Society is a dynamic system of arguments. Society as a complex system

SOCIETY

Society and nature

Culture and civilization

The most important institutions of society

society- this is a certain group of people

Can be defined society and how big



society and nature.

Society and nature

culture

1. “Exactly

the question arose about legal protection of nature .

Legal protection of nature

.

.

Public relations

play an important role in the functioning of society public relations. This concept refers to the diverse connections that arise between social groups, classes, nations, as well as within them in the process of economic, social, political, cultural life and activity.

Material social relations are formed in the sphere of production, in the course of practical activity. Material relations are divided into production, environmental and office relations.

spiritual relationship are formed as a result of the interaction of people in the process of creating and disseminating spiritual and cultural values. They are divided into moral, political, legal, artistic, philosophical and religious social relations.

A special type of social relations are interpersonal(i.e. relationships between separate individuals).

Evolution and revolution

There are two main ways of change - evolution and revolution. Evolution comes from the Latin word for "unfolding" -

they are slow, constant changes in a previous state. Revolution(from the Latin turn, change) is a change in all or most aspects of public life, affecting the foundations of the existing social order.

At first glance, revolution differs from evolution only in the rate of change. However, in philosophy there is a point of view about the relationship between these two phenomena: the growth of quantitative changes in development (evolution) eventually leads to a qualitative change (revolution).

In this regard, the concept of evolution is close to the evolutionary path in social development. reform. Reform- this is a transformation, reorganization, a change in any aspect of social life that does not destroy the foundations of the existing social structure.

Reforms in Marxism were opposed to political revolution, as an active political action of the masses, leading to the transfer of leadership of society into the hands of a new class. At the same time, revolutions were always recognized as a more radical and progressive way of transformation in Marxism, and reforms were viewed as half-hearted, painful for the masses, transformations, which in the majority were allegedly due to the potential threat of revolution. Revolutions are inevitable and natural in a society where timely reforms are not carried out.

However, political revolutions usually lead to great social upheaval and casualties. Some scientists generally denied the possibility of creative activity to revolutions. Thus, one of the historians of the 19th century compared the Great French Revolution with a hammer, which only broke the old clay molds, opening the already cast bell of the new social system to the world. That is, in his opinion, a new social system was born in the course of evolutionary transformations, and the revolution only swept away the barriers for it,

On the other hand, history knows reforms that led to fundamental changes in society. F. Engels, for example, called the "revolution from above" Bismarck's reforms in Germany. The reforms of the late 80s - early 90s can also be considered a “revolution from above”. XX century, which led to a change in the existing system in our country.

Modern Russian scientists have recognized the equivalence of reforms and revolutions. At the same time, revolutions were criticized as extremely inefficient, bloody, full of numerous costs and leading to dictatorship. Moreover, great reforms (i.e. revolutions from above) are recognized as the same social anomalies as great revolutions. Both of these ways of resolving social contradictions are opposed to the normal, healthy practice of "permanent reform in a self-regulating society."

Both reforms and revolutions treat an already neglected disease (the first - by therapeutic methods, the second - by surgical intervention. Therefore, constant innovation- as a one-time improvement associated with an increase in the adaptability of society to changing conditions. In this sense, innovation is like preventing the onset of a disease (i.e., a social contradiction). Innovation in this regard refers to the evolutionary path of development.

This point of view comes from opportunities for alternative social development. Neither the revolutionary nor the evolutionary path of development can be accepted as the only natural one.

Culture and civilization have long been identified. However Culture and civilization

already in the 19th century, the scientific meaning of these concepts differed. And at the beginning of XX

century, the German philosopher O. Spengler in his work “The Decline of Europe”

and completely opposed them. Civilization appeared to him as the highest stage of culture, on which its final decline takes place. Culture is a civilization that has not reached its maturity and has not ensured its growth.

The differences between the concepts of "culture" and "civilization" were also emphasized by other thinkers. So, N. K. Roerich reduced the difference between culture and civilization to the opposition of the heart to the mind. He associated culture with the self-organization of the spirit, the world of spirituality, and civilization - with the civil, social structure of our life. Indeed, the word "culture" goes back to the Latin word meaning cultivation, cultivation, processing. However, the word upbringing, veneration, as well as cult (as worship and veneration of something) also goes back to the same root (cult-). The word "civilization" comes from the Latin civilis - civil, state, but the word "citizen, resident of the city" also goes back to the same root.

Culture is the core, the soul, and civilization is the shell, the body. P.K. Grechko believes that civilization fixes the level and result of the progressive development of society, and culture expresses the mechanism and process of mastering this level - the result. Civilization equips the earth, our life, makes it convenient, comfortable, pleasant. Culture is “responsible” for the constant dissatisfaction with what has been achieved, the search for something unattainable, worthy, first of all, of the soul, and not of the body. Culture is a process of humanization of social relations, human life, while civilization is their gradual but steady technologization.

Civilization cannot exist without culture, because the system of cultural values ​​is the feature that distinguishes one civilization from another. However, culture is a polysyllabic concept, it includes the culture of production, material relations and political culture and spiritual values. Depending on which sign we single out as the main criterion, the division of civilizations into separate types also changes.

Types of civilization

Depending on their concept and the criteria put forward, various researchers offer their own versions of the typology of civilization.

Types of civilizations

However, in the journalistic literature, the division into civilizations is widely established. Western (innovative, rationalistic) and Eastern (traditional) type. Sometimes so-called intermediate civilizations are added to them. What features characterize them? Let's take a look at the following table as an example.

Main features of traditional society and Western society

traditional society Western society
The “continuity” of the historical process, the absence of clear boundaries between individual eras, sharp shifts and shocks History moves unevenly, in “leaps”, gaps between eras are obvious, transitions from one to another often take the form of revolutions
Inapplicability of the concept of linear progress Social progress is quite obvious, especially in the sphere of material production
The relationship of society to nature is based on the principle of merging with it, and not dominating it. Society seeks to maximize the use of natural resources for its needs
The basis of the economic system is community-state forms of ownership with a weak development of the institution of private property The basis of the economy is private property. The right to property is seen as natural and inalienable
The level of social mobility is low, the partitions between castes and estates are not very permeable The social mobility of the population is high, the social status of a person can change significantly throughout life
The state subjugates society, controls many aspects of people's lives. The community (state, ethnic group, social group) has priority over the individual A civil society emerged, largely autonomous from the state. Individual rights are a priority and are constitutionally enshrined. Relationships between the individual and society are built on the basis of mutual responsibility.
The main regulator of social life is tradition, custom Readiness for change, innovation is of particular value.

Modern Civilizations

Currently, there are different types of civilizations on Earth. In the remote corners of the planet, the development of a number of peoples still retained the features of a primitive society, where life is entirely subordinate to the natural cycle (Central Africa, Amazonia, Oceania, etc.). Some peoples in their way of life have retained the features of eastern (traditional) civilizations. The influence of post-industrial society on these countries is reflected in the growth of crisis phenomena and the instability of life.

Active promotion of the values ​​of the post-industrial society by the media, raising them to the rank of universal values ​​causes a certain negative reaction from traditional civilizations, seeking not only to preserve their values, but also to revive the values ​​of the bygone past.

Thus, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, etc. are referred to the Arab-Islamic civilization. Between individual Islamic countries and even within these countries, the struggle between supporters of rapprochement with Western civilization and Islamic fundamentalists is intensifying. If the former allow the expansion of secular education, the rationalization of life, the widespread introduction of modern achievements in science and technology, then the latter believe that the basis (foundation) of all spheres of life are the religious values ​​of Islam and take an aggressive position in relation to any innovations and borrowings from Western civilization.

India, Mongolia, Nepal, Thailand, etc. can be attributed to the Indo-Buddhist civilization. The traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism prevail here, and religious tolerance is characteristic. In these countries, on the one hand, economic and political structures characteristic of an industrial society have developed, on the other hand, a significant part of the population lives by the values ​​of a traditional society.

The Far East Confucian civilization includes China, Korea, Japan, etc. The cultural traditions of Taoism, Confucianism and Shintoism prevail here. Despite the traditions that have been preserved, these countries have been drawing closer in recent years to developed Western countries (especially in the economic sphere).

To what type of civilizational development can Russia be attributed? In science, there are several points of view on this matter:

Russia is a European country and Russian civilization is close to the Western type, although it has its own characteristics;

Russia is an original and self-sufficient civilization that occupies its own special place in the world. This is neither Eastern nor Western, but Eurasian civilization, which is characterized by superethnicity, intercultural exchange, supranational nature of spiritual values;

Russia is an internally split, "pendulum" civilization, which is characterized by a constant confrontation between western and eastern features. In its history, cycles of rapprochement with Western and Eastern civilizations are clearly marked;

To determine which point of view is more objective, let us turn to the characteristics of Western civilization. Researchers believe that within it there are several local civilizations (Western European, North American, Latin American, etc.). Modern Western civilization is a post-industrial civilization. Its features are determined by the consequences of the scientific and technological revolution (NTR), which took place in the 60-70s. XX century.

Global problems

The global problems of mankind are called problems concerning all people living on Earth, on the solution of which not only further social progress depends, but also the fate of all mankind.

Global problems appeared in the conditions of the scientific and technological revolution in the second half of the twentieth century, they are interconnected, cover all aspects of people's lives and concern all countries of the world without exception.

We list the main problems and show their relationship with each other.

The threat of a thermonuclear catastrophe is closely interconnected with the threat of nuclear war, as well as man-made disasters. In turn, these problems are interconnected with the threat of a third world war. All this is connected with the depletion of traditional sources of raw materials and the search for alternative forms of energy. Failure to resolve this problem leads to an ecological catastrophe (depletion of natural resources, environmental pollution, food problem, lack of drinking water, etc.). The problem of climate change on the planet is acute, which can lead to catastrophic consequences. The ecological crisis, in turn, is connected with the demographic problem. The demographic problem is characterized by a deep contradiction: in developing countries there is an intensive population growth, and in developed countries there is a demographic decline, which creates enormous difficulties for economic and social development.

At the same time, the “North-South” problem is aggravating, i.e. contradictions are growing between developed countries and developing countries of the “third world”. The problems of protecting health and preventing the spread of AIDS and drug addiction are also becoming increasingly important. The problem of the revival of cultural and moral values ​​is of great importance.

After the events in New York on September 11, 2001, the problem of combating international terrorism sharply escalated. The next innocent victims of terrorists can be residents of any country in the world.

In general, the global problems of mankind can be schematically represented as a tangle of contradictions, where from each problem various threads stretch to all other problems. What is the a strategy for the survival of mankind in the face of exacerbation of global problems? The solution of global problems is possible only through the joint efforts of all countries coordinating their actions at the international level. Self-isolation and peculiarities of development will not allow individual countries to stay away from the economic crisis, nuclear war, the threat of terrorism or the AIDS epidemic. To solve global problems, overcome the danger that threatens all of humanity, it is necessary to further strengthen the interconnection of the diverse modern world, change interaction with the environment, abandon the cult of consumption, and develop new values.

In preparing this chapter, materials from the following tutorials were used:

  1. Grechko P.K. Introduction to social science. – M.: Pomatur, 2000.
  2. Kravchenko A. I. Social science. - M .: "Russian Word - RS" - 2001.
  3. Kurbatov V.I. Social science. - Rostov-on-Don: "Phoenix", 1999.
  4. Man and Society: Textbook on social science for students in grades 10-11 / Ed. L.N. Bogolyubova, A.Yu. Lazebnikova. M., 2001
  5. Lazebnikova A.Yu. Modern school social science. Questions of theory and methodology. - M .: School - Press, 2000.
  6. Klimenko A.V., Rumynina V.V. Exam in social studies: Notes of answers. – M.: 2000.
  7. Social science. 100 examination answers./Ed. B.Yu. Serbinovsky. Rostov-on-Don.: "Mar.T", 2000.

SOCIETY

Society as a dynamic system

Society and nature

Culture and civilization

The relationship of economic, social, political and spiritual spheres of society

The most important institutions of society

Variety of ways and forms of social development

The problem of social progress

The integrity of the modern world, its contradictions

Global problems of mankind

The concept of "society" is ambiguous. In its original meaning, it is a kind of community, union, cooperation, association of individuals.

From a sociological point of view society- this is a certain group of people, united by common interests (goal) for joint activities (for example, a society for the protection of animals or, conversely, a society of hunters and fishermen).

The historical approach to understanding society is associated with the allocation a specific stage in the historical development of a people or of all mankind(for example: primitive society, medieval society, etc.).

The ethnographic meaning of the concept "society" focuses on ethnic characteristics and cultural traditions of a certain population of people(eg: Bushmen Society, American Indian Society, etc.).

Can be defined society and how big a stable group of people occupying a certain territory, having a common culture, experiencing a sense of unity and considering themselves as a completely independent entity(for example, Russian society, European society, etc.).

What unites the above interpretations of society?

  • society consists of individuals with will and consciousness;
  • You can't call a society just a certain number of people. People are united in society by joint activities, common interests and goals;
  • any society is a way of organizing human life;
  • The connecting link of society, its framework, are the connections established between people in the process of their interaction (public relations).

Society as a complex dynamic system

In general, a system is a collection of interconnected elements. For example, a pile of bricks cannot be called a system, but a house built from them is a system where each brick takes its place, is interconnected with other elements, has its own functional significance and serves a common goal - the existence of a durable, warm, beautiful building. But a building is an example of a static system. After all, a house cannot improve, develop by itself (it can only collapse if the functional connections between the elements - bricks) are broken.

An example of a dynamic self-developing system is a living organism. Already in the embryo of any living organism, the main features are laid, which, under the influence of the environment, determine the essential aspects of changes in the organism throughout life.

Similarly, society is a complex dynamic system that can exist only by constantly changing, but at the same time retaining its main features and qualitative certainty.

There is also a broad, philosophical point of view on society.

Society is a form of organization of individuals that has arisen in opposition to the environment (nature), lives and develops according to its own objective laws. In this sense, society is a set of forms of unification of people, a “collective of collectives”, all of humanity in its past, present and future.

Based on this broad interpretation, let us consider the relationship society and nature.

Society and nature

Both society and nature are part of the real world. Nature is the basis on which society has arisen and develops. If nature is understood as the whole of reality, the world as a whole, then society is part of it. But often the word "nature" refers to the natural habitat of people. With this understanding of nature, society can be regarded as a part of the real world that has become isolated from it, but society and nature have not lost their relationship. This relationship has always existed, but has changed over the centuries.

Once upon a time in primitive times, small societies of hunters and gatherers were completely dependent on the cataclysms of nature. Trying to protect themselves from these cataclysms, people created culture, as the totality of all the material and spiritual values ​​of society that have an artificial (i.e., not natural) origin. Below we will talk more than once about the diversity of the concept of “culture”. Now we emphasize that culture is something created by society, but opposite to the natural environment, nature. So, the manufacture of the first tools of labor, the skills of making fire are the first cultural achievements of mankind. The appearance of agriculture and cattle breeding is also the fruits of culture (the word culture itself comes from the Latin “tillage”, “cultivation”).

1. “Exactly because of the dangers that nature threatens us, we have united and created a culture designed, among other things, to make our social life possible. - wrote Z. Freud. “After all, the main task of culture, the true rationale, is to protect us from nature.”

2. With the development of cultural achievements, society was no longer so dependent on nature. Wherein society did not adapt to nature, but actively changed the environment, transforming it in its own interests. This change in nature has led to impressive results. Let us remember thousands of species of cultivated plants, new species of animals, drained swamps and flowering deserts. However, society transforming nature, exposing it to cultural influence, was often guided by momentary benefits. So, the first environmental problems began to arise in antiquity: many species of plants and animals completely disappeared, most of the forests in Western Europe were cut down in the Middle Ages. In the 20th century, the negative impact of society on nature became especially noticeable. Now we are talking about an ecological catastrophe, which can lead to the destruction of both nature and society. That's why the question arose about legal protection of nature .

The protection of the natural environment is understood as the preservation of its quality, which makes it possible, firstly, to preserve, protect and restore the healthy state and integrity of the Earth's ecosystem, and secondly, to preserve the biological diversity of the planet.

Environmental law deals with the legal protection of nature. Ecology (from the word “ekos” - home, residence; and “logos” knowledge) is the science of the interaction of man and society with the natural habitat.

The environmental legislation of the Russian Federation includes a number of provisions of the Constitution, 5 federal laws on environmental protection, 11 natural resource legislation, as well as decrees of the President of the Russian Federation, decrees of the Government of the Russian Federation, etc.

Legal protection of nature

So in the Constitution of the Russian Federation in Art. 42 speaks of the right of every person to a favorable environment, to reliable information about its condition. Article 58 speaks of the obligation of everyone to preserve nature and the environment, to take care of the natural resources of Russia.

The federal laws “On Environmental Protection” (1991), “On Ecological Expertise” (1995), “On Protection of Atmospheric Air” (1999), etc. are devoted to the legal protection of nature. Attempts are being made to conclude an international treaty on the protection of nature. On December 12, 1997, the International Protocol on the Control of Industrial Waste Emissions into the Atmosphere (Kyoto Protocol) was signed in Kyoto.

Thus, the relationship of nature, society and culture can be described as follows:

society and nature in interconnection form the material world. However, society separated itself from nature, creating culture as a second artificial nature, a new habitat. However, even having protected itself from nature by a kind of boundary of cultural traditions, society is not able to break ties with nature.

V. I. Vernadsky wrote that with the emergence and development of society the biosphere (the earthly shell covered by life) passes into the noosphere (the area of ​​the planet covered by intelligent human activity).

Nature still has an active impact on society. So, A. L. Chizhevsky established the relationship between the cycles of solar activity and social upheavals in society (wars, uprisings, revolutions, social transformations, etc.). L. N. Gumilyov wrote about the impact of nature on society in his work “Ethnogenesis and the Biosphere of the Earth”.

The relationship of society and nature we see in a variety of ways. So, improvement of agrotechnical methods of soil cultivation results in higher yields, but an increase in air pollution from industrial waste can lead to the death of plants.

Society is a complex dynamic system.

Section 1. Social science. Society. Man - 18 hours.

Topic 1. Social science as a body of knowledge about society - 2 hours.

General definition of the concept of society. The essence of society. Characteristics of social relations. Human society (man) and the animal world (animal): distinctive characteristics. The main social phenomena of human life: communication, knowledge, work. Society as a complex dynamic system.

General definition of the concept of society.

In a broad sense society - it is a part of the material world isolated from nature, but closely connected with it, which consists of individuals with will and consciousness, and includes ways of interacting people and forms of their unification.

In a narrow sense society can be understood as a certain group of people united for communication and joint performance of any activity, as well as a specific stage in the historical development of a people or country.

The Essence of Society is that in the course of his life, each person interacts with other people. Such diverse forms of human interaction, as well as connections that arise between different social groups (or within them), are commonly called public relations.

Characteristics of social relations.

All social relations can be conditionally divided into three large groups:

1. interpersonal (socio-psychological), by which is understood relationships between individuals. At the same time, individuals, as a rule, belong to different social strata, have different cultural and educational levels, but they are united by common needs and interests in the sphere of leisure or everyday life. The well-known sociologist Pitirim Sorokin identified the following types interpersonal interaction:

a) between two individuals (husband and wife, teacher and student, two comrades);

b) between three individuals (father, mother, child);

c) between four, five or more people (the singer and his listeners);

d) between many and many people (members of an unorganized crowd).

Interpersonal relations arise and are realized in society and are social relations even if they are in the nature of purely individual communication. They act as a personified form of social relations.

2. material (socio-economic), which arise and take shape directly in the course of a person's practical activity, outside the consciousness of a person and independently of him. They are divided into production, environmental and office relations.

3. spiritual (or ideal), which are formed, preliminary “passing through the consciousness” of people, are determined by their values ​​that are significant for them. They are divided into moral, political, legal, artistic, philosophical and religious social relations.

The main social phenomena of human life:

1. Communication (mostly emotions are involved, pleasant / unpleasant, I want);

2. Cognition (mostly intellect involved, true/false, I can);

3. Labor (mainly the will is involved, it is necessary / not necessary, must).

Human society (man) and the animal world (animal): distinctive characteristics.

1. Consciousness and self-consciousness. 2. Word (2nd signal system). 3. Religion.

Society as a complex dynamic system.

In philosophical science, society is characterized as a dynamic self-developing system, that is, such a system that is capable of seriously changing, at the same time retaining its essence and qualitative certainty. The system is understood as a complex of interacting elements. In turn, an element is some further indecomposable component of the system that is directly involved in its creation.

To analyze complex systems, like the one that society represents, scientists have developed the concept of "subsystem". Subsystems are called "intermediate" complexes, more complex than the elements, but less complex than the system itself.

1) economic, the elements of which are material production and relations that arise between people in the process of production of material goods, their exchange and distribution;

2) socio-political, consisting of such structural formations as classes, social strata, nations, taken in their relationship and interaction with each other, manifested in such phenomena as politics, state, law, their correlation and functioning;

3) spiritual, covering various forms and levels of social consciousness, which, being embodied in the real process of the life of society, form what is commonly called spiritual culture.

In accordance with the point of view widespread among sociologists, society is a complex dynamic system. What does this definition mean? What characterizes society as a dynamic system?

  • study of the term "dynamic system";
  • study of practical examples reflecting the legitimacy of the considered definition of society.

Let's study them in more detail.

What does the term "dynamic system" mean?

Dynamic, or dynamic system, is originally a mathematical term. In accordance with the widespread theory within the framework of this exact science, it is commonly understood as a set of elements whose position in the phase space changes over time.

Translated into the language of sociology, this can mean that society as a dynamic system is a set of subjects (people, communities, institutions), whose status (type of activity) in the social environment changes over time. How valid is this statement?

In general, it fully reflects social reality. Each person acquires new statuses over time - in the course of education, socialization, by virtue of achieving legal personality, personal success in business, etc.

Communities and institutions also change, adapting to the social environment in which they develop. Thus, state power can be characterized by a greater or lesser level of political competition, depending on the specific conditions of the country's development.

The term in question contains the word "system". First of all, it assumes that the corresponding elements, characterized by dynamic features, play a stable role. So, a person in society has civil rights and obligations, and the state is responsible for solving problems "at the macro level" - such as protecting borders, managing the economy, developing and enforcing laws, etc.

There are other important features of the system. In particular, it is self-sufficiency, a kind of sovereignty. With regard to society, it is able to express itself in the presence of all the institutions necessary for its functioning: law, state power, religion, family, production.

The system, as a rule, is characterized by such a property as self-control. If we talk about society, these can be mechanisms that ensure the effective regulation of certain social processes. Their development is carried out at the level of the noted institutions - in fact, this is their main role.

The next indicator of consistency is the interaction of some of its constituent elements with others. Thus, a person communicates with society, institutions, and individuals. If this does not happen, then the society is simply not formed.

It can be concluded that society as a dynamic system is characterized by the following main properties:

  • there is a change in the status of its constituent elements over time;
  • there is sovereignty, realized due to the presence of formed key social institutions;
  • self-governance is realized, thanks to the activities of social institutions;
  • there is a constant interaction of the elements that make up society.

Let us now consider how the dynamism of society can be traced through practical examples.

The dynamism of society: practical examples

Above, we noted that a person is able to change, mastering new knowledge and skills, or, for example, achieving success in business. Thus, we have identified one of the practical examples of dynamism in society. In this case, the corresponding property characterizes a person as an element of society. It becomes a dynamic subject. Similarly, we cited as an example the changes that characterize the activities of state power. The subjects of political management are also dynamic.

Societal institutions may also change. Among the most revealing areas, which are characterized by a very intense dynamism, is law. Laws are constantly being corrected, supplemented, repealed, returned. It would seem that such a conservative institution as the family should not change much - but this is also happening. Polygamy, which has existed for centuries in the East, may be significantly influenced by Western monogamous traditions and become an exception to the rule in those countries where it is traditionally perceived as part of the cultural code.

The sovereignty of society, as we noted above, is formed as key social institutions are formed. In addition, as soon as they appeared, dynamism begins to acquire a system.

A person gets the opportunity to change, acting independently of people belonging to other societies. The state can adjust the mechanisms of organizing political management without consulting, relatively speaking, with the metropolis and other entities that can potentially influence the adoption of certain decisions by the authorities. The country's legal system may begin to regulate certain social relations based on their local specifics, and not under the influence of foreign trends.

It's one thing to have sovereignty. Another thing is to use it effectively. State, legal, public institutions must function correctly - only in this way will sovereignty be real, and not formal. And only under this condition, society as a dynamic system will acquire a fully systemic character.

The criteria for the quality of the work of the relevant elements of society can be very different.

So, as for the institution of law, it should be characterized by: relevance (laws should not lag behind current social processes), universal validity (equality of citizens before legislative provisions), transparency (people need to understand how certain norms are adopted, and, if possible, - participate in the legislative process).

The institution of the family should function in the interests of at least the majority of people who make up society, and ideally, all citizens. Moreover, if the dissimilarity of certain guidelines is assumed - for example, monogamy and polygamy, then other social institutions (law, state) should contribute to the peaceful coexistence of people who consider themselves adherents of the relevant principles.

And this shows the mutual influence of the elements that form society. Many of the subjects cannot play their role in society without interacting with others. Key public institutions are always interconnected. State and law are elements that constantly carry out communications.

Man also acts as a social subject. If only because he communicates with other people. Even if it seems to him that he does not do this, some derivatives of personal communications will be used. For example, living on an uninhabited island and reading a book, a person, perhaps without knowing it, "communicates" with its author, accepting his thoughts and ideas - literally or through artistic images.

The concept of society covers all spheres of human life, relationships and relationships. At the same time, society does not stand still, it is subject to constant changes and development. We learn briefly about society - a complex, dynamically developing system.

Society features

Society as a complex system has its own characteristics that distinguish it from other systems. Consider the identified by different sciences traits :

  • complex, multi-layered

The society includes different subsystems, elements. It can include various social groups, both small ones - the family, and large ones - the class, the nation.

Public subsystems are the main areas: economic, social, political, spiritual. Each of them is also a kind of system with many elements. So, we can say that there is a hierarchy of systems, that is, society is divided into elements, which, in turn, also include several components.

  • the presence of different quality elements: material (technology, facilities) and spiritual, ideal (ideas, values)

For example, the economic sphere includes transport, facilities, materials for the manufacture of goods, and knowledge, norms, and rules in force in the sphere of production.

  • main element is man

Man is a universal element of all social systems, since he is included in each of them, and without him their existence is impossible.

TOP 4 articleswho read along with this

  • constant change, transformation

Of course, at different times the rate of change changed: the established order could be maintained for a long time, but there were also periods when there were rapid qualitative changes in social life, for example, during revolutions. This is the main difference between society and nature.

  • order

All components of society have their own position and certain connections with other elements. That is, society is an ordered system in which there are many interconnected parts. Elements may disappear, new ones appear instead, but in general the system continues to function in a certain order.

  • self-sufficiency

Society as a whole is capable of producing everything necessary for its existence, therefore each element plays its role and cannot exist without others.

  • self-management

Society organizes management, creates institutions to coordinate the actions of different elements of society, that is, creates a system in which all parts can interact. The organization of the activities of each individual and groups of people, as well as the exercise of control, is a feature of society.

Social institutions

The idea of ​​a society cannot be complete without knowledge of its basic institutions.

Social institutions are understood as such forms of organizing the joint activities of people that have developed as a result of historical development and are regulated by the norms established in society. They bring together large groups of people engaged in some kind of activity.

The activity of social institutions is aimed at meeting the needs. For example, people's need for procreation gave rise to the institution of family and marriage, the need for knowledge - the institution of education and science.

Average rating: 4.3. Total ratings received: 214.

Society is a system .

What is a system? “System” is a Greek word, from other Greek. σύστημα - whole, composed of parts, connection.

So, if it is about society as a system, it means that society consists of separate, but interconnected, complementary and developing parts, elements. Such elements are spheres of public life (subsystems), which, in turn, are a system for their constituent elements.

EXPLANATION:

Finding an answer to a question about society as a system, it is necessary to find an answer that contains elements of society: spheres, subsystems, social institutions, that is, parts of this system.

Society is a dynamic system

Recall the meaning of the word "dynamic". It is derived from the word "dynamics", denoting movement, the course of development of a phenomenon, something. This development can go both forward and backward, the main thing is that it happens.

Society - dynamic system. It does not stand still, it is in constant motion. Not all areas develop in the same way. Some change faster, some slower. But everything is moving. Even a period of stagnation, that is, a suspension in movement, is not an absolute stop. Today is not like yesterday. “Everything flows, everything changes,” said the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus.

EXPLANATION:

The correct answer to the question about society as a dynamic system there will be one in which we are talking about any kind of movement, interaction, mutual influence of any elements in society.

Spheres of public life (subsystems)

Spheres of public life Definition Elements of the sphere of public life
Economic the creation of material wealth, the production activity of society and the relations that arise in the production process. economic benefits, economic resources, economic objects
Political includes relations of power and subordination, management of society, the activities of state, public, political organizations. political institutions, political organizations, political ideology, political culture
Social the internal structure of society, social groups in it, their interaction. social groups, social institutions, social interaction, social norms
Spiritual includes the creation and development of spiritual goods, the development of public consciousness, science, education, religion, art. spiritual needs, spiritual production, subjects of spiritual activity, that is, who creates spiritual values, spiritual values

EXPLANATION

The exam will be presented two types of tasks on this topic.

1. It is necessary to find out by signs what area we are talking about (remember this table).

  1. More difficult is the second type of task, when it is necessary, after analyzing the situation, to determine the connection and interaction of which spheres of public life are represented here.

Example: The State Duma adopted the law "On Competition".

In this case, we are talking about the relationship between the political sphere (the State Duma) and the economic (the law concerns competition).

Material prepared: Melnikova Vera Aleksandrovna