(a) Define society (b) identify for features of a society

(a) Definition of society

A society is a large group of people who live together in a definite geographical area, share a common culture, interact with one another and are organised under a common system of authority and rules for their collective survival and welfare. It is an organised body of persons bound together by shared values, institutions and relationships within a defined territory.

(b) Features of a society

1. A group of people (population): A society is made up of a number of human beings living together; a single individual cannot form a society.
2. A definite territory: The people occupy a particular geographical area or location that they can call their own.
3. Common culture: Members share a common way of life, including language, customs, values, beliefs, norms and traditions that bind them together.
4. Social interaction and relationships: The people relate and interact with one another continuously, cooperating and depending on one another for their needs.
5. Organisation and structure: A society has an established pattern of organisation, with institutions such as the family, government, religion and the economy that regulate the behaviour of its members.
6. A system of authority and rules: There are recognised rules, laws, norms and authority that govern conduct and maintain order among the members.
7. Common interests and goals: Members pursue shared aims and interests, such as security, welfare and continuity, that promote their collective survival.
8. Continuity and permanence: A society persists over time, outliving individual members through reproduction and the transmission of culture to new generations.