What do you understand by society? …

Definition of society: society is a system of usage and procedures of authority and mutual aid,of many grouping and divisions of control of human behaviour and of liberties. It is the web of social relationship. It is always changing. Characteristics of society 1- definite territory : society is a territorial group. 2-progeny : the members of a society came by means of human reproduction within the group of people 3- culture: society is always culturally sufficient 4- independence: society is permanent commerce self-contained and an integrated group. The Members of the group are in the independent.

1. Definition of Society: Society is a web of social relationship. It is group of people who share a common culture, occupy a particular territorial area and feel themselves a unified and distinct entity.

II. Major Characteristics of Society: Despite the

variations in our understanding of society, the fact

remains that it is central concept in sociology. Characterization of society can be provided in terms of

certain traits.

Harry M. Johnson enlists the following characteristics: (i) Definite territory, (ii) Progency, (ii) Culture and, (iv) Independence

A brief description of each trait is given below:

1. Definite Territory: (a) A society is a territorial group. Some nomadic societies move about within a much larger territory than they occupy at any one time, but they regard the whole range as "their" country.

(b) There are of course, territorial groups within societies, for instance, claus, neighbourhoods, political outfits, cities, countries, etc.

2. Progency: (a) Members form every society. They are recruited in different ways also. But in a large number, the members of a society come by means of human reproduction within the group of people.

(b) Several societies also obtain members by adoption,

enslavement, conquest or immigration. But reproduction

within the group itself remains a fundamental source of

new members, in fact progeny is the most important

trait of society.

3. Culture : (a) A Society has a 'Comprehensive' culture in the sense that it is culturally self-sufficient. For instance, a society can carry on trade with other societies, but the cultural patterns involved in the trade are a part of the culture of the society itself.

The means of payment and the forms of contracts are culturally patterned.

(b) A comprehensive culture can have sub-cultures as well. For example we can

take the case of our own country. The Indian people have a comprehensive culture which gives them an identity. We have a common culture, a family system, a set of religious communities, linguistic entities, village communities, and above all history of shared pains and pleasures. The sub-cultures are, for instance, Rajasthan culture, Punjabi culture, Assami culture, etc.

(c) Bear in mind each sub-culture is characterised by its

respective characteristics. For good mutual relations

and harmony we should not try disturb any sub

culture.

4. Independence: The fourth and last trait of society is independence. It refers that a further characteristic of a society is that it is a sub-group of any other. We may define "Society" as such as permanent self contained and an integrated group.