Understanding Culture and Society

• Culture includes knowledge, beliefs, art, law, morals, customs, and habits acquired by humans as members of society.
• Socialization is a lifelong process of identity development and learning to interact with others.
• Enculturation involves learning and acquiring one's society’s culture.
• Culture is dynamic and influenced by its location, weather, and time period. – "Man is a social animal," indicating humans naturally seek relationships.
• Society is a system of social relationships, derived from the Latin "socius," meaning companionship or friendship.
• Characteristics of society include shared culture, specific territory, mutual interactions, and interrelations.
• MacIver defined society as "a web of social relationships."
• Morris Ginsberg defined society as "a collection of individuals united by certain relations or modes of behavior."
• Lapiere defined society as referring "not to a group of people, but to the complex patterns of norms of interaction among them."
• Members of society share similarities but also exhibit differences.
• Interdependence ensures people rely on each other for survival.
• Society involves both cooperation and conflict.
• Society is based on interactions among people, forming a web of social relationships.
• Society exists beyond individual lifespans, making it permanent.
• Society is abstract, existing in relationships rather than physical form.
• Society is dynamic and changes over time.
• Society carries a comprehensive set of cultural traits.
• Society is more than a collection of individuals; it includes organized systems and institutions.

Organic Theory

• The Organic Theory compares society to a living organism, growing from simple to complex.
• Individuals are like cells, dependent on the society's well-being.
• Separation from society results in loss of purpose, similar to a detached limb.
• Unlike organisms, society lacks physical unity, therefore societies form and dissolve differently than organisms are born and die.
• Society is predominantly a social and mental construct rather than a biological entity.

Social Contract Theory

• The Social Contract Theory posits that society was formed through agreement among individuals
• Thomas Hobbes believed early humans were brutal, leading them to form societies for protection.
• John Locke believed humans were peaceful but lacked a formal justice system, prompting structured society formation.
• Jean-Jacques Rousseau claimed society emerged to address increasing social problems via agreed-upon rules.
• Society is a system of relationships and interactions sharing culture and territory.
• Culture is learned through socialization and enculturation.
• The Organic Theory views society as a living organism.
• The Social Contract Theory explains society as formed through agreements.
• Thomas Hobbes believed man is evil and naturally selfish.
• A strong government is needed to protect the public from chaos.
• The government should be all-powerful and cannot be overthrown because the people need to be controlled.
• Power is not shared; executive power is absolute.
• Idea: A strong, absolute ruler (monarchy) is necessary to maintain order. – John Locke believed man is naturally good and capable of reason.
• The government is wanted to benefit the public and protect natural rights (life, liberty, and property).
• A government’s power is conditional and can be overthrown if it fails the people.
• Shared power is shared between legislative and executive branches.
• Idea: A government should protect people’s rights, and if it doesn’t, they have the right to overthrow it (foundation of democracy).
• Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed man is good, but society corrupts people.
• Government is needed to enforce the Social Contract to ensure fairness.
• The government can be arbitrary but can also be overthrown if it does not serve the general will.
• Power is shared, and a direct democracy with direct participation by the people is needed, hence representatives are not needed.
• Idea: People should collectively rule themselves (direct democracy) rather than relying on representatives.

Key Principles of the Social Contract Theory

• The social contract is a voluntary agreement.
• Individuals give up some personal freedoms in exchange for order and stability.
• Without this agreement, society would be in chaos (Hobbes' "state of nature").
• The agreement creates a legitimate government.
• A legitimate government should protect the rights, freedom, and welfare of citizens.
• The people have the right to change or overthrow the government if it becomes oppressive (Locke).
• The social contract is based on natural law.
• Natural law includes rights (e.g., life, liberty, and property) that exist naturally.
• Governments should be based on reason, fairness, and justice.
• The social contract can be broken.
• If the government fails its duties, the contract is no longer valid.
• People can rebel, protest, or form a new government.

Criticism of the Social Contract Theory

• Society did not come into being through a contract.
• Societies evolved naturally through cooperation, not formal agreements.
• Freedom in joining society is questionable because individuals are born into it, therefore they inherit the social contract rather than agree to it.
• Critics question whether individuals create society or vice versa.
• Humans cannot fully develop without social influence, meaning society is more fundamental.

Relationship Between the Individual and Society

• Aristotle stated that "man is a social animal," thus meaning humans need social connections for survival.
• Humans cannot exist in complete isolation.
• Interaction is necessary for language, emotions, and intelligence.
• People depend on society for food, security, education, and economic opportunities.
• Survival would be difficult without society.
• Human knowledge, ideas, and culture grow within society.
• Isolation is a punishment.
• Humans need interaction to maintain well-being.
• Society ensures collective security, as alone, an individual is vulnerable.
• Society and the individual are complementary and supplementary.
• There is a constant give-and-take.
• Individuals and society are intertwined.
• Society is a system of social relationships with shared culture, interaction, and interdependence.
• Culture is the accumulation of knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, morals, customs, and habits that humans acquire in society.
• Socialization is a lifelong process of developing identity and social skills.
• Enculturation is the learning and adoption of a society's culture.
• The Organic Theory: Society is a living organism.
• The Social Contract Theory: Society is formed through agreements for safety and order.
• Humans form societies for survival through cooperation, order, and shared culture.
• Culture shapes identity, behaviors, norms, and provides guidelines and unity.
• Socialization is lifelong because people learn new behaviors at all stages.
• Societies change, thus requiring adaptation.
• Societies are dynamic as a result of changing technology, beliefs, and social structures.
• There is no exact date, but human societies have existed since prehistoric times
• Socialization begins from birth, as individuals start learning behaviors from family and society.
• Enculturation is most intense during childhood but happens throughout life.
• People become part of a society by birth, migration, or social integration.
• Socialization occurs through family, peers, education, media, and experiences.
• Societies change through technological advancements, cultural exchanges, economic shifts, and historical events.
• The Social Contact Theory claims: People agreed to governance to maintain order and safety.
• Societies exist wherever people form communities.
• Culture develops from human interactions, traditions, and environmental influences.
• Socialization takes place in families, schools, workplaces, and religious institutions.
• Herbert Spencer posited the Organic Theory; society is a living organism.
• Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau posited the Social Contract Theory; society emerged to escape chaos.
• Family, teachers, peers, media, and government institutions influence socialization.
• The Social Contract Theory is the idea that societies and governments are formed by an agreement (either implicit or explicit) among individuals.
• People give up some freedoms in exchange for protection, order, and stability under a government.
• It explains the legitimacy of government and justifies why people follow laws.
• The Social Contract Theory was developed by several political philosophers including:
  • Thomas Hobbes believed people are naturally selfish and need a strong government (absolute monarchy) to maintain order.
  • John Locke – Argued that people have natural rights (life, liberty, and property) and can overthrow a government if it violates these rights.
  • Jean-Jacques Rousseau – Stressed that the social contract should serve the common good and that government should reflect the will of the people.
• The theory emerged in the 17th and 18th centuries during the Enlightenment period, a time when philosophers were questioning absolute monarchy and advocating for democracy and individual rights.
• The idea of a social contract goes back to ancient times, including the works of Plato and Aristotle.

Applications of the Social Contract Theory

• Applied in governments since modern democracies are based on the social contract
• An example is the U.S. Constitution, which states that government derives its power from the people.
• Applied in revolutions as movements like the American Revolution (1776) and French Revolution (1789) were inspired by the idea that unjust governments can be overthrown.
• Applied in law and society because the legal system operates on a social contract where people agree to obey laws for the benefit of all.
• It explains why governments exist and why people obey laws.
• It supports democracy by emphasizing serving the people.
• It justifies revolution if a government fails to protect rights
• It highlights the balance between freedom and order.
• People agree (implicitly or explicitly) to form a society and abide by rules.
• A government is created to enforce laws and protect citizens.
• People sacrifice freedoms (e.g., paying taxes, following laws) for security and order.
• If the government fails to uphold its responsibilities, citizens have the right to rebel or replace it.

Explore the concepts of culture and society, including socialization, enculturation, and the dynamic nature of culture. Learn about the definitions of society from various sociologists and the characteristics that define it as a system of social relationships.