Definition | A society is a comprehensive system for organizing life in a place. |
Examples | Nations such as the United States, China or France.Communities such as the Amish of North America that provide a comprehensive system for life in a place.Total institutions such as prisons resemble societies. |
Components | A society includes all the primary systems, institutions and culture that govern life in a place including:National Constitutions & ChartersPolitical SystemsEconomic SystemsLegal SystemsJustice SystemsEducation SystemsDefensePublic InfrastructurePublic ServicesGovernment DepartmentsNational CultureInstitutions Such as Families |
Society vs Nation | All nations are societies but not all societies are nations. A society can include communities and institutions that heavily govern life within the context of a nation. |
Society vs Culture | Societies include formally defined systems such as political systems and laws. Cultures emerge with shared experience and aren't centrally controlled or defined. For example, a language is culture because it isn't directly controlled by a government but rather emerges and changes over time with a process of communication, media and social interaction.A society can include culture such as a national culture or language. However, society is a much larger concept than culture. |
Society vs Civilization | A civilization is an advanced society. This term is also used to refer to multiple societies that have common heritage such as Western civilization -- meaning societies that have shared heritage with Europe. |
Other Meanings | An organization or club devoted to a purpose or activity.Upper class social groups. [in this context "society" is a short form for "high society"] |
