GE ELEC 2 | GENDER AND SOCIETY

WHAT IS SOCIETYT?
A grouping of individuals, which is
characterized by common interest
and may have distinctive culture and
institutions. (New World Encyclopaedia)
Human beings are inherently and essentially social
creatures, with the desire and need to be in close contact
with (others and environment). Beginning with the
family, human life is one medium for interdependence
and sharing of physical, mental, and spiritual items. While
conflict both within and between societies has been the
perennial feature of human history, all societies strive to
maintain harmony within (to ensure the happiness and
safety of their members) and, at least in more recent
times, many now seek harmony among diverse
personalities in efforts to establish a more sensitive and
tolerant society
ORIGIN OF SOCIETY
The term society emerged in the
fifteenth century and is derived from
the French société. The French word
had its origin in the Latin societas
which means a friendly association
with others.
SOCIETY VS. CULTURE

Society and Culture are similar concepts,

but their scopes are different. A society is
a complex whole with interdependent
parts, while culture is an attribute
characteristic of a community, the
complex web of shifting patterns that
link individuals together.
SOCIETY VS. CULTURE

Clifford Geertz suggested that society is

the actual arrangement of social
relations while culture consists of beliefs
and symbolic forms.
SOCIETY VS. CULTURE

Culture or civilization, taken in its wide

ethnographic sense, is that complex whole
which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals,
law, custom, and any other capabilities and
habits acquired by man as a member of
society (Edward Burnett Tylor, 1871)
SOCIETY VS. CULTURE

In the study of social sciences, society has

been used to mean a group of people that
form a semi-closed social system, in which
most interactions are with other individuals
belonging to the group.
Social scientist differentiate societies based on a
variety of factors. Gerhard Lenski, a sociologist,
differentiates societies into four levels based on
their level of technology, communication, and
economy:

1. Hunters and Gatherers

2. Simple Agricultural
3. Advanced Agricultural
4. Industrial Durkheim, 1982
This is somewhat similar to the system earlier
developed by anthropologists Morton H. Fried, a
conflict theorist, and Elman Service, an
integration theorist, who produced a system of
classification for societies in all human cultures
based on the evolution of social inequality and
the role of state.
SYSTEM OF CLASSIFICATION
Hunter-Gatherer Bands, which are generally egalitarian
(unrestricted/free).

Tribal Societies, in which there are some limited

instances of social rank and prestige.

Chiefdoms, stratified structures led by chieftains.

Civilizations, with complex social hierarchies and

organized, institutional goverments.
Societies consist minimally of a large extended family,
and generally as a groups of families connected either
by kinship or by geopolitical factors (location,
resources, common enemies and so forth). Over time,
some cultures progressed toward more complex forms
of organization and control. This cultural evolution has a
profound effect on patterns of community. Hunter
gatherer tribes settled around seasonal food supplies
eventually become agrarian villages. Village grew to
become towns and cities. Cities turned into city-states
and nation-states (Effland, 1998). Ultimately, there is the
level of all humanity, humankind.
The fundamental unit of human society is the
family, (Margaret Mead, 1965), based on her
anthropological research, affirmed the centrality
of the family in human society, The following are
prominent or common types of society:
Simplest form of human society.
Generally consists of a small kinship group, often
no larger than an extended family or small clan.
Have very informal leadership; the older members
of the band generally are looked to for guidance
and advice, but there are none of the written laws
and law enforcement like that seen in more
complex societies.
Customs are almost always transmitted orally.
Formal social institutions are few or non-existent.
Religion is generally based on family tradition,
individual experience, or counsel from a shaman.
A band can cease to exist if only a small group
walks out.
Many tribes are in fact sub-divided into bands, in
the United States, for example, many Native
American tribes are made up of official bands living
in specific locations.
A group of people united by kinship and descent, which is
defined by perceived descent from a common ancestor.
Even if actual lineage patterns are unknown, clan members
nonetheless recognize a founding member or "apical
ancestor."
As kinship based bonds can be merely symbolic in nature,
some clans share a "stipulated" common ancestor, which is a
symbol of the clan's unity: When this ancestor is not human,
this is referred to a totem.
Kinship differs from biological relation, as it also involves
adoption, marriage, and fictive genealogical ties.
Clans can be most easily described as sub-groups of tribes and
usually constitute groups of seven to ten thousand people.
Consists of a social group existing before the development of, or
outside of, states, though some modern theorists hold that
"contemporary" tribes can only be understood in terms of their
relationship to states.
Often loosely used to refer to any non-Western or indigenous
society.
A social division within a traditional society consisting of a group of
interlinked families or communities sharing a common culture and
dialect.
It was replaced with the designation "ethnic group," which defines
a group of people of common ancestry and language, shared
cultural history, and an identifiable territory.
Term used for recognized Native American governments in the
United States.
A human population whose members identify with
each other, usually on the basis of a presumed
common genealogy or lineage.
United by common cultural, behavioral, linguistic, or
religious practices.
In this sense, an ethnic group is also a cultural
community.
This term is preferred over tribe, as it overcame the
negative connotations that the term tribe had
acquired under colonialism.
5. CHIEFDOM
A chiefdom, in
Antropology is a
sociopolitical
organization, where a
single person is in
charge of political and
economic power.
 5. CHIEFDOM
Robert Carneiro defined Chiefdom
as "An autonomous political unit
comprising a number of villages or
communities under the permanent
control of a paramount Chief"
 5. CHIEFDOM
Robert Carneiro defined Chiefdom
as "An autonomous political unit
comprising a number of villages or
communities under the permanent
control of a paramount Chief"
 5. CHIEFDOM
Robert Carneiro defined Chiefdom
as "An autonomous political unit
comprising a number of villages or
communities under the permanent
control of a paramount Chief"
 MANA
Chiefdom are endowed with
mana, a supernatural power
that gives right to rule. The
mana also gave the chiefs the
power to redistribute goods.
All goods were allocated to the
chief, who would then decide
how to distribute them among
the people
In anthropological theory,
one model of human social
development describes
chiefdom as form of social
organization more complex
than a tribe and less
complex as a state
 An example of this kind of Social
Organization would be the Germanic people
who conquered the Western Roman empire
in the Fifth century C.E

- The Maori of New Zealand: A chiefdom in New Zealand

- The Kwakwaka'wakw of British Columbia:

A chiefdom in British Columbia

- The Zulu of South Africa: A chiefdom in South Africa

- The Tlingit: A chiefdom in the North West Coast

- The Kwakiutl: A chiefdom in the North West Coast

6. STATE
A State is a political
association wih effective
dominion over a
geographic area that
governs a large
population.
6. STATE
Max Weber's definition of state, is "a monopoly
on the legitimate use of physical force within
a given territory"
 City State on the other hand, city-state, Political
system consisting of an independent city with
sovereignty over a fixed surrounding area for
which it served as leader of religious, political,
economic, and cultural life.The term was coined in
the 19th century to describe ancient Greek and
Phoenician settlements
1. EVOLUTIONARY
Evolutionary theories propose that societies
undergo gradual transformations from
simplicity to complexity over time. Early
sociologists, starting with Auguste Comte,
posited a unilinear progression of human
societies, where social change signified
advancement towards improvement.
2. POLITICAL
A system was establish as necessary
measure for their protection. Leaders were
selected and social norms were imposed.

“Human is really a political being in nature”

3. ECONOMICAL
People on the other hand are undeniably,
most produce to address and sustain
essential needs of the now and next
generations. Hence, the acceleration for
production is imperative to answer the
increasing demand of human in society