1

Community

Introduction

Community is a fundamental sociological concept that emphasizes the importance of shared

living among individuals in close proximity.

- Historical Foundation: Community life has existed alongside human civilization, with

individuals inherently reliant on groups for survival and social interaction.

- Proximity and Relationships: Individuals establish connections with those living nearby,

leading to mutual relationships and a sense of belonging.

- Common Life and Culture: Residents of a community share customs, traditions, and social

ideas, fostering cooperation and fellow feelings.

- Definition: A community is formed when individuals live together in a specific area, sharing

basic life conditions rather than particular interests.

- Unity: Sociologists view community as a reflection of the unified social life of its members.

In essence, communities are essential for creating bonds and shared identities among individuals

in a defined geographical space, facilitating social cohesion and cultural continuity.

Origin and Growth of Community

- Historical Roots: Communities have existed since the dawn of humanity, serving as the

foundational setting for human civilization.

 2

- Nomadic Beginnings: Early humans lived a nomadic life, constantly searching for food until

they learned to settle in fertile areas, primarily near rivers.

- Formation of Communities: As groups of families settled together, they began to share

experiences, leading to a common way of life and the formation of communities.

- Expansion and Development: Over time, these communities grew in complexity, developing

socio-economic, cultural, and political relationships that resulted in various institutions.

- Sociological Contributions: Notable sociologists like Ferdinand Tönnies, Louis Wirth, Émile

Durkheim, Robert Redfield, and R.M. MacIver have contributed significantly to the

understanding of community in sociology.

In essence, community life originated from the need for cooperation and shared living among

humans and has evolved into complex social structures through interaction and institution-

building.

Meanings of Community

R.M. MacIver defines community as a local grouping where individuals engage in various life

activities within a shared territory, emphasizing the unity of common life. The term originates

from Latin, meaning "together" and "serving." A community consists of geographical, social,

and psychological aspects, where members establish relationships and develop a sense of

belonging or "we-feeling." Despite common misuses of the term in everyday discourse, its

sociological meaning encompasses both small and large communities, highlighting the coherence

and shared interests among members, which distinguishes them from others.
 3

Definitions of Community

1. According to MacIver, “Community is an area of social living marked by some degree of

social coherence.” This definition emphasizes the interconnectedness and harmony among

individuals within a community, highlighting the importance of social relationships in creating a

cohesive environment.

2. According to kingsley Davis, “Community is the smallest territorial group that can embrace all

aspects of social life”. This implies that a community must be geographically defined and

capable of encompassing various social activities, reflecting the idea that all dimensions of social

existence are interrelated within a local context.

3. According to ogburn and Nimkoff, “Community is the total organization of social life within a

limited area”. This definition underscores the comprehensive nature of community, suggesting

that it includes all social interactions, institutions, and relationships that exist within a defined

geographic boundary.

4. According to [Link], “Community is a social group with some degree of ‘we-feeling’

and living in a given area’. This highlights the significance of shared identity and emotional

connection among members, which fosters a sense of belonging and social solidarity.

5. According to Arnold [Link], “ A community is cluster of people, living within a contiguous

small area, who share a common way of life”. This definition points to the geographical

proximity of individuals and their shared lifestyles, emphasizing the role of cultural and social

practices in defining community.

 4

6. According to [Link], “Community is a human population living within a limited

geographic area and carrying on a common inter-dependent life”. This definition highlights

interdependence and mutual reliance among community members, which are crucial for

sustaining social life.

7. According to karl Manheim, community is “any circle of people who live together and belong

together in such a way that they do not share this or that particular interest only, but a whole set

of interest”. This broadens the understanding of community to include diverse interests and

relationships that bind individuals together.

8. According to T. Parsons, “A community is that collectivity the members of which share a

common territorial area as their base of operation for daily activities”. This emphasizes the

geographical aspect of community as a foundation for social interactions and daily life.

9. According to Morris Ginsberg, “Community is a group of social beings living a common life

including all the infinite variety and complexity of relations which result from that common life

which constitutes it”. This definition acknowledges the complexity and richness of social

interactions within a community.

10. According to Sutherland, “A community is a local area over which people are using the same

languages, conforming to the same mores, feeling more or less the same sentiments and acting

upon the same attitudes”. This definition emphasizes shared cultural norms and values that unite

individuals within a community.

11. According F.L. Lumley, “A community may be defined as a permanent local aggregation of

people having diversified as well as common interests and served by a constellation of

 5

institutions”. This highlights both the diversity of interests within a community and the role of

institutions in facilitating social life.

12. According to H.T. Majumdar, “Community comprises the entire group sympathetically

entering into a common life within a given area, regardless of the extent of area or state

boundaries”. This definition emphasizes the social ties and shared life experiences that define

community, transcending geographical limitations.

Together, these definitions illustrate that a community is characterized by geographic proximity,

shared interests and values, social coherence, and interdependence among its members, forming

a complex social fabric that sustains human life.

Characteristics of Community

The characteristics of a community, as outlined by MacIver, distinguish it from other social

groups. These characteristics include:

1. Population: A community must consist of a group of people, either small or large, who live

together and share a common life, forming a strong sense of community consciousness.

2. Definite Territory: Communities are territorial groups residing in a defined area, fostering

bonds of unity and solidarity.

3. Community Sentiment: A strong sense of belonging, or "we-feeling," among members is

essential for the formation of a community, which arises from shared experiences and long-term

living in a specific territory.

4. Naturality: Communities grow naturally and spontaneously, not through human design or legal

creation, often resulting in membership by birth.

 6

5. Permanence: Communities are characterized by the permanent presence of individuals within

a defined territory, contrasting with temporary groups like crowds.

6. Similarity: Members of a community typically share similarities in language, culture, customs,

and traditions, contributing to a collective community sentiment.

7. Wider Ends: Community members associate for a variety of purposes, rather than for a single

goal, reflecting the multifaceted nature of communal life.

8. Total Organized Social Life: A community encompasses all aspects of social life, functioning

as a miniature society.

9. A Particular Name: Each community is identified by a unique name, which distinguishes its

members from others.

10. No Legal Status: Communities lack legal status and are not considered legal persons,

meaning they do not possess rights or duties under the law.

11. Concrete Nature: Communities have a tangible existence, observable in their interactions and

social structures.

These characteristics collectively define the essence of a community, emphasizing the

importance of social relationships, shared experiences, and a sense of belonging among its

members.

Types of Community

Communities can be classified into several types based on their size, structure, and

characteristics:
 7

1. Great Community: These are large, complex social structures like nations or metropolises

characterized by diverse organizations and specialized roles. Relationships in great communities

tend to be more impersonal due to the larger population.

2. Little Community: Smaller, close-knit groups such as villages or tribes fall into this category.

They are distinct and homogenous, fostering self-sufficiency. However, little communities are

becoming less common due to urbanization and industrial development.

3. Rural Community: These communities are located in rural areas and are primarily composed

of agricultural societies, such as villages and tribes. They are often characterized by strong social

ties and shared cultural practices.

4. Urban Community: Found in cities and towns, urban communities are marked by diversity and

a dynamic mix of cultures. They typically feature a wide range of social interactions and

lifestyles.

Each type of community contributes to the broader social fabric and influences the interactions

and identities of their members. For more detailed explorations, consider sources like

sociological textbooks or community studies literature.

Distinctions between Society and Community

The distinctions between society and community are fundamental in sociology, highlighting their

different characteristics:

1. Definition: Society is a complex network of social relationships among individuals, while

community refers to a group of people living together in a specific locality with a sense of unity

or "we-feeling."
 8

2. Locality: Society does not have a defined geographic boundary; it is universal and pervasive.

In contrast, community is always tied to a particular area.

3. Sentiment: Community sentiment is essential for a community's formation; without it, a

community cannot exist. Society, on the other hand, may or may not exhibit such sentiment and

focuses more on organizational structure.

4. Nature: Society is abstract, existing in the minds of its members, while community is concrete,

having physical existence and being identifiable by its members living in a specific area.

5. Scope: Society is a broader concept that encompasses multiple communities. Community is

narrower, consisting of smaller groups within the larger societal framework.

6. Similarity vs. Difference: Society encompasses both similarities and differences among

individuals, whereas community is primarily based on shared characteristics and similarities.

7. Goals: Society has wider, more varied ends, while communities typically pursue more general

or common goals.

8. Size: Communities can vary in size, from small villages to larger groups, but societies are

generally large, comprising many communities.

Understanding these distinctions can clarify how individuals relate to one another within

different social contexts. For more in-depth information, consider resources such as sociological

textbooks or articles from academic journals.

 9

Different Theoretical Perspectives of Community

1. Functionalist Perspective:

- From a functionalist viewpoint, communities are seen as essential parts of society that

contribute to stability and cohesion. They provide social support, establish shared values, and

fulfill the basic needs of their members. The perspective emphasizes the role communities play

in socializing individuals and integrating them into broader societal systems. Communities

maintain order by promoting a sense of belonging and shared identity.

2. Conflict Perspective:

- Conflict theorists view communities as spaces where power struggles occur between different

groups. This perspective argues that communities are shaped by inequality and competition over

resources, such as wealth, status, and political influence. Dominant groups within a community

may use their power to marginalize others, creating social tensions. The conflict perspective also

highlights the role of class, race, and gender in community dynamics, emphasizing issues of

exclusion and domination.

3. Symbolic Interactionist Perspective:

- This perspective focuses on the micro-level interactions between individuals within a

community. It examines how community members create and maintain shared meanings through

daily interactions and communication. Symbolic interactionists study how people's sense of

identity and belonging is shaped by their participation in community life, and how symbols,

rituals, and traditions strengthen community bonds.

 10

4. Ecological Perspective:

- Rooted in the Chicago School of Sociology, the ecological perspective analyzes how

communities develop and change over time in relation to their physical environment. It explores

how different populations interact with their environment, resources, and each other. This

perspective looks at factors such as urbanization, migration, and environmental changes to

explain how communities grow, adapt, or decline.

5. Feminist Perspective:

- Feminist theorists critique how traditional communities may perpetuate gender inequalities by

reinforcing patriarchal norms and roles. They study how women's experiences within

communities differ from men's and how communities can both support and challenge gender-

based power dynamics. Feminist perspectives also examine the role of women in building

community resilience and activism, especially in marginalized or minority groups.

6. Postmodern Perspective:

- Postmodern sociologists challenge the traditional notions of community by emphasizing the

fluid, fragmented, and diverse nature of social life in contemporary societies. This perspective

highlights how globalization, technology, and individualization have transformed the way people

connect and form communities, moving away from geographically bound communities to virtual

or interest-based communities.

Each perspective offers a distinct approach to understanding communities, from their functions

and inequalities to their symbolic meanings and environmental interactions. These frameworks

help explain the complexity and diversity of communities across different social contexts.