Definition, Nature,
associations and more...
The term sociology was
coined (used) by Auguste Comte, a French Philosopher, in 1839, who is one of
the founding fathers of sociology. Others three are Max Weber, Ermile
Durkhiemade and Herbert Spencer. Auguste Comte introduced to the term
‘sociology’ in his famous book “The Course Of Positive Philosophy”. The teaching of sociology as a separate discipline started in
1876 in the USA; in 1889 in France. The department of
sociology/anthropology was established in 1981 in Nepal, under the chairmanship
of Chaitayjaat Mishra at TU.
Sociology is the
youngest of all the social science. The word ‘sociology’ is derived from the
Latin word ‘societo’
meaning ‘society’ and the Greek word ‘logos’ meaning ‘study or science’. Thus,
the etymological meaning of ‘sociology’ is the science of society. Sociology is
the study of man’s behaviour in groups or of the interaction among human beings
of social relationship and the processes by which human group activity takes
place.
Some definitions
Max Weber: Sociology is the science which attempts the
interpretive understanding of social actions.
Herbert Spencer: Sociology is the study of interrelationship
between different parts of society
Prof. Ginsberg: Sociology is the study of society that is the
web or tissue of human interactions and interrelations.
J.F. Cube ‘Sociology may be defined as a body of
knowledge about human relationships.
W.F. Ogburn Sociology is a body of learning about
society. It is a description of ways to make society better. It is a social
ethics, a social philosophy. Generally, however it is defined as a science of
society. –
Sociology is a science of
society of social relationship, study of social life, study of human
behaviour in group, study
of social action, forms of social relationship, social groups or social
system.
On the basis of these
definitions we may conclude that sociology is the science of society and
society is the web of social relationship. Thus, sociology is the science which
studies the social relationships that happen in the process of interaction and
interrelation among individuals in social groups. Therefore, forms of social
relationship are the subject matter of society.
Nature of sociology:
1. It is an independent
science, not treated as the branch of other science.
2. Related to other
social sciences like economics, political science, psychology, history,
anthropology, dealing
with the various activities.
3. Aims to get the
knowledge of social phenomena and it may apply the proper knowledge for the
welfare of human
society.
4. It doesn’t deal with
each and every events that takes place in the society, rather it tries to make
generalization on the
basis of the study of some related events.
5. Silence on the
question of value as a discipline, it can’t deal with the problems of good and
bad,
right or wrong.
6. Based on rationalism
and empiricism.
1.1 Scope of Sociology
There is no one opinion about
the scope of sociology. It is difficult to determine just where its
boundaries begin and
end. It is maintained by some that sociology studies everything and anything
under the sun.
In the broadest sense,
society is the study of human interactions and interrelations, their
conditions and
consequences. Thus, ideally, sociology has for its field the whole life of man
in
society. But this is too
wide a scope for any science to deal with properly.
There are two main
schools of though among sociologists on this issue:
1. Specialistic or
Formalistic School:
1. This group of writers
headed by German Sociologist Simmel’s view.
2. Simmel demarcates
sociology sociology clearly from other branches of social study and confines it
to the enquiry into certain defined aspects of human relationship.
3. They regard society
as pure and independent.
4. According to Simmel,
society is a specific social science which describes, classified, analyses
and delineates the form
of social relationship.
5. Small’s View: The
scope of sociology is the study of the general forms of social relationship,
behavour and activities,
etc.
6. Max Weber’s View:
Sociology concerned with the analysis and classification of types of social
relationship.
7. Sociology studies are
specific aspect of social relationships i.e. their forms in their abstract
nature, and not in any
concrete situation. Bottle’s example
8. If school has limited
scope of sociology to the abstracted study of the forms of social
relationships.
Criticism of Formalistic
School:
1. It has narrowed the
scope of sociology.
2. Abstract forms
separated from concrete relations cannot be studied.
3. The conception of
pure society is impractical.
4. Sociology alone does
not study social relationships.
Synthetic School
1. This school wants to
make sociology a synthesis of the social sciences or a general science.
2. This group is headed
by Durkheim, Hebhouse and Sorokin.
3. Durkheim’s View:
Sociology has three principal division viz. a) social morphology b) social
physiology c) General sociology
4. The study of
relationship between the different aspects of social phenomena: Sorokim’s view.
5. Recently a
sociological seminar was held in America which gave a general outline of the
scope of the sociology. Alex Inkeles has put it as follows:
a) Social Analysis b)
Primary Concepts of Social Life
c) Basic Social
Institution d) Process
Conclusion:
The scope of sociology
is very wide. It is a general science but it is also a special science. As
a matter of fact, the
subject matter of all social sciences is society.
Formalistic (short form)
Sociology deals with
same topic as other sciences deal but from different angles of different
modes of social
relationship.
This school of thought
has been criticized as it has unreasonably narrowed the field of sociology.
Synthetic
It advocates sociology
as the synthesis of social science. All the aspect of social life are
interrelated.
The specific study of a
particular aspect of the social event is not enough to describe the
event and hence
sociology should study the social life from various aspects and in totality.
Sub-division of
Sociology
Social life is composed
by so many social aspects. All these aspects are the subject matter
of sociology. So, naturally sociology has many branches which are determined
by various social aspects. Sociology has covered all the aspects of social life
and society. It is going to be very popular subject in the upcoming days due to
its accessibility to every parts of social life. So, sociology has succeeded to
open its own specialized branch. The major branches of sociology are given as
follows:
1. Historical Sociology: It studies the historical events which are
related with society and man. It employs historical and comparative study
method. Its study methods are historical and
comparative.
2. Sociology of
Knowledge: It is recently
developed. It studies the knowledge which is social
product. This branch
argues that human knowledge is influenced by human society and its
structure.
3. Sociology of
Education: It studies the
academic institution and organization. Its focus point of study is system of
education or college or school.
4. Sociology of Ecology: It is related with environment. Its
subject matter is now to impact of
environment on living
beings.
5. Sociology of Law: It was developed in Europe. This branch of
sociology studies the interrelationship and interaction among the law society
and social institution. It studies the law as major formal means of social
control.
6. Rural
Sociology: It studies the rural
society with scientific way, which developed in America.
According to A.R. Dasai,
“Rural sociology is the science of rural society.”
7. Urban
Sociology: It studies the
industrial society to which we call urban society.
8. Industrial
Sociology: It studies related with
industrial relations and industrial activities of man.
9. Economic
Sociology: It is also recognized as
sociology of economic life. It studies these kinds of complex activities which
are related with production, distribution, exchange, consumption and services.
10. Political
Sociology: It is developed for
study and search of political process, organizations,
institution with
sociological point of viewer perspective.
Other Branches:
Sociology has many
branches which are mentioned below:
a) Sociology of Religion
b) Sociology of Military
c) Sociology of Crime
d) Sociology of Art
e) Sociology of Medicine
f) Sociology of
Communication
g) Sociology of
Recreation
h) Sociology of Sexual
Behaviour
i) Sociology of Social
Evils
j) Sociology of Caste
k) Sociology of Small
Group
l) Sociology of
Psychology
m) Sociology of Service
n) Sociology of
International Relation
o) Sociology of
Development & Planning
Sociology and
Anthropology
Sociology and
anthropology are so closely related sciences that they often appear as two
names for the same field of enquiry. Sociology is the science of society and
anthropology is the science of man. Both society and man are complementary to
each other.
Subject Matter: Society is a common sub matter, while
studying society; both of these sciences study the events and activities of
social life. Social anthropology studies social organization, institutions and
behaviors, which is also included in the study area of sociology.
Method: both make empirical study of the society
and both apply the same research techniques as observation, questionnaires,
interview, field work etc.
Attitude: till now various universities in the
world, including Nepal, have the trend of teaching sociology and anthropology
within the same dept.
Differences between
Anthropology and Sociology
S.N
|
Anthropology
|
Sociology
|
1 Sub Matter
|
Anthropology is the study of whole
society. Various fecets of an individual is focused. It
studies its political, legal
problems, family organization,
religions, art, industries and occupation.
|
Sociology studies only its
particular aspects. Social life of an individual is focused, The
main focus of sociology is social interaction.
|
2
|
It studies the primitive society
in its in-depth, emphasis is given to small groups .
|
Extensive & descriptive past
and present situation of society, emphasis is given to entire society. It does not studies only primitive study but studies
modern society too.
|
3
|
Anthropology studies cultures
which are small and static.
|
Sociology studies civilizations
which are
vast and dynamics.
|
4
|
Anthropology is the study of man
and his culture as they developed in times long past.
|
Sociology studies the same
phenomena as they are at present.
|
5
|
It participates observation
method.
|
It employs sampling method.
|
6
|
Anthropology is not concerned with
social planning. It does not make any suggestions for the future.
|
Sociology is concerned with both
social philosophy and social planning.
|
Anthropology
Etymologically: Greek
word “Anthropos” means human beings and “Logus” means study or science.
Anthropology studies the
overall activities of human beings from past to till date. Though history,
psychology and sociology too study the human being’s activities and their
behavior but they do not study the human beings as specifically as anthropology
do. It studies the origin of human, their development, their condition, all the
previous human –era and the present human society & culture.
Franz Boas : Anthropology deals with man as social beings.
A.L. Krober: Anthropology is the science of group of men and
their behaviour and production.
Hobel: Anthropology is the study of man and at all his
works, in its fullest sense it is the study of race and custom of mankind.
The word firstly used in
England in an anonymous book on human nature which devides the subject into
psychology and anatomy.
Nature
The nature of
anthropology is original and unique because it studies human being in two ways
i.e. as a biological being and as a cultural being. In other word, we can say
that anthropology studies human being by physical anthropological method and by
socio- cultural anthropological method.
According to Krober
& Hoebel: It mainly have two
branches. Physical and cultural anthropology. As physical anthropology studies
the origination of human, their growth and development, physical attributes and
physical characters.
Similarly in cultural
anthropology, it studies humans as cultural being, their cultural originations,
its development, variation and similarities among people living in different
places.
Accrording to
Malinowski, Redcliff Brown, Nadel, Foster etc believe that anthropology is only natural science because
the study method of anthropology is been applied by the study method of natural
science.
According toT.K.
Fenninah anthropology as a
natural science in one hand and the other hand he has taken as a science of
human history.
It’s a holistic study of
man culture.
Scope of Anthropology
Though the scope of
anthropology is vast and complicated , still anthropologist has separated its
two main branches.
Physical:
physical anthropology
studies the origination of human, their growth and development, physical
attributes and physical structures, effect of environment to their body
structure, human fossils etc.
(Human Genetics)
(Human
Paleontology)
(Anthropometry)
(Biometry)
Cultural:
Similarly in cultural
anthropology, it studies humans as cultural being, their cultural originations,
its development, human customs, norms & values, tradition, religion, literature,
politics, economics, variation and similarities among people living in
different places and all the structures of social institutions.
(Archeologycal
Anthropology)
(Ethnological
Anthropology)
(Linguistical
Anthropology)
(Behaviorial
Anthropology)
Sub Division of
Anthropology
Economic
Anthropology: It carries out a
comparative study of the economic aspect of modern and primitive society.
Production, distribution, consumption, exchange.
Ecological
Anthropology: deals with the
relationship between ecology and human communities and what kinds of society
develop from that interaction.
Medical
Anthropology: it talks about different
disese in human communities and the methods of remedying them.
Development
Anthropology: it stresses anthropological
perspective in all developmental process.
Political
anthropology: is a discipline which
studies political activities of human society, their behavior, leadership,
social rules and practices.
Types of Society:
Hunting & gathering
In hunting &
gathering societies, people do not grow crops or keep livestock but gain their
livelihood from gathering plants/fruits and hunting animals. About 99% of the
human history is assumed to be spent in hunting & gathering society. It was
existed for about 10,000 years ago.
Characteristics
1. Relied completely on nature
2. Nomadic, hunting & gathering etc are the
main foundation of mode of production
3. Based on collectivism/ equality
4. Specific population , members of a group are
consanguine based
5. Instability of residence
6. Matriarchal family at beginning and later
patriarchal
7. More belief in invisible power
Pastoral society
Pastoral societies are
those that raise domesticated animals as their major source of subsistence . it
was initiated in 30,000 years ago.
Characteristics
1. Semi-nomadic life based on animal husbandry
2. Depend on nature, based on equality
3. Oriented towards stability
4. Mobility towards proper environment &
resource availability
5. Belief on supernatural power
6. Specific person lead the group
7. Economic improvement due to animal husbandry
8. Patriarchal family
9. Bridge between nomadic and agricultural society
10. Overall change in objects, foods, tools socio-cultural
institutions. Etc, in relation to past society
Agricultural society
It is estimated to have
entered in agricultural society about 10,000 years ago. However , this process
of social transformation has become possible only after a long run. Agricultural
socities depend on the cultivation of fixed plots of land. Larger, more
developed, urban societies form traditional states or civilization. Various
agricultural systems have been developed in the process of development of
modern agricultural society, which can be mentiod as follows:
1. Horticulture
2. Shifting cultivation
3. Slash & burn cultivation
4. Simple plough cultivation
5. Modern aricultural system
Industrial societies
Industrial
production (whose techniques are also used in the production of foods) is the
main basis of the economy. Industrialized countries include the nations of the
west.
With the process of
industrialization in 18th century industrial society has been
developed. This society has been developed after the transformation of modern
agricultural society and feudal mode of production. As the society entered into
the process of industrialization, immense changes have taken place in social,
cultural, political and economic life. Within this system, looking from the
perspective of production, production system is maintained in the basis of
division of labor, applying the appropriate technology.
Development
of material thinking, state of substitution of traditional mode of production,
development of unitary family structure, development of industrial labourers,
urbanization, beginning of privatization, freedom etc are developed along with
the development of industrial society.
Modern society started
from 18th century. England is the first country (1760-1830)
Characteristics of
Industrial Society:
• Emergence of
modern family set-up
• Economic
institution
• Division of
labour
• Social mobility
(for upliftment)
• Women rights
• Human rights
Economy as an
institution
Economic institution in
sociology and anthropology refers to the way of performing economic activities.
Through these institutions, economic necessities of a community are fulfilled.
Economy affects the whole society and culture.
John J. Macionis: the
economy is the social institution that organizes the production, distribution
and consumption of goods and services to call the economy an ‘institution’
implies that it functions in an established manner that is predictable, at
least general outlines
The system of
production, consumption and distribution of goods and services as per the
custom and requirement of society, we call it economic institution. It can also
be called an economic system. These economic systems mainly focus on 3 aspects.
Firstly, the type and quantity of goods and services to be produced, secondly,
how to exploit the existing natural services for production of goods and
services and the availability of such resources and thirdly, to whom goods and
services need to produce etc. each economic institutions work actively in each
historical period considering these 3 aspects.
Understanding of
economic institution helps us to understand:
What types of economic
institutions were and have been evolved in societies,
What is the nature of
division of labor and market,
What kind of relationship
was/is there between economic activities and society and
What short of impacts
did .do they/have on/ the social and cultural life of human.
Functions of economic
institution:
Economy is the unified
form of production system, distribution, exchange and consumption. Technique of
production, relationship among the production units, impacts of technology,
produced goods, distribution process of produced goods, types of goods &
services are used by consumers, what is in demand, resources and materials that
are used and the access of communities are further relevant things in economy.
Production:
Main
task, production means the construction, development and growth of goods and
services. Such goods and services are produced focusing family and community. Similarly household level goods are
produced generally in ancient society, which are not industrialized. In such
societies, cottage, traditional methods are used while production is mechanized
in the industrialism oriented societies./
Distribution:
Distribution
means the process through which goods & services are delivered to the
targated groups. Thus distribution is another important task of economy.
While distributing, if
the nature of production is primary or subsistence based such goods are distributed
to specific families and communities, Such as pre-industrial. But in industrial
society goods are produced in an extensive way and the distribution process is
global market based.
Exchange:
Exchange
in simple economic term is the process of buying and selling of goods and
services in the market on monetary basis and where goods are sold in cash. Business transaction and exchanges are
adopted. Today]s modern monetary production system are economy depends upon
this process.
In
transitional society exchange of goods and services were held in barter system.
But in industrial societies exchange system is systematized through money.
Consumption:
In
economy, the purpose of production of each goods or services is for
consumption. Consumption means the use of goods or services as per human needs
and satisfaction.
There
occurs the possibility of under production or overproduction if less emphasis
is made on the nature and features of the consumers. This creates imbalances in the overall
economy. Consumer’s behavior must be taken seriously while producing, because
this eases the supply process as per the demand. Any production, if consumer’s
taste, desire, economic status, cultural beliefs are considered would easily
dominate the market.
Economic role and
social significance of household, community and state level institution
Social significance of
economy at household level:
The
basic unit of each production process is family. Family and household based
division of labor condition of employment, decision process, income or earning,
enterprenurship and consumption directly affect the economy.
Home based production
indeed is a unit of culture. Social and cultural rituals, festivals, fair &
other techniques of working system have direct link with the economy. Thus,
while operating plans of economic development, working methods and processes of
household institutions need to be understood and their utility also needs to be
identified.
If
household level production priorities, strategies, traditional knowledge,
skills etc are identified and applied in a new context, it contributes
positively to the economy. It also contributes directly to the sustainable
economic development.
Community level:
The
economic activities performed by the participation of community is called
community level economic institutions. Various communities in societies have
various types of production techniques and the techniques of mobilizing
resources and production means.
In the context of Nepal,
economic activities through the Rodhi in Gurung, Guthi in Newar, Dhikuri in
Thakali, Bheja in magar , parma in Brahmin community are performed.In these
institutions the resources mobilization and community participation is highly
expected. Which has contributed positively to the national economy. Such
economic activities unite various families’ castes, languages, cultures etc and
strengthen social unity.
Backward
groups, castes and religions, promoting o mutual cooperation and working
together. These are what we call social significance of community level
economic activities. It also keeps social and cultural dignities
purer, society considers itself secured, promotes social unity and brotherhood,
good earning, access in the means and resources.
State level:
State level institutions
mean the entire state mechanism. Economic and social development related
activities are forwarded through central and local level state institutions.
The economic policy,
acts, rules, laws needs to be clear. The most important aspect for economic
development and societal transformation is the determination of clear long –
term and short – term objectives, and mobilization of each and every mechanism,
organs or units of state, coordinating them. State-led economic
activities are the only means of entire social development and transformation. When
a country involves in an economic revolution, means and resources are widely
mobilized and the state of capital mobilization & construction also
extended. Economic prosperity, economic progress, various oppurtinities,
employment, education, health etc are in good condition.
Economy as an adaptive
institution:
Economy is one of the
major factors to determine the nature and form of socio-cultural system.
Economy means the
integrated system of consumption, production, distribution and exchange. This
process depends upon human desires. To ease their livelihood pattern human
selects certain economic system, relationship and behaviors. Economic system is
selected on the basis of types of production and their benefits to society.
Social ideals, values
& assumptions, culture, the level of development, political & social
consciousness also effect in determining the production system of a society.
Due to these assumptions, various production systems with varying economic
characteristics and assumption have been developed in various time frames.
There happens to be intimate relationship between economy and socio-cultural
life. It is because economy is an adaptive institution.
Education as an
institution
Education is the means
of operating educational activities, where academic phenomena happen. Various
educational activities are launched as per the demand of society. As people of
diverse strata involve in this process considering the given rules, processes,
objectives, assumptions, expectations, this can be regarded as a social
institution.
John.
J. Macionis : “education is the social institution guiding a
society’s transformation of knowledge including basic facts, job, skill and
cultural norms and values to its members or education is a social institution
which directs the fundamental facts, employment skills, cultural values of
human and the transformation of knowledge.
Education is the major
tool of socialization process. Knowledge, culture, values, beliefs, lamguages,
arts, literature, technologies, that are developed in one society is
transferred to other socities through education. These activities are
transferred from one individual to other and from one generation to another
generation. This process is gradual and universal. Thus, education can be taken
as an important social institution. Social awareness,
consciousness and unity.
Polity as an institution
A procedure of political
activities, rules, assumptions, behaviors and working system can be called
political system. Political institution is an institution with a working
procedure, allocation of power and the ascertaining leadership rights.
Leadership is selected by political system and that leadership makes policies
for conducting the entire things.
James W. Vander Zanden
says “ the political institution is the social structure concerned with the use
and distribution of power within a society.
While talking about
political institution in sociology & anthropology, we need to analyze
various aspects and processes like state of political participation, political
ideologies, rights of adults franchise and behavior, participation of male,
female including various classes, legal activities, selection process of
political parties etc. which affects the development of society and entire
nation.
Polity as a decision
making component
James W. Vander Zanden
says “ the political institution is the social structure concerned with the use
and distribution of power within a society.
Politics guides entirely
the society. It remains at the heart of entire social & economic system.
Because the process of evolution in society, it moves ahead as per the
prevalent political thinking, political system and behavior. Which classes of
people or communities have access to the process of state mechanism, also
affect socio-economic development. What kind of economic development is to be
conducted , what kind of religious policies are to be adopted, how to impart
people of various classes and layers in the process of development, are
significantly affected by the political system . politics mobilizes every
organizations of the society.
1. Politics is the major base of the operation of
state system.
2. Economic, social, academic, cultural religious
rules and regulations and laws that are made by the state, instruct the
society.
3. Participatory, democratic and pro-people ruling
system can change entirely the society.
4. If politics is regulated as per the people’s
mandate, independent and participatory society can institutionally be
developed.
5. Through the activities of political parties like
awareness programs, political trainings people’s mobilization, people’s
mandates are materialized in the decision making of a society.
Religion & the significance
of religion at household, community and state level
It is not an easy task
to give a definition of religion which will satisfy everyone. Different
scholars have defined religion in various ways. Some have given that religion
is attitude towards superhuman power. Some have considered religion as a belief
in “power superior to man which are believed to direct and control the course
of nature of human life.”
Thus there are numerous
definitions of religion given by thinkers according to their own conceptions.
According their viewed, we may conclude that religion includes a belief in
supernatural or mysterious powers and that it expresses itself in overt
activities designed to deal with those powers.
In sociology, the word
religion is used in a wider sense. Sociologists defines religion as “these
institutionalized systems of belief, symbols, values and practices that provide
groups of men with solutions to their question of ultimate being.
To be more clear about
religion, here are given some points which are associated with religion.
a. A set of belief
regarding the nature of the world.
b. Set of practices or
rituals.
c. Guides man on how to
behave or act in a given or particular situation.
d. Explain why things
happen (How people birth …, why dies….)
e. It involves the
believe in God.
Religion is based on
cultural deeds of man and has added a new dimension to human life and
human development.
Basically, religion revolves round the faith of main in some supernatural
forces which we call God.
Ogburn: Religion is an attitude towards super-human
power.
Durkhim: Religion is
unified system of belief and practices relating to sacred things.
E.B Tylor: a religion is the belief in spiritual
beings
Malinowski: Religion is a mode of action as well as a
system of belief and a sociological phenomenon as well as personal experiences
Characteristics of
religion
1. Belief in supernatural power
2. Sense of sacred and profane
3. Sense of salvation
4. Social control and direction
5. Various religious thoughts
6. Religious action
7. Religious symbol
8. Important social institution
9. Religious taboos
10. Religious worship, power and consolidation
11. Spiritual value
Religion as a factor of
generating integration and conflict in society:
According to Durkheim, social life is impossible without social
values, moral beliefs, collective conscience and dutifulness, which are only
found in religion. He has discussed religion as a means of social unity in this
way.
1 means of social
control
2 means of systematizing
social life
3 Power and ideals for
guiding human activities can be achieved through religion.
According to Malinowski: he has considered religion as a social
unity of developing social values and of strengthening social unity.
Religion can act in promoting emotional awareness in society. He has
interpreted religion as a means of social unity In this way.
1 maintaining social
unity
2 custom, way of
application or way of using custom
3 guiding elelment of
social life
4 element that lessen
social crisis
5 Develops mental
satisfaction
T. Parsons also considers religion as an important
part of cultural system. According to him, religion beliefs motivate people in
conducting moral activities. He has described religion on the following bases.
1 means that maintain
social unity.
2 important part of
cultural system
3 means of maintaining
social stability
4 Means of social
adjustment
Marx: Religion is the
sign of the oppressed creature, the sentiment of heartless world and the soul
of soulless condition. It is the opium of people
Engels: religion is not
other than the false portraits of external powers in human mind, which dominate
the daily human lives.
Religion as an
Institution
Religion as Institutions
means the way of working system prevalent in our society from ancient age to
till, that conducts religious activities, behaviors, relationships and faith,
their adoption and exchanges. It is ancient as well as universal. People of
various historical epochs and societies have considered religion as one of the
important part of life. Faith on super power, social harmonies, mutual trust,
moral character, humanity, generosity is the guiding principles of each
religion.
Emile
Durkheim : unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things,
that is to say, things set apart and forbidden beliefs and practices which
unite to one single moral community called church, all these who adhere to
them.
According to Durkheim,
social life is impossible without social values, moral beliefs, collective
conscience and dutifulness, which are only found in religion.
According to Malinowski:
he has considered religion as a social unity of developing social values and of
strengthening social unity. Religion can act in promoting emotional
awareness in society.
T. Parsons also
considers religion as an important part of cultural system. According to him,
religion beliefs motivate people in conducting moral activities.
Currently developed
moralities, customes, laws, social perspectives, political development,
economic development etc are significantly affected by religion. Various
religions have existed in the world and these religions have guided, controlled
human activities. Religion has also become the reliable means of social
organization.
Religion as a belief
system
August Comte has said that religion and belief evolved
from polytheism to monotheism along with the evolution of society.
E.B. Tylor says that human started believing animism at
first then on polytheism and then monotheism.
In this way, activities
under each religion are associated with belief to some extent. Religion
consists of beliefs like hell, heaven, sacred, profane etc. Likewise , while
applying religion in their economic, social political and cultural life, people
use to act as per the belief in that religion. Thus, religion can be taken as a
system of belief, which is highly affected by traditional beliefs than
scientifism.
Religion at household
level
Religion has an
important role at family level. It has both direct and indirect relationship in
household level activities. Each and all activities are affected by religion,
as religion and culture are interrelated with each other.
A person in a family
learns about the cultural values, beliefs etc through religion. Religion has a
direct impact in socialization process of an individual. Likewaise, household
level rituals like death, birth, festivals, exhibition, fairs, worshipping
ceremonies, fasting etc are also affected by religion. Such kind of human
behaviors are guided by religion.
Religion contributes in
promoting social welfare by properly directing human activities, behaviors,
conducts, moralities and ideals.
Community based
Community level
activities are performed according to the religious values, assumptions, ideals
and traditions. In this context the significance………..
1. Religion exists as means of social unity
2. Means of moral built-up
3. Important role in socialization process
4. It helps determining roles, occupation, division
of labour
5. Feeling of social security and psychological
peace can be achieved through religion.
6. Social and cultural rituals based on religion
provides unity, mobility and ecstasy in society.
7. It is a means of economic development (Rodhi,
Bheja, Dhikuri, Guthi)
8. Social integration
Economic, social,
political and cultural activities of a community are affected by religion.
Since, a community depends upon internal relationship. If anybody acts against
the religion he/she is boycotted by the society.
State level
In traditional societies
religion was the main base of ruling system. Some people or groups used to rule
the state in the name of religion. King was given prime emphasis in Hindu
religion. In Bhutan, monarchy been existed in the name of religion.
The significance of
religion in state level can be discussed in this way.
1. It is significant in constituting state and
conduction.
2. Policies of states are influenced by religion.
3. It affects the role, task & duty of
citizens.
4. It affects positively in the development of the
nation.
Social change
Social change is the
change is social relationship . such change is felt after social structure is
changed. Social change is influenced by the changes in various units of social
structures like caste, religion, economic organization, social institutions
etc.
MacIver & Page:
Socail change is change in human relationship
Ginsberg: By social
change, I understand a change in social structure e.g. the composition of
balance of its parts of the types of its organizations
M.P. Johnson: Social
change may be defined as modification in ways of doing and thinking of people.
Characteristics of
Social change
1. Universal phenomena
2. Prediction of change is not possible
3. General law
4. Community change
5. Modification
6. Planned & natural
7. Lack of uniformity
8. Chain change
What are the process
& consequences of social & cultural change in Nepal
Dimension of Social and cultural
change in Nepal
|
Process of Social and Cultural
Change
|
1. Economic dimension
|
1. Innovation
|
2. Political dimension
|
2. Diffusion
|
3. Technological dimension
|
3. Evolution
|
4. Demographic dimension
|
4. Adaptation
|
5. Educational dimension
|
5. Industrialization
|
6. Cultural dimension
|
6. Urbanization
|
7. Cultural exchange
|
7. Westernization
|
8. Modernization
|
|
9. Sanskritization
|
|
10. Acculturation
|
|
11. Globalization
|
|
12. Conflict
|
Cultural change
The way of entire
livelihood system of human in culture. Thus, the changes which occur on
particularly on social values, beliefs, traditions, customs, culture, art,
technology, modes of production, laws, moral grounds, perception, etc, are
called cultural changes. Society and culture are inseparable entities.
Kingsley Davis says “
cultural change embraces all changes occurring in any branch of culture,
including art, science, technology, philosophy, etc, as well as in the forms
and rules of social organization.”
Characteristics of
cultural change
1. Regular process
2. Change in whole life style and behavior
3. Mainly cultural change is affected by diffusion,
adaptation, developmental activities and acculturation
4. Broad change
5. General law
6. Helpful in social change
7. Material and non material change
8. Change in fooding and dressing
9. Change in technology
10. Change in art, literature, language, civilization, philosophy,
law, custom, values and belief system.
Factors of
Socio-cultural change
1. Demographic factor
2. Technological factor
3. Geographical factor
4. Economic factor
5. Political factor
6. Psychological factor
7. Ideological factor
Family:
The family is the most
important primary group and in society and most elementary unit of
human life. It is one of
the social institutions where in two meaning of family, two mature adults of
opposite sex with or
without children and other members live together in aunia.
The word ‘family’ has
been taken from the Roman Word, “famulus”, meaning a ‘servant’. In
Roman law, the word
denoted the group of producers and slaves and other servants as well as
members connected by
common descent or marriage.
It is the primary group
of the society. It is the first environment to which child is exposed. We
are under the influence
of the family from birth to death. The family thus is a biological unit
implying
institutionalized sex relationship between husband and wife. It also forms an
economic
unit.
MacIver & Page: the family is a group defined by sex
relationships sufficiently precise and enduring to provide for the procreation
and upbrng of the children.
Ember & Ember: a family is a social and economic unit
consisting minimally of one or more parent and their children member of family
always have certain reciprocal rights and obligations toward each other,
particularly economic ones. Family memebrs usually live in one household but
common residence is not defining features of families.
Characteristic of Family
a. Family is the universal institution.
b. Permanent & socially approved sexual
relationship
c. Fixed size , mutual awareness
d. Primary group
e. The structure of family is based on form
of marriage.
f. It provides common residence.
g. It fulfils social & economic provision.
h. It is a system of nomenclature.
i. It is a mating relationship.
Types of family:
1. on the basis of
number or size
Nuclear family
Joint family
Extended family
2. on the basis of
transformation of heredity
Patriarchal family
Matriarchal family
3. on the basis of
marriage
Monogamous family
Polygamous family
Function of family
1. Biological function
a. Reproduction
b. Fulfillment of sexual desire
c. Psychological satisfaction
d. Racial regulation
2. Economic function
a. Division of labour
b. Regulation of daily economic activities
c. Protection of wealth and determination of
inheritance
3. Socio-cultural function
a. Birth and death rituals
b. Socialization
c. Social control
d. Maintenance of social status
4. Educational
5. Recreational
6. Health related
7. Provision of residence
Kinship
What is kinship system?
Fictive kins are different from other types of kin group?
We know that society is
the web of social relationship. While analyzing society in a micro level, we
find people in various families, classes or communities associated with each
other. Kinship relationship was evolved in the elementary society after the
introduction of marriage and reproduction, which is even existed now. People in
society are associated to each other either from blood relations or from
marital relationship, which we call kinship.
When in society,
marriage between male & female takes place, as per the prevailing rules and
custom, kinship is evolved. Along with the evolution of kinship, changes also
occur in social relationship behavior, practices and cooperation.
MacIver & Page: the bond of blood and marriage which binds
people together in group is called kinship.
E.B. Tylor: Kinship is the social recognition and
expression of genealogical relationship, both consanguinial and affinal
.kinship system may include socially recognized relationship based on supposed
as well as actual genealogical ties.
Robin Fox: kinship is simply relations between kin
that is persons related by real, putative or fictive consanguinity.
Collins dictionary of
sociology: the social relationship and lineage groups characterized by and
bound together through, a system of well defined custom, rights and obligation.
Kin relationship may be established through affinity.
Stratification
Diversities,
inequalities and stratification in social system are interrelated entities and
are almost irresistible concepts in social system.
Social
stratification refers to the division of people soocio-economically in to
layers, or strata. When
we talk of social stratification, we draw attention to the unequal positions
occupied by individuals in society.In the larger traditional societies and
industrialized countries today there is stratification in terms of wealth,
property and access to material goods and cultural products.
1. Marx believed stratification is based on means
of production
2. Weber believed similar view to Marx but
distinguished another aspect of stratification that is “status” . it refers to
the esteem or “social honor” given to individuals or groups.
Ginsberg: social
stratification is the division of society permanent groups or cateories linked
with each other by the relationship of superiority and subordination.
R.W. Murray: social
stratification is a horizental division of society into higher and lower social
units.
Characteristics of
stratification
a) It is universal
process.
b) It doesn’t represent
biologically caused inequality but by property, prestige.
c) It is ancient age and
some were main criteria.
d) Religion, caste,
economy, occupation, power, sex etc are the major bases of social
stratification
e) Power, prestige,
property, age, sex, etc are major factors for stratification.
There are two types of
stratification. They are:
a) Close Stratification:
Stratification which a person ascribed by birth e.g. caste, religion
b) Open Stratification:
Stratification which a person achieve by his/her ability, intelligence,
capability, skills, etc.
The way of Stratification
1. On the biological
basis
2. Socio-cultural basis
Tumin has described on
the characteristics of social stratification
1. It is social
2. It is ancient in nature
3. It is universal
4. It has diverse forms
5. It is consequential
Dimension of social
stratification
1. Social dimension: If society is stratified due to the social
aspects, such a state is called social dimension of stratification. The
bases of social dimension are language, sex, religion, castes, race-base,
occupation etc, where all these elements have social and cultural root.
2. Economic Dimension: Situation of unequal access to means and
resources of each and every class and communities have been created; which is
called economic dimension of social stratification. The basis of
economic dimension is kept under vertical stratification i.e. society is
stratified economically into upper class, middle class and lower class.
3. Political Dimension: Power, prestige, property.
4. Ideological Dimension: belief systems
Need for Social
Stratification
1. Division of labour
2. Social Equilibrium
3. Occupational Security
Demerits of Social
Stratification
1. Narrows the
opportunity for the individuals (Division of labour which becomes very complex
for the upliftment of
the individuals)
sex race age birth
Ethnicity
Economic Political
Religious
2. Brings social
conflicts → (Arise the conflicts between the grade of an individuals)
Gender: One of the major forms of stratification prevailing
in Nepali society is based on the gender.
Gender is the most
fundamental feature of human society. It is the biological differences that
lead to
the existence of two sex
i.e.
1. Male
2. Female
In Nepalese society,
male and female are expected to perform different roles and discharge different
responsibilities. The mode of doing things status assigned the interest they
hold and ultimately the goals and aspirations of male and female are different.
The difference between male and female is not only biological but also
cultural. In the context of Nepal, male is the dominant sex where as females
are (relatively less dominant) followers. The major economic, house hold and
other decisions are taken by male. However, there are certain communities where
females are dominant.
In the recent years the
increasing education labour among females and the awareness of their roles and
status has accelerated the process of empowerment of woman to a large extent.
Age:
Age is another basis for
social stratification in our society. It is on the ground of age that
individuals in the
society are given different responsibilities, rights and are expected to
perform
different social roles.
In almost all the societies, classification of age-group may be found in
following age:
a) Infant
b) Adolescence/Childhood
c) Young
d) Adult
e) Old
The different age group
categorized above are distributed certain privileges and are assigned
different
responsibilities and duties in separate status.
For example: there must
be more than or equal to 18 years for taking motorcycle license.
Social Problem
Social problem may be
defined as any undesirable condition or situation that is judged by the
members of influential
person within in community to be intolerable and which requires a group action
towards its constructive reform.
Society remains in the
state of social equilibrium as long as its various parts. Function
properly when the social
equilibrium is disturbed it results in social disorganization.
The term social
disorganization according to Thomas and Zananiecki, who first develop this
term in their famous
book “The polish peasant in the Europe and America” refers to the decrease in
the influence of existing social rules of behaviour upon individual members. As
a result of this there is a lack of cohesion in the society. According to them
it is the process which automatically and inhabitably create social problem.
Examples of social
problem:
a) Juvenile Delinquency
b) Drug Addiction
c) Crime
d) Poverty
e) Divorce
f) Unemployment
g) Beggary
h) Mental illness
i) Over Population
j) Prostitution
k) Corruption
l) Suicide
m) Alcoholism
Discuss the idea of
diversity
Diversities,
inequalities and stratification in social system are interrelated entities and
are almost irresistible concepts in social system. If there is unity
among the units even after having been divided into various castes, language,
culture etc, we call it diversity.
The diversity of
Nepalese society can described in this way.
1. Diversity on the basis of caste & ethnic
groups
2. Religion
3. Occupation & business
4. Geographical regions, caste/ethnic groups living
there
5. Art , literature and civilization.
Nepalese society can be
studied and understood rightfully if it is analyzed through the common perceptive
of these diversities.
Discuss the idea of
diversity and inequality in the context of caste/ethnic and gender?
Caste: Krober: Caste system is an endogamous and
hereditary subdivision of an ethnic unit. Occupying a position of superior or
inferior rank of social esteam in comparision with subdivision
Gender:
ethnic group, culture,
religion, economic /psychological condition, ideology, power, occupation,
education, land ownership, class, nature of residence, art literature etc.
Dimensions of Social
Stratification:
Social dimension:
language, sex, religion, castes, race-base occupation, etc. where all these
elements have social and cultural root.
Economic dimension: Capitalist and working class, landlords
and slaves, upper class and lower class
Political dimension: Kings son is to be king, reservation to
women, backward region etc.
Ideological: Hindu and Buddhist philosophies,
materialist and spiritualist, concept of black and white, caste, class,
religion, male and female etc.
C.H. Cooly: when a class
is somewhat strictly hereditary, we may call it a caste.
Krober: Caste system is
an endogamous and hereditary subdivision of an ethnic unit. Occupying a
position of superior or inferior rank of social esteam in comparision with
subdivision.
Capitalism
An economic system based
on the private ownership of wealth, which is invested and reinvested in order
to produce profit.
It is a way of
organizing economic life based on the following features
1. Private ownership of the means of production
2. Profit as an incentive
3. Free competition for markets to sell goods,
acquire cheap raw materials and use cheap labors
4. Restless expansion and investment to accumulate
capital
5. Rapidity in production , where goods are produced
thinking the entire world as a market
6. Less importance to family level production
Feudalistic Mode of
production in Nepalese context
In Nepalese context, we
can see semi-feudal mode of production even the current democratic
constitutional system. Certain class people have hundreds of bigaha of land.
They do have access to the state mechanism in either way. During Rana
Regime in pretext of distribution of rent-free-land, certain class people
happened to control over unlimited portion of land. As the keeping of
bondage labor (bonded labor is legally abolished), small farmer working as
ploughmen ship, exploiting laborer in the name of grazing, subsistence earning
system than business-oriented, lack of competitive environment, landowners and
brokers becoming the leaders, bureaucrats etc, are some of the characteristics
of Nepalese society that clarifies our production system is semi-feudalistic
mode of production But... now in very recent ... some voices (Chaitanaya Mishra etc.) are coming in- front saying capitalist mode of production which is true indeed because there is yet lot to be analyzed like... different treaties of different countries, Nepals participation in world economy either ways (export /import), donation, help, FDI from different countries, Nepalese culture of participating in international job ie. Indian and British Army, different common job etc.
Feudal mode of
production
Agriculture is the very
foundation of feudalistic mode of production. As there was private ownership of
property, some of the elites happen to control the land and became landlords.
They succeeded to encircle the large-scale land . Lots of other agricultural
laborers became slaves, where they had to involve in the feudal mode of
production. The state of buying and selling and keeping more and more slaves
developed. Physical fitness of slaves and their fooding allowances are the
issues thought to be closely inclined to the prestige of the feudal lords.
Land is the major base
of feudal mode of production. The trend of selling processed goods,
reinvestment etc does not exist in feudalism. Feudal lords used to spend more
andmore needless goods and amount in feasts or in luxuries.
Characteristics
1. Basically tow classes: slave and land owners
2. Agriculture was the core of production, animal
husbandry was emphasized
3. Concepts like feudal are superior by birth are
developed
4. Domination of feudal land lords exists in
society. Order of feudal is thought to be sufficient for continuation of social
rules, laws and customs
5. Significant portion of earning is spent on
unnecessary activities.
Slavery mode of
production
Slavery mode of
production system is such type of production system where some people control
over other people’s labor and use or their own sake.
Mainly two classes i.e.
salves and slave owners exists in slavery.
Frank N. Magil says “
slavery mode of production is an economic institution in which slaves were the
principle workforce and slavery was center and integrates in to the ovrall
economic structure.”
Characteristics
1. Slaves as the private property of slave owners
which helped purchasing of slaves as materials
2. As slave owners had unlimited rights, it
promoted the exploitation, violence and domination against slaves
3. Role and participation of slaves in each
production process is major
4. Slaves has no ownership on resources and means
of production
5. Tradition of making slave on the basis of case,
race, color and by birth.
Communal mode of
production
In communal mode of
production system equal participation is there in the process of production.
There happens to be equal ownership of each people or groups in means &
resources. This kind of production system is the preliminary stage of human
society, like hunting and gathering.
Frank N. Magil has
mentioned “ characteristics of a primitive communal society are social
equality, including equal and almost equal access to resources, a nebulous
government, kin-centered groups, primarily monogamous marriage with occasional
polygamy and work most tasks by gender.
1. Social equality, communal ownership on means of
production
2. Identity of specific hoards groups clusters in
society.
3. Kin based/ group relationship exists
4. Communal in fishing and agriculture
5. Mostly found in hunting and gathering society
6. Social rules based on religion, tradition and
culture.
Use of Sociological
& Anthropological knowledge in solving problems in society
To analyze the dreadful
economic disparities between rich and poor countries of the world, to analyze
the situation and impact of environmental destruction, to seek the causes and
effects of poverty , to analyze the impact of capitalism , to study the changes
in social structure and the urbanization, to raise the descending health status
of people and to achieve victory in gaining the better results, the application
of sociological & Anthropological knowledge is must.
Here are some arguments
which justify the utility of sociological and Anthropological knowledge in
society:
1. To promote & study social courtesy in
society.
2. Contributes/ in development, in analyzing social
features
3. To study the almost declined culture and ethnic
groups
4. To study the social problems & social
process like capitalism, urbanization, westernization, globalization and its
impact
5. To make public discussion in social issues
6. To contribute in the promotion of awareness
7. To study racial variations and culture
8. To publisize the social working system
Focusing the application
in sector wise, the importance of sociological &
anthropological knowledge can be materialized practically in this way.
1. Development and planning
2. Research
3. Teaching
4. Marketing management
5. Advocacy for social integration
6. To do discourse on contemporary social issues
7. Job sector
8. To understand ourselves, our community and our
world
9. To study changing condition of society
10. Finally, and perhaps most important , sociology provides self
enlightment.
Roles of sociologists
& anthropologists
1. Planner
2. Social analyst
3. Manager
4. Social advocate
5. Teacher
6. Social engineer
7. Researcher
8. Activist
9. Gender expert
10. Dispute manager
11. Social mobilize
12. Catalysts
Hence, they can
contribute to society performing various roles, status by them. For this these
subjects provide subjective and methodological knowledge. These subjects help
in solving the social problems when it can identify causes and consequences of
social issues after subjective study of society and culture.
Inputs for development
work
Sociological and
Anthropological knowledge provides knowledge about the issues like development
for whom, how to achieve development, what changes does development bring, why
participation is necessary in development, how can the means and resources be
better mobilized for enhancing development etc. Sociological and
Anthropological knowledge provides theoretical and practical knowledge
regarding above mentioned issues.
1. To focus on causal analysis of the problem
2. To prepare planning with social analysis
3. To focus people’s participation in development
process
4. To utilize emic perspective in development
5. Social adjustment and environmental analysis
6. Social institution and development
7. For economic development
8. Learning process & development
9. To know development and the process of
development
10. Useful to prepare action plan
Socio- cultural
development
1. To study society for the development of social
harmony
2. To study minority group and their culture
3. To help socio- cultural reconstruction
4. Contribution to ethnic welfare and social
integration
5. To collect data for social record
6. To study social process and social problem
7. To analyze social trend
8. To enhance public debate on social issues
9. To contribute in public awareness
10. Study racial & cultural variation
11. Comparative study of whole society
12. Publicize social working procedure.
CASTE:
Caste is known as any of the hereditary Hindus social classes. It
is a corporate social unit
which is generally defined by marriage and occupation.
Caste is delivered from Spanish world ‘casta’ which means seed or
hereditary. Due to caste,
Hindus are divided in different categories. It creates the sense
of untouchability. The first user of this
world ‘caste’ is Gracia de Orta.
Definitions of Caste:
1. When a class is somewhat strictly hereditary, we may called it
as caste. – C.H.Colley
2. Caste is the freezing of social classes by means of endogamy
and heredity ascribe status. –
Hoebel.
3. When a status is wholly predetermined so that men are born to
their group without any hope of
changing it, then the class takes the extreme form of caste. –
Maciver and Page.
Features of Caste (Characteristics):
a. Hardly changeable, non-transferable.
b. Defined birth
c. Restriction on marriage, occupation, fooding, social
relationship
d. It helps in division of labour
e. Segmental division of society
f. Social hereditary
Merits and Demerits of Caste
Merits
a. Occupational security
b. Spirit of co-operation
c. Identification
d. Endogamy (social purity)
e. Integration of the country
f. Cultural division
Demerits
a. Inequality in society (discrimination)
b. Untouchability
c. No mobility in occupation
d. Racial discrimination
e. Lower position for castes and vice versa
3.2 Caste System in Nepal
Varna system in Nepal are described as for the classical religious
book states. Eg.
Mahabharatm Manusmriti, etc.
According to the religious talk. The word Brahmin comes out of
mouth of Brahman. They
teach Vedas, perform ritual practice.
Cheetri →comes out of arms of Brahma. They are involved in
administration, security for war,
welfare of country.
Vaisya → comes out of thigh of Brahma. They are involved
in production and trade.
Sudra →comes out of feet of Brahma. They are involved in
serving all other above Vernas.
Varna → Determine on the basis of Karma and Guna.
The caste system in Nepal, historically, have been systematized by
Jayasthiti Malla around
14th century
on the basis of Hindu ideology.
The classical model of Hindu caste hierarchy is as follows:
Caste system is one of the special feature of the Nepalese society
and has become very close
and hard under which a person was able to achieve status not by
its talents and quality but by its
birth. The caste system has become a symbol of ascribed status.
Caste system is an important determining factor of division in
contemporary in Hindu society
in Nepal which has been divided into two:
a. Touchable
b. Untouchable
The caste system in Nepal is different from western world where it
is defined mainly by the
racial differences where as in Nepal it is based on religious
sanction under which there exist no
mobility.
The caste system divides society into a large number of hereditary
groups connected and
distinguished by one another by three characteristics:
a. Division of labour (occupation)
b. Separation in the matter of marriage and contact.
c. Ranks group relatively superior or inferior.
Caste system as presented in old national code during the regime
of Jung Bdr. Rana has divided one
caste groups into 4 categories as given below:
Tagadhari – Twice born caste (Brahmin and Chhetri)
Matawali – Liquour drinking caste (Gurung, Rai, Limbu, Magar, etc)
Touchable – The caste from which water cannot be accepted but
their touch does not require
sprinkling of water.
Untouchable – The cast from which water cannot be accepted but
their touch does not require
sprinkling of water.
Brahm
in
Chhetri
Vaisya
Sudra
Despite the differences today various caste and ethnic group are
interrelated through
economic production, consumption, distribution. Recently, the
occupation, caste and their function
have begun to change due to the change in socio-political
environment.
;|f]tM Hofer
Andres-1979- the caste hierarchy and the state in Nepal: a study of Muluki Ain
of 1854 xs{ u'?+u, /fli6otf / hghftL @))$ jf6
Class
In sociologically, ‘class’ denotes to the social class. Specially,
in industrial societies, it is a type of social stratification. In simple term,
social class is that group of people who have equal property, prestige, power,
income, occupation, education and qualification in a society. Classes are
related to one another in terms of inequality or hierarchy.
Social class produces of social stratification in which a persons’
social status depends upon his or her achievement. Membership of a class in not
inherited as in the case of caste system. So, the boundaries between classes
are never rigid.
Karl Marx who is one of the founding fathers of sociology, had
divided the capitalist society into two classes on the basis of ownership and
non-ownership of property. One is bourgeoisie and the other is proletariat. The
bourgeoisie class wants to exploit to the proletariat whereas proletariat wants
to be free from the exploitation of bourgeoisie. The relationship between two
classes is a hostile. In this sense, the focal point for the class is an
economic factor on the basis of Marx but
economic factor is not only enough. There are other factors like
social, educational, etc.
a) “By social class, we mean one or two or more broad groups of
individuals who are ranked by the
members of the community in socially superior and inferior
positions.” – Ogburn and Nimkoff.
b) “A social class is a culturally defined group that is accorded
a particular position or status within
the population as a whole.” – Lapiere
Characteristic of Social Class
1) Hierarchy of group: The society is divided into different
classes such as upper class, middle
class, lower class, house class, homenot class, etc/
2) Class consciousness: All the individuals of class are very
conscious about their class interest and
aware of fulfilling their interest.
3) Gap between two groups: Due to the unequal distribution of the
production of society there is a
vast gap between the classes.
4) Vulnerability of conflict: According to Karl Max, there is
conflict in relation between rich class
and poor class. Rich class exploit the poor people whereas poor
people want to be free form that
exploitation.
S.N
|
Caste
|
Class
|
It
is a closed system.
|
It
is an open system.
|
|
Caste
is determined by birth.
|
Class
is determined by individuals performance.
|
|
Caste
is ascrib-oriented
|
Class
is achieved oriented
|
|
There
is restriction on choice of occupation.
|
No
restriction on the choice of occupation
|
|
Caste
is endogamy.
|
Class
is not endogamy
|
|
It
is mostly found in Hindu society.
|
It
is found throughout the world
|
Marriage as a social
institution
As a social institution
it stabilizes human society organizing it. Together with the evolution of
marriage, human society is also evolving in an organized and disciplined way.
Marriage contributes the establishment of family and kinship relationship.
Marriage is taken as an important social institution in each society since time
immemorial. Each society through social customs have instructed an what needs
to be done after marriage. Some of the fundamental requirements like
sexual intercourse, child bearing, and procurement of children are fulfilled
after marriage. Marriage is universal and is a continuously developed
institution in each epoch. Hence, it can be accepted as a permanent institution
of society.
Truth
is that a systematic familial life has been enjoyed after the evolution of
marriage. It is marriage, which gathered the disorganized humans. This social institution runs through
specific procedures. Or marriage is a procedural social institution. It has its
own traditions, assumption and customs. Collective activities are performed in
marriage for fulfilling basic requirements, which depend on social norms,
beliefs and cultures.
Social significance of
family as an institution
Family is a social
institution, which consists of mutual cooperation, relationship, dependency,
support, dedication within its members. Family, as a social institution,
performs various social, cultural and religious functions. It is the major base
of institutionalizing human relationship. Family itself is an institution or
organization, which consists of specific assumptions, status, discipline, role
of division of labor, tradition etc., through which members of a family are
interconnected with each other.
Different
Religions in Nepal
1. Hinduism
It was originated in
India and migrated to different parts of the world along with Indians.
There is no founder of
Hinduism. It all came through the writings of Saint, Rishimuni. It is supposed
to have started from the third millennium BC (approx 4000 yrs) and is the
oldest religion in the world. It is supposed to have 700 million followers of
Hinduism. It is a way of life. It includes why people are living? For what
people takes birth? Where will we reach after death? etc. The final authority
of Hinduism is Ved. There are four types of Ved.
a. Riga-ved (Oldest)
b. Sama-ved
c. Yajur-ved
d. Athr-ved
Authority of Hinduism
(Guide the Hindu religion) Smriti
- Ramayan,
Mahabharat, Geeta
- Puranas – 18 and
other sub-puranas
- Many dharma
shutras
Assumptions of Hindu
Religion
a. Universe is a big
sphere composed of land, ocean, heaven, hell, etc.
b. It believes in life
cycle. After death, the person returns.
c. Reincarnation -cjtf/_ h:tfsf] To:t} .
d. Rebirth – The soul
after the death of a person posses into another body and again to another
then another and so on.
e. Karma – The soul have
to born again to reap the fruit of action.
f. Moksha – This is the
ultimate goal of life. The state of birthlessness and deathlessness. A
point of time in the
journey of soul when it messages to infinite supreme soul.
3. Paths of Moksha (Key
Concept)
i. The path of Karma –
action
ii. The path of Gyana –
knowledge
iii. The path of Bhakti
– devotion
Four stages of life (Key
Concept)
1. Bramacharya Ashram –
for first 25 years to gain education
2. Grihasthi Ashram –
till 50 years to household and wealth incoming
3. Vanaprastha Ashram –
After 50 years till 75 years for detach themselves from world activities.
To do try to abandon the
household life for the sanyas ashram.
4. Sanyas Ashram –
Absolutely abandon of material life to eliminate the desire of life to achieve
the moksha. This period will be started after 75 years.
Four goals of life (Key
Concept)
a. Dharma: Religion,
duties
b. Artha : To earn money
c. Karma : To do good
work
d. Moksha : Absolutely
destroy of desire own self in the eleventh hour of life to get moksha. In
such a way to achieve
moksha one must follow four stages of life.
Four Varnas
a) Brahmin
b) Chhetri
c) Vaishya
d) Sudra
3 God or Trinity
a) Brahma – The creator
b) Vishnu – The preserver
c) Shiva – The destroyer
Buddhism
In the sixth century BC,
Siddhartha Gautam took birth in Lumbini of Nepal. He is the founder
of this religion and he
spread Buddhism in Nepal and India at initiation. This religion is based on the
teaching of Lord Buddha. Gautam was born as a prince pf “Shakya Class” of
Lumbini. He was born as a son of Suddhodhan and Mayadevi in 6th century. He took 7 steps on his birth to symbolize has role as a
universal monarchand left home and everthing at the age of 29 in search of
truth and peace of life. Although it arose from a rejection of Orthodox
Hinduism, Buddhism retained reincarnation as a fundamental concept.
Following his meditation
rising through higher state of consciousness he attained the only
enlightment. Afterwards’
he began to teach his disciplines wondering from place to place.
Buddhism analysis human
existence as made up of five aggregates which has subject to
continuous change. The
five aggregates are:
a. Material body
b. Feelings
c. Perceptions
d. Predisposition
e. Consciousness
It denies the special
role of God and denies the value of prayer and sacrifice to them.
The ultimate goal of
Buddhism is to attain NIRVANA and enlighted state where greed
ignorance, hatred,
suffering of life come to an end.
Islam
Islam – Arabic –
surrounder to the will of God. Muslims are the people who surrender to the
God. The religious text
book of this religion is Quran which is in Arabic language.
They believe in only one
God ‘Allah’ who creates this world and takes care (runs) of it and
will sustain it to till
the end. This religion was started in about 570 AD. ( But in some book written
as 7th century). It has 1 billion followers in the
world. It is the fastest growing religion of the world. The basic
infrastructure of Islam religion are:
a. “Allah” is the true
God and “Muhammad” is his messenger.
b. All the Muslims are
supposed to involve in ritual prayers.
c. Provide help/shelter
to the needy and poor people.
d. Fasting during the
‘Ramajan’ period/month.
e. They must visit (or
pay a visit) to the sacred place of “Allah” i.e. Macca in Arab at least in
his/her lifetime.
Pray – 5 times a day
a) dawn – fair of sub
b) noon – zuhr
c) mid afternoon – asr
d) sunset – maghrib
e) evening – isha
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