Social structure and social relations - what is it?

Starting from the most primitive relations even during the primitive communal system, when the people's goal was survival, and until now human connections have undergone a number of changes. Some of them disappeared altogether, for example slavery. Others have changed. But society is still a complex social structure. And the social relations within it are the interaction of different classes, castes and strata.

Social structure

This concept is associated with the totality of all forms of relationships and relationships that are formed between different elements of society: from small groups and cells to social institutions and communities. It consists of parts that interact as a single multidimensional organism, which can be divided into 2 subgroups:

1. Composition of society. These are all kinds of components that fill it: from individual individuals and to social communities. They can be both small and large structures that are in different positions relative to each other.
2. Social institutions are the aggregate relationship of all organizations that influence or are responsible for the management of society. These include political institutions, for example parties, parliaments and the state as a whole, as well as economic ones.

The social structure and social relations within each type of institution consist of organizations and groups that are filled by specific people who are members of certain social strata. At the same time, representatives of these structures, for example the president of the country or members of parliament, can change after the next re-election. At the same time, the very "skeleton" of the presidential-parliamentary institution remains unchanged.

Ideally, with a truly democratic system, the social structure, social relations, social institutions are equal in their rights and among themselves. But, as life shows, often one of them dominates the others somewhat. For example, the status of a director of a company is much higher than that of a manager, and he has advantages over ordinary employees. And so in all social structures.

Elements of the social structure

Social structure is the so-called skeleton of any society, which includes different levels of classes, castes, groups, institutions and cells filled with people. This division indicates the differences in the relations between people in them and the division into main and secondary parts.

The group is a relatively small social structure, and social relations in it are built on the interaction of people who have created some kind of political, economic, creative or other connection with each other. Classes are large associations of individuals. They can be divided according to the right of origin (the upper world, titled individuals), the economic sign (rich, middle class or poor), social strata (workers, farmers, intellectuals, creative beau monde). Each class has its own rules of conduct, a code of honor, psychological collective portraits and its values.

Stratum is a group of people conventionally united in terms of income, profession or other characteristics. For example, the creative elite (beau monde) unites artists, musicians, artists, etc., who have achieved professionalism, success and recognition in their profession. Castes are groups consisting of people holding the same views, leading traditional life and marrying inside it. Preserved in some countries, for example in India or religious communities. These are the main elements of the structure of social relations.

The concept of social community

The so-called groups of people, different in number, but united by common labor activity, social characteristics or the same economic situation. Public relations, social structure directly depend on the filling parts. And those, in turn, - from the individuals entering into them. For example, the same person can:

• To be a citizen of a certain state.
• Belong to a particular ethnic group.
• Be a resident of a certain part of the country.
• Unite with other people by belonging to a particular profession: doctors, teachers, politicians.
• To enter a certain economic stratum (middle class, poor man, tycoon).
• To be simultaneously a member of such small cells and groups as a family, a work collective, a circle of friends and others.

All individuals entering into a community create from it an integral system that is in constant development and interacts with other social objects.

Forms of the social structure of society

Presently existing communities have a variety of forms and types. For example, there is the following classification:

1. By the number of individuals: from a few people to millions.
2. By the duration of existence and development: from several hours (for example, some committee) to many millennia.
3. By its main differences: territorial, ethnic, professional and others.

The social structure of society, social relations within it directly depend on the groups that fill it: large and small. The interrelation of people in these groups is determined by what unites them. For example, it may be common values.

Signs of social relations

In their daily lives, people constantly interact with each other, not realizing that even minute communication affects the development of society as a whole. At the same time, contacts can arise both at the domestic or professional level between individual individuals or groups, or between states or peoples. In sociology there is no single name for this higher form of social behavior of individuals and their interaction. Therefore, for her came up with the name "social relations".

The notion of "structure of social relations" includes the relationship between classes, ethnic groups, national associations, group or party alliances, relations between people at any level (from friendships and family to professional, economic or political ties).

Any sphere of the life of society is built on those points of contact that create in them every separate individual in the process of rapprochement with each other. Social relations are a relationship between people, formed not only on interpersonal contacts, but also on the unity of economic, political or professional views on the development of society.

The concept of social institution

The social structure and social relations in it are formed on the basis of social institutions that fill it and ensure its unity. Let's talk about this in more detail. In a broader notion, a social institution is a stable, living and constantly evolving organism in which people work together. In a narrow sense, this is the system of values, norms and connections that must satisfy the needs of both society as a whole and its individual groups or people.

Types of social institutions

With the development of society, the social structure and its institutions have constantly changed, leaving only those links that bring help and ensure its stability. Public institutions include:

• A family that represents the institution of kinship.
• The state is the largest political structure of society. It is obliged to ensure the safety and prosperity of its citizens.
• Education. Refers to the social institution of culture, the main purpose of which is not only the educational and educational process, but also the transformation of the individual into a full-fledged citizen of the country.
• At the heart of the church institute is the unification of people on the unity of religion.
• The Institute of Science deals with the unification of people who produce knowledge in any scientific field.
• The Institute of Law is the totality of all norms and relations. They guarantee people their freedom and responsibilities.

All these institutions are part of the social structure of society.

Structure of socio-economic relations

One of the types of social relations are economic ties. At the heart of any society are socio-economic relations, the structure of which is divided into international (trade, investment, capital transfer and other between states) and social (property law, legal relations and others). Socio-economic relations are determined by the forms of ownership and are based on how people produce, distribute, exchange or consume different kinds of goods and services.