstretching their resource limitations: The power of population is so superior to the power of the earth to produce subsistence for man, that premature death must in some shape or other visit the human race. The vices of mankind are active and able ministers of depopulation. They are the precursors in the great army of destruction, and often finish the dreadful work themselves. But should they fail in this war of extermination, sickly seasons, Ms. Tresa Sugirtha, B.S.W., M.S.W DMI ST. EUGENE UNIVERSITY, LUSAKA, ZAMBIA.
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This train of thought counterpoints Malthus's stand on public assistance to the poor. He proposed the gradual abolition of poor laws by gradually reducing the number of persons qualifying for relief. Relief in dire distress would come from private charity. [29] He reasoned that poor relief acted against the longer-term interests of the poor by raising the price of commodities and undermining the independence and resilience of the peasant.[citation needed] In other words, the poor laws tended to "create the poor which they maintain".[30] It offended Malthus that critics claimed he lacked a caring attitude towards the situation of the poor. He wrote in an addition to the 1817 edition: I have written a chapter expressly on the practical direction of our charity; and in detached passages elsewhere have paid a just tribute to the exalted virtue of benevolence. To those who have read these parts of my work, and have attended to the general tone and spirit of the whole, I willingly appeal, if they are but tolerably candid, against these charges ... which intimate that I would root out the virtues of charity and benevolence without regard to the exaltation which they bestow on the moral dignity of our nature...[31] Some, such as William Farr[32] and Karl Marx,[33] argued that Malthus did not fully recognize the human capacity to increase food supply. On this subject Malthus wrote: "The main peculiarity which distinguishes man from other animals, is the means of his support, is the power which he possesses of very greatly increasing these means.[citation needed]
Socialization is a continuous process: Socialization is the process of inducting the individual into the social world. It consists in teaching culture which he must acquire and share. Socialization is social learning. This learning is not intermittent but continuous. The more we try to learn the more remains to be learnt. Perfection in social learning is rarely achieved. The process of socialization is something that continues throughout our lives. Man belongs to different groups at different stages of his life. As these groups change one must learn new rules and new patterns of behaviour. Moreover one does not remain in the same role. As Ms. Tresa Sugirtha, B.S.W., M.S.W DMI ST. EUGENE UNIVERSITY, LUSAKA, ZAMBIA.
5. State The state is an authoritarian agency. It makes lose for the people and lays down the modes of conduct expected of them. The people have compulsorily to obey these laws. If they failed to adjust their behaviour in accordance with laws of the state they may be punish for such failure. Thus the state also moulds our behaviour. Sociology ch. No 39 p.no 759 Culture: Concepts Definition: According to Tylor Culture is that complex whole which includes knowledge, beliefs, art, morals, law, custom and any other capabilities acquired by man as a member of the society. According to Graham Wallas Culture is an accumulation of thoughts, values and objects, it is the social heritage acquired by us from preceding generations through learning, as distinguished from the biological heritage which is passed on to us automatically through the genes. Characteristics of culture: Pg no 762 Culture is a system of learned behaviour shared by and transmitted among the members of the group. By picking up the culture and by tapping the heritage of the past, man becomes distinctively human. The following are the characteristics of culture: 1. Culture is an acquired quality: Culture is not innate. Traits learned through socialization, habits and thoughts are what is called culture. Culture is learned. Any behaviour which is socially acquired is called learned behaviour. 2. Culture is social, not individual heritage of man: It is inclusive of the expectations of the members of the group. It is a social product which is shared by most of the members of the group. 3. Culture is idealistic: Culture embodies the ideals and norms of a group. It is a sum total of the ideal patterns and trhe norms of behaviour of a group. It is the manifestation of the human mind in the course of history. 4. Culture is the total social heritage: Culture is linked with the past. The past endures because it lives in culture. It is passed from one generation to another through customs and traditions. 5. Culture fulfils some needs: Culture fulfils some social and ethical needs of the groups which are ends in themselves. Ms. Tresa Sugirtha, B.S.W., M.S.W DMI ST. EUGENE UNIVERSITY, LUSAKA, ZAMBIA.
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