1.1 Discuss what is meant by the concept of social order. (3)
The term social order can be used in two senses: In the first sense, it refers to a particular system of
social structures and institutions. Examples are the ancient, the feudal, and the capitalist social order.
In the second sense, social order is contrasted to social chaos or disorder and refers to a stable state
of society in which the existing social structure is accepted and maintained by its members. The
problem of order or Hobbesian problem, which is central to much of sociology, political science, and
political philosophy, is the question of how and why it is that social orders exist at all.
1.2 Define the concept of socialism. (3)
socialism, social and economic doctrine that calls for public rather than private ownership or control
of property and natural resources. According to the socialist view, individuals do not live or work in
isolation but live in cooperation with one another. Furthermore, everything that people produce is in
some sense a social product, and everyone who contributes to the production of a good is entitled to
a share in it. Society, therefore, should own or at least control property for the benefit of all its
members. This conviction puts socialism in opposition to capitalism, which is based on private
ownership of the means of production and allows individual choices in a free market to determine
how goods and services are distributed. Socialists complain that capitalism necessarily leads to unfair
and exploitative concentrations of wealth and power in the hands of the relative few who emerge
victorious from free-market competition—people who then use their wealth and power to reinforce
their dominance in society.
1.3 Explain what is meant by the following terms and give one example of each:
a) Society (3)
A society is a group of individuals involved in persistent social interaction, or a large social group
sharing the same spatial or social territory, typically subject to the same political authority and
dominant cultural expectations. Societies are characterized by patterns of relationships (social
relations) between individuals who share a distinctive culture and institutions; a given society may be
described as the sum of such relationships among its constituent members. In the social sciences, a
larger society often exhibits stratification or dominance patterns in subgroups. Societies construct
patterns of behaviour by deeming certain actions or concepts as acceptable or unacceptable. These
patterns of behaviour within a given society are known as societal norms. Societies, and their norms,
undergo gradual and perpetual changes. So far as it is collaborative, a society can enable its
members to benefit in ways that would otherwise be difficult on an individual basis; both individual
and social (common) benefits can thus be distinguished, or in many cases found to overlap. A society
can also consist of like-minded people governed by their own norms and values within a dominant,
larger society. This is sometimes referred to as a subculture, a term used extensively within
criminology, and applied to distinctive subsections of a larger society.
b) Deviance (3)
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through EFT, credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying this summary from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller bonalesedihigh. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy this summary for R50,00. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.