Page 7 - Lessonnote_Social Change and Social Order in Rural and Urban Society
P. 7
• For the proper and smooth functioning of the society the different
organisations and institutions of the social system must be properly
integrated. This is possible through social control.
Power:
o Modern societies depend on some form of power or coercion to ensure
that institutions and individuals conform to established social norms.
o Power is the ability to make others do what you want regardless of what
they themselves want.
o Different forms of power exist in society i.e
1) Domination
2) Authority
3) Law
Domination, Authority and Law
Domination:
❖ If a social entity (a person, institution or group) is routinely or habitually
in a position of power, it is said to be dominant.
❖ Dominant group has decisive influence on society. It is quite similar to
forced cooperation as people do things that they don’t want but without
creating conflict.
Authority:
❖ Legitimacy refers to the degree of acceptance that is involved in power
relations.
❖ Legitimate is accepted as proper, just and fitting.
❖ Authority is defined by max Weber as legitimate power i.e power
considered to be justified or proper.
❖ For ex- teacher, a judge, police officer exercise different kinds of
authority as part of their jobs.
