II. Major Characteristics of Society : Despite the variations in our understanding of society, the fact remains that it is central concept in sociology.
Characterization of society can be provided in terms of certain traits.
Harry M. Johnson enlists the following characteristics : (i) Definite territory, (ii) Progency, (iii) Culture and, (iv) Independence
A brief description of each trait is given below :
1. Definite Territory : (a) A society is a territorial group. Some nomadic societies move about within a much larger territory than they occupy at any one time, but they regard the whole range as 'their' country.
(b) There are of course, territorial groups within societies, for instance, claus, neighbourhoods, political outfits, cities, countries, etc.
2. Progency : (a) Members form every society. They are recruited in different ways also. But in a large number, the members of a society come by means of human reproduction within the group of people.
(b) Several societies also obtain members by adoption, enslavement, conquest or immigration. But reproduction within the group itself remains a fundamental source of new members, in fact progeny is the most important trait of society.
3. Culture : (a) A Society has a 'Comprehensive' culture in the sense that it is culturally self-sufficeint. For instance, a society can carry on trade with other societies, but the cultural patterns involved in the trade are a part of the culture of the society itself.
The means of payment and the forms of contracts are culturally patterned.
(b) A comprehensive culture can have sub-cultures as well. For example we can
take the case of our own country. The Indian people have a comprehensive culture which gives them an identity. We have a common culture, a family system, a set of religious communities, linguistic entities, village communities, and above all history of shared pains and pleasures. The sub-cultures are, for instance, Rajasthan culture, Punjabi culture, Assami culture, etc.
(c) Bear in mind each sub-culture is characterised by its respective characteristics. For good mutual relations and harmony we should not try to disturb any sub-culture.
4. Independence : The fourth and last trait of society is independence. It refers that a further characteristic of a society is that it is a sub-group of any other. We may define Society as such as permanent self contained and an integrated group.
