There is an argument about the absence of an ideal society. Additionally, it is argued that there is no such thing as an ideal society but what should be noted is that there are fundamentals and concepts that can be used in categorization and attainment of an ideal society. An ideal society, as Auguste Comte puts it, is one which should advocate for positivism. Basically, it should be all-inclusive and considerate to the needs of everyone. Understanding an ideal society involves researching the key components of an ideal society, analyzing these key components based on theoretical frameworks and research, as well as critiquing the impact of society on people.
Key Components
Sociology can be termed as the study and analysis of social problems. Additionally, it can be understood as the processes and aspects incorporated in enhancing understanding of human society by studying its development, its structure, as well as its functioning. There are many specialized fields which encompass sociology and community/society is one of these fields (Wilson, 2017). Analysis of key components of society involves analysis of key components that define an ideal society. In this case scenario, the ideal society is the community which is one of the many specific fields that make up sociology. Key components of a community (which can also be termed as basic components) are five in total and they include; culture, social organizations, social institutions, population, and material products (Gans, 2017). A community that is properly developed and well-structured is such that it has a population of people residing within certain margins and the same population should have a culture which defines the community’s beliefs and way of life. Moreover, a community should be such that it has social organizations which play the role of defining how different sections and groups within the community are organized to enhance interaction and social change. Social institutions form another key component of a community and it defines the religion of the given community, its family structure, as well as the community’s education system (Gans, 2017). Material products also form part of the key component of a community in that it defines all the tangible components that are required for prosperity and effective co-existence.
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In a communal setup, which is the society considered in this paper, there are certain features that define an ideal community. For instance, an ideal community should be such that it has an all-inclusive culture that embraces and promotes diversity. The advantage that comes with a community having such a component is that there is inclusivity and segregation is avoided as well as unfair treatment aimed at diminishing certain cultures. However, the communities that we reside in are such that they do not embrace diversity as there is always the battle of supremacy as cultures try to outdo and outshine each other. An ideal community also embraces security and the wellbeing of people is not threatened. It should be the case although there are many instances of insecurity and life-threatening events. A well-established medical care is also another component of an ideal community. Different communities have well established medical care systems while there are those that do not have such systems.
Theory and Research
There are different theories and research that aim at explaining the components and aspects that comprise an ideal society. In the case of an ideal community, Karl Popper’s vision of democracy is an example of theory and research-based concept that tends to define and break down an ideal society. Popper’s ideal community is one which has embraced and adopted open democracy. According to his model, Karl Popper’s vision of democracy, it argues that an ideal society is one which can be able to base its fundamentals on open democracy (Caldwell, 2016). By open democracy, Popper seeks to advocate for open criticism as well as open diversity that does not lead to violence and does not lead to the social division which is irreconcilable (Hacohen, 2019). Thus, an ideal society is one which embraces criticism openly as well as diversity, but this should not lead to violence or any form of social division that is irreconcilable.
Karl Marx’s theory of Marxism is another example of a theory that can be used to define an ideal community. Marxism explains the differences in class relations and how the differing class relations lead to social conflicts. Using this theory, an ideal society should be such that there is no discrimination between classes. Bourgeoisie, as well as proletariat, should not be part of an ideal society (Oakley, 2015). However, Karl Marx explains that capitalism is fighting to enhance and intensify the rift between the Bourgeoisie and the proletariat which is leading to exploitation of people for the benefit of others (Epstein & Leoni, 2017). All the same, an ideal society should not succumb to the views portrayed and supported by Marxism. Comte, Spencer, and Marx hold different perspectives on an ideal society. However, it is Auguste Comte concept of an ideal society that should be adopted considering that in his theory he advocates for positivism and positivism triumphs negativity.
People
The society impacts the way people behave and interact in that it can advocate for inclusivity or it can prompt people to incorporate segregation. A society that is characterized by a diverse culture will be reflected on people in that people will be willing and open to interact with one another positively despite their race and cultural differences. However, Fiske (2018) explains that a society that is based on ideals of segregation and discrimination will result to poor relations of people with different cultures and races leading to unfair treatment of individuals in communal set-ups.
Society also influences people in that it affects the career paths that people take and the choices they make on the jobs they want to pursue. In detail, society can pressure one to abide by societal definitions and expectations of success as well as status (Fiske, 2018). Moreover, society influences one to abide by its expectations of financial stability and gender roles. Abiding by these expectations and societal definitions leads one to pursue careers they are not passionate about and end up leading lives that are not fulfilling. Society also impacts our lives by limiting the way people behave as well as encouraging people to lie all aimed at making people fit in.
Conclusion
Conclusively, there is no ideal society, but there are measures that can be taken to have such a society. Such a society should be based on certain components that advocate for the wellbeing of everyone as well as positively impact the lives of people in a community. A community, which is one field of sociology, forms the perfect set up through which an ideal society can be developed and enhanced.
References
Caldwell, B. (2016). Hayek and Popper: on rationality, economism, and democracy .
Epstein, R. A., & Leoni, B. (2017). Karl Marx’S Capital, 100 Years Later. In Law, Liberty, and the Competitive Market (pp. 127-145). Routledge.
Fiske, S. T. (2018). Controlling other people: The impact of power on stereotyping. In Social Cognition (pp. 101-115). Routledge.
Gans, H. J. (2017). Sociology and social policy: essays on community, economy, and society . Columbia University Press.
Hacohen, M. H. (2019). Karl Popper, the Open Society, and the Cosmopolitan Democratic Empire. In The Impact of Critical Rationalism (pp. 189-205). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
Oakley, A. (2015). The making of Marx's critical theory (RLE Marxism): A bibliographical analysis . Routledge.
Wilson, T. P. (2017). Normative and interpretive paradigms in sociology. In Everyday Life (pp. 57-79). Routledge.
