Society, State-Society Relations

The word ‘society’ comes from the Latin word ‘Socius’ which means a companion, organization or association. Society refers to a union where people live in a community or society and does not exist in loneliness. Society is used in the sense of a cluster too – for e.g. Rural society or urban society.

In order for society to exist, there has to be a population. Without people society cannot be shaped as society is based on a system of relationships. Society is intangible (cannot be touched) in nature.

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, ‘Society is formed by a large group of people who live together in an organized way, making decisions about how to do things, and sharing the work that needs to be done. All the people in a country, or in several similar countries, can be referred to a society’.

Characteristics of Society

Society is dynamic – Old customs, traditions, values and institutions get transformed and new customs and values take their place.

Likeness – Similarities are common. If there is not mutual recognition of belonging together, there can be no society.

Cooperation and conflict – Cooperation is essential for the formation and smooth functioning of society. Without cooperation there will be chaos and thus no society. Conflict works as a cementing factor to reinforce social relations and is necessary in a society.

Wide-ranging culture – culture is a way of life for members of a society and includes, values, beliefs, art, morals, etc.

Differences – while there are similarities, differences also enhance the social life of the people. E.g. division of labor

Inter-dependence – the survival and well-being of each member depends on the well-being of the other members of society. Man depends on his society for food, shelter, security and other needs.

Thus, society is a network of social relationships.

State-Society Relations

Department for International Development (London) defines state-society relations as ‘interactions between state institutions and societal groups to negotiate how public authority is exercised and how it can be influenced by people. They are focused on issues such as defining the mutual rights and obligations of state and society, negotiation how public resources should be allocated and establishing different modes of representation and accountability’.

Citizenship allows citizens benefits like the right to vote, to hold office, to participate in political processes, to access education, health and other benefits, to own businesses, land, security and freedom on movement.

Thus, state refers to the political dominion of legitimate compulsion (coercive) and society refers to the dominion of voluntary interaction.

State

A state is a political association that enjoys control over a definite geographical area. For example, Indian state – Government of India exercises control over all individuals, groups, associations within its geographical boundaries.

A state is also considered as any institution that can legitimately exercise force over people in a certain geographical area – for example, Indian Judiciary, Indian Police, Military, use force to establish law and order among citizens in any part of India.

Aristotle defines ‘state’ as ‘a union of families and villages having for its end a perfect and self-sufficing life by which we mean a happy and honorable life’.

Woodrow Wilson defines ‘state’ as ‘the people organized for law within a definite territory’.

Dimensions of State

1.       State is a union of different individuals, groups , families and sections of society. State provides the legal bond that holds society together.

2.       State has a purpose. State is created for a reason: to enable individuals to have a better life. If there is no state there will be lawlessness and disorder. Therefore, state establishes law and order and secures people’s basic human rights.

3.       The state comprises of four elements:

a.       Population – State exists for the people. No population, no state.

b.       Territory – State has a fixed geographical area where people reside and government exercises control.

c.       Government – State creates and executes laws so that there is order in society.

d.       Sovereignty – Government has independence of functioning i.e. free from any external or foreign influence.

4.       State institutions should command people’s obedience. People should be loyal by obeying the laws and following government policies.

5.       State should have a degree of permanence i.e. it should have secure territorial boundaries.

6.       State should have Military capabilities – Army, Navy and Air Force to defend its people and territory in case of foreign attack.

7.       State should be organized. In India we have the Constitution, a government, judiciary, public administrative system, laws and regulations.

8.       State reconciles individualism with communitarianism – it forms a balance between individual needs and community needs. For e.g. the right to speech and expressions should not be used to insult others or hurt sentiments or provoke violence.

9.       The term state can be used to imply a political sub unit – 29 states in India – Rajasthan, Maharashtra, etc.

10.   State is different from country and nation. According to Political Science, ‘country’ is referred to a geographical area, and ‘nation’ is a community of people who share a sense of belonging to each other (oneness, unity).