1.

Sociology
 Sociology is the study of human social relationships and institutions.
Sociology’s subject matter is diverse, ranging from crime to religion, from the
family to the state, from the divisions of race and social class to the shared
beliefs of a common culture, and from social stability to radical change in
whole societies.
 Sociology is an exciting and illuminating field of study that analyses and
explains important matters in our personal lives, our communities, and the
world.
 At the personal level, sociology investigates the social causes and
consequences of such things as romantic love, racial and gender identity,
family conflict, deviant behaviour, aging, and religious faith.
 At the societal level, sociology examines and explains matters like crime and
law, poverty and wealth, prejudice and discrimination, schools and education,
business firms, urban community, and social movements.
 At the global level, sociology studies such phenomena as population growth
and migration, war and peace, and economic development.

2. Importance of Sociology
The study of sociology has a great value especially in modem complex society.
Some of the uses of sociology are as follows .
1. Sociology studies society in a scientific way. Before the emergence of sociology,
there was no systematic and scientific attempt to study human society with all its
complexities. Sociology has made it possible to study society in a scientific manner.
This scientific knowledge about human society is needed in order to achieve progress
in various fields.

2. Sociology throws more light on the social nature of man. Sociology delves deep into
the social nature of man. It tells us why man is a social animal, why he lives in groups,
communities and societies. It examines the relationship between individual and
society, the impact of society on man and other matters.

3. Sociology improves our understanding of society and increases the power of social
action. The science of society assists an individual to understand himself, his
capacities, talents and limitations. It enables him to adjust himself to the
environment. Knowledge of society, social groups, social institutions, associations,
their functions etc., helps us to lead an e ective social life.'

4. The study of sociology helps us to know not only our society and men but also
others, their motives, aspirations, status, occupations, traditions, customs,
institutions, culture etc. In a huge, industrialised society our experience is
comparatively limited. We can hardly have a comprehensive knowledge of our society
and rarely have an idea regarding other societies. But we must have some insight into
an appreciation of the motives by which others live and the conditions under which
they exist. Such an insight we derive from the study of sociology.
5. The contribution of sociology is not less significant in enriching culture. Sociology
has given training to us to have rational approach to questions concerning ourselves,
our religion, customs, mores, institutions, values, ideologies, etc. It has made us to
become more objective, rational, critical and dispassionate. The study of societies has
made people to become broader minded. It has impressed upon its students to
overcome their prejudices, misconceptions. egoistic ambitions, and class and
religious hatreds. It has made our life richer, fuller and meaningful.

6. Another aspect of the practical side of sociology is the study of great social
institutions and the relations of individuals of each one of them. The home and
family, the school and education, the state and government, industry and work,
religion and morality, marriage and family, law and legislation, property and
government, etc. are some of the main institutions, through which our society
functions. More than that, they condition our life in countless ways. Knowledge of
sociology may help to strengthen them to serve man better.

7. Sociology is useful as a teaching subject too. Sociology is a profession in which

technical competence brings its own rewards. Sociologists, especially those trained in
research procedures, are in increasing demand in business, government, industry,
city planning, race relations, social work, social welfare, supervision, advertising.
communications, administration, and many other areas of community life. A few
years ago, sociologists could only teach sociology in schools and colleges. But
sociology has now become practical enough to be practiced outside of academic halls.
Careers apart from teaching are now possible in sociology. The various areas of
applied sociology are coming more and more into prominence in local, state, national
and international levels.

8. The need for the study of sociology is greater especially in underdeveloped

countries. Sociologists have now drawn the attention of economists regarding the
social factors that have contributed to the economic backwardness of a few countries.
Economists have now realised the importance of sociological knowledge in analysing
the economic a airs of a country.

9. The study of society is of paramount importance in solving social problems. The

present world is beset with several social problems of great magnitude like poverty,
beggary, unemployment, prostitution, over-population, family disorganisation,
community disorganisation, racial problems, crime, juvenile delinquency, gambling,
alcoholism, youth unrest, untouchability etc. A careful analysis of these problems is
necessary in order to solve them. Sociology provides such an analysis.

10. Sociological knowledge is necessary for understanding and planning of society.

Social planning has been made easier by sociology. Sociology is often considered a
vehicle of social reform and social reorganisation. It plays an important role in the
reconstruction of society.

11. The practical utility of sociological techniques: The techniques developed by the
sociologists and other social scientists are adopted by others. Let us think the
example of social survey. Developed and used mainly by sociologists and statisticians,
it has become an essential tool of market research and political polling. In the same
way, sociologists provide a great deal of information that is helpful in making
decisions on social policy.
12. Study of society has helped several governments to promote the welfare of the
tribal people. Not only the civilised societies, but even the tribal societies are faced
with several socio-economic and cultural problems. Studies conducted by
sociologists and anthropologists regarding tribal societies and problems have helped
many governments in undertaking various social welfare measures to promote the
welfare of the tribal people. E orts are now being made to treat the tribals on par with
the rest of the civilised people.

13. Sociology has drawn our attention to the intrinsic worth and dignity of man.
Sociology has been greatly responsible in changing our attitudes towards fellow
human beings. It has helped people to become catholic in outlook and broadminded
in spirit. It has made people to become tolerant and patient towards others. It has
minimised the mental distance and reduced the gap between di erent peoples and
communities.

14. Sociology is of great practical help in the sense, it keeps us up to date on modern
social situations and developments. Sociology makes us to become more alert
towards the changes and developments that take place around us. As a result, we
come to know about our changed roles and expectations and responsibilities. 15.
Finally, as Prof. Giddings has pointed out "Sociology tells us how to become what we
want to be".

3. NATURE OF SOCIOLOGY
Sociology, as a branch of knowledge, has its own unique characteristics. It is di erent
from other sciences in certain respects. An analysis of its internal logical
characteristics helps one to understand what kind of science it is. The following are
the main characteristics of sociology as enlisted by Robert Bierstedt in his book "The
Social Order".

1. Sociology is an Independent Science

Sociology has now emerged into an independent science. It is not treated and studied
as a branch of any other science like philosophy or political philosophy or history. As
an independent science it has its own field of study, boundary and method.

2. Sociology is a Social Science and not a Physical Science

Sociology belongs to the family of social sciences and not to the family of physical
sciences. As a social science it concentrates its attention on man, his social behaviour,
social activities and social life. As a member of the family of social sciences it is
intimately related to other social sciences like history, political science, economics,
psychology, anthropology etc. The fact that sociology deals with the social universe
distinguishes it from astronomy, physics, chemistry, geology, mathematics and
other physical sciences.

3. Sociology is a Categorical and not a Normative Discipline

Sociology "confines itself to statements about what is, not what should be or ought to
be". As a science, sociology is necessarily silent about questions of value. It does not
make any kind of value judgements. Its approach is neither moral nor immoral but
amoral. It is ethically neutral. It cannot decide the directions in which sociology
ought to go. It makes no recommendations on matters of social policy or legislation
or programme. But it does not mean that sociological knowledge is useless and serves
no purpose. It only means that sociology as a discipline cannot deal with problems of
good and evil, right and wrong, and moral or immoral.

4. Sociology is a Pure Science and not an Applied Science

A distinction is often made between pure sciences and applied sciences. The main aim
of pure sciences is the acquisition of knowledge, and it is not bothered whether the
acquired knowledge is useful or can be use. On the other hand, the aim of applied
science is to apply the acquired knowledge into life and to put it to use. Each pure
science may have its own applied field. For example, physics is a pure science and
engineering is its applied field. Similarly, the pure sciences such as economics,
political science, history, etc., have their applied fields like business, politics,
journalism respectively Sociology as a pure science has its applied field such as
administration, diplomacy, social work etc. Each pure science may have more than
one application.

Sociology is a pure science, because the immediate aim of sociology is the acquisition
of knowledge about human society, not the utilisation of that knowledge. Sociologists
never determine questions of public policy and do not recommend legislators what
laws should be passed or repealed. But the knowledge acquired by a sociologist is of
great help to the administrator, the legislator, the diplomat, the teacher, the foreman,
the supervisor, the social worker and the citizen. But sociologists themselves do not
apply the knowledge to life and use, as a matter of their duty and profession

5. Sociology is Relatively an Abstract Science and not a Concrete Science

This does not mean that sociology is an art and not a science. Nor does it mean, it is
unnecessarily complicated and unduly di cult. It only means that sociology is not
interested in concrete manifestations of human events. It is more concerned with the
form of human events and their patterns. For example, sociology is not concerned
with wars and revolutions but with war and revolution in general, as social
phenomena, as types of social conflict. Similarly, sociology does not confine itself to
the study of this society or that particular society or social organization, or marriage,
or religion, or group and so on. It is in this simple sense that sociology is an abstract
not a concrete science.

6. Sociology is a Generalising and not a Particularising or Individualising

Science
Sociology tries to find out the general laws or principles about human interaction and
association, about the nature, form, content and structure of human groups and
societies. It does not study each event that takes place in society. It is not possible
also. It tries to make generalisations based on the study of some selected events. For
example, a sociologist makes generalisations about the nature of secondary groups.
He may conclude that secondary groups are comparatively bigger in size, less stable.
not necessarily spatially limited, more specialised, and so on. This, he does, not by
examining all the secondary groups but by observing and studying a few.
7. Sociology is a General Science and not a Special Social Science
The area of inquiry of sociology is general and not specialised. It is concerned with
human interaction and human life in general. Other social sciences like political
science, history, economics etc., also study man and human interaction, but not all
about human interaction. They concentrate their attention on certain aspects of
human interaction and activities and specialise themselves in those fields.
Accordingly, economics specialises itself in the study of economic activities, political
science concentrates on political activities and so on. Sociology, of course, does not
investigate economy, religious, political legal, moral or any other special kind of
phenomena in relation to human life and activities as such. It only studies human
activities in a general way. This does not, however, mean that sociology is the basic
social science, nor does it imply sociology is the general social science. Anthropology
and social psychology often claim themselves to be general social sciences.

8. Finally, Sociology is Both a Rational and an Empirical Science

There are two broad ways of approach to scientific knowledge. One, known as
empiricism, is the approach that emphasises experience and the facts that result from
observation and experimentation. The other, known as rationalism, stresses reason
and the theories that result from logical inference.

The empiricist collects facts; the rationalist co-ordinates and arranges them.
Theories and facts are required in the construction of knowledge. In sociological
inquiry both are significant. A theory unsubstantiated by hard, solid facts is nothing
more than an opinion Facts, by themselves, in their isolated character, are
meaningless and useless. As Immanuel Kant said, "theories without facts are empty
and facts without theories are blind". All modern sciences, therefore, avail
themselves of both empirical and rational resources. Sociology is not an exception.

It is clear from the above that sociology is an independent, a social, a categorical, o

pure, an abstract, a generalising, both a rational and an empirical and a general social
science.

4. SCOPE OF SOCIOLOGY
Scope means the subject matter or the areas of study. Every science has its own field
of inquiry. It becomes di cult to study a science systematically unless its boundary
or scope is determined precisely. Sociology as a social science has its own scope or
boundaries. But there is no one opinion about the scope of Sociology.

There are two main schools of thought regarding the scope of Sociology: (1) The
Specialist or Formalistic school and (2) the Synthetic school.

(1) Specialistic school:

The supporters of this school of thought are George Simmel, Vierkandt, Max Weber,
Vonwise, and F. Tonnies. The main views of the school regarding the scope of
Sociology are –

(i) Sociology is a specific, pure and independent social science.

(ii) Sociology studies the various forms of social relationships.

(iii) Scope of Sociology is very narrow and limited.

(iv) Sociology deals with specific form of human relationship.

(v) Sociology need not study all the events connected with social science.

(vi) Simmel believes that it is a specific social science, and it should deal with social
relationships from di erent angles.

Criticism:
(i) Sociologist alone does not study the forms of social relationships. Other
social scientists also do that.

(ii) The distinction between the forms of social relations and their contents
is not practicable.

(iii) Thirdly, the formalistic school has narrowed down the scope of
Sociology.

(iv) Finally, the conception of pure Sociology is imaginary.

(2) Synthetic school:

The supporters of synthetic school are the sociologists like Ginsberg, Durkheim,
Comte, Sorokin, Spencer, F. Ward, and L.T. Hobhouse.

According to this school-

(i) Sociology is a general and systematic social science.

(ii) Scope of Sociology is very vast.

(iii) Sociology needs help from other social sciences.

(iv) It is a synthesis of social science.

(v) Sociology is closely related with other social sciences.

Conclusion:
From the above discussion, we come to know that formalistic school
believes in the study of the parts, which makes up the society and
synthetic school advocates the study of the whole society. However, both
the schools complement to each other. They are not opposed to each
other. Thus, Sociology is a general science of society and specialised
 discipline. Sociology is a growing science. Therefore, it is neither
possible nor desirable to restrict its scope.

(2) Synthetic school:

The supporters of synthetic school are the sociologists like Ginsberg, Durkheim,
Comte, Sorokin, Spencer, F. Ward, and L.T. Hobhouse.

According to this school-

(i) Sociology is a general and systematic social science.

(ii) Scope of Sociology is very vast.

(iii) Sociology needs help from other social sciences.

(iv) It is a synthesis of social science.

(v) Sociology is closely related with other social sciences.

Conclusion:
From the above discussion, we come to know that formalistic school believes in the
study of the parts, which makes up the society and synthetic school advocates the study
of the whole society. However, both the schools complement to each other. They are
not opposed to each other. Thus, Sociology is a general science of society and
specialised discipline. Sociology is a growing science. Therefore, it is neither possible
nor desirable to restrict its scope.

5. Relationship between Sociology and Anthropology

According to Hoebel, "Sociology and Social Anthropology are, in their broadest sense
one and the same". Evans Pritchard considers social anthropology a branch of
sociology. Sociology is greatly benefited by anthropological studies. Sociologists
must depend upon anthropologists to understand the present-day social phenomena
from our knowledge of the past which is often provided by anthropology. The studies
made by famous anthropologists like Radcli e Brown, B. Malinowski, Ralph Linton,
Lowie, Raymond Firth, Margaret Mead, Evans Pritchard and others, have been proved
to be valuable in sociology.

Sociological topics such as the origin of family, the beginning of marriage, private
property, the genesis of religion, etc, can better be understood in the light of
anthropological knowledge. The anthropological studies have shown that there is no
correlation between anatomical characteristics and mental superiority. The notion of
racial superiority has been disproved by anthropology.
 Di erences between Sociology and Anthropology

Sociology Anthropology

1. Sociology studies the modern, civilised and complex Anthropology concerns itself with the simple,
societies. uncivilised or primitive and non-literate societies.

2.Sociologists more often study parts of a society and Anthropologists tend to study societies in all their
generally specialise in institutions such as family, aspects as wholes. They concentrate their studies in
marriage, or processes, such as social change, social a giver "culture area", such as Melanesia or
mobility. Nagaland.

3.Sociologists study 'small' as well as 'large' societies. Anthropologists usually concentrate on small
societies such as those of Naga, Rengma Naga,
Khasis, Gond Bhil, etc.
4.Sociology makes use of observation, interview,
Anthropologists directly go and live in the
social survey, questionnaires and other methods and
communities they study. They make use of direct
techniques in its investigations.
observations an interview.

6. History and Sociology

History
History is the reconstruction of man's past. It is the story of mankind. It is a record of
the experience the human past. It is systematic record of man's life and achievement
from the dim past to the present. The historian studies the significant events of men
in the order of time. The historian is Interested in what happened at a particular time
in the past. The historian concentrates only on the past. He is not interested in the
present and is unwilling to look to the future still history provides the connecting link
for the present and the future. It is said that history is the microscope of the past, the
horoscope of present and the telescope of the future.

Sociology
Sociology as a science of society, on the other hand is interested in the present. It
tries to analyse human interactions and interrelations with all their complexity and
diversity. It also studies the historical development of societies. It studies various
stages of human life, modes of living, customs, manners and their expression in the
form of Sociology social institutions and associations. was there to depend upon
history for its material.
History Supplies Information to Sociology:
History is a storehouse of records, a of knowledge. It supplies materials to various
social science. Including sociology. History contains records even regarding social
matter. It contains information about the di erent stages of Rumman life, modes of
living, customs and manners, social institutions, etc. The information about the past
is of great help to a great help to a sociologist. A sociologist must make use of the
historical a record. for example, if to wants to study marriage and family as social
institutions, he must study their historical development also.

Sociology Helps History Too:

Historian also uses sociology. Until recently it was perhaps from philosophy that the
historian took his clues to important problems and Historical concepts and ideas. But
now these are drawn increasingly from sociology. Induce we can see that modern
historiography. increasingly sociology in similar and have both been influence. ways
by the philosophy of history.

Further sociology provides the social ground for the study of History. History is now
be studied and read from the sociological point of view. It is said that history would be
meaningless without the appreciation of socially significant event.
 Di erences between History and Sociology
Sociology History
1. Sociology is interested in the study of the present History deals with the past events of man. It is
social phenomena with all their complexity. silent regarding the present.

2. Sociology is relatively a young social science. It has History is an age-old social science. It has a long
a very short history of its own. It is not even two story of 2000 years or even more.
centuries old.

3. Sociology is an analytical science. History is a descriptive science.

4. Sociology is abstract in nature. It studies mostly History is concrete. The historian is interested in
regular, the recurrent and the universal. For example, the unique, the particular and the individual. For
the sociologist does not study all the wars or battles example, the historian studies all the wars waged
waged by the mankind. But he is interested in war by mankind in the past the Wars, the World Wars,
itself as a social phenomenon, as one kind of conflict the Indo-Pak War, etc. For him, each war is unique
between two groups. and significant.

5. Sociology is a generalising science. Socio- logy History is an individualising science. History rarely
seeks to establish generalisations after a careful study makes generalisations. It seeks to establish the
of the social phenomena. sequence in which events occurred.

6. Sociology follows the sociological approach. It History studies human events in accordance with
studies human events from the sociological point of the time order. Its approach is historical.
view. i.e., from the viewpoint of social relationships
involved.

SOCIOLOGY AND POLITICAL SCIENCE

Political Science.
Political Science deals with the political activities of man. It studies social groups
organized under the sovereignty of the state. It studies man as a ruler and being ruled.
Laski, Gettell and Gilchrist, the eminent political scientists, are of the opinion that
the scope of political science embraces the study of both State and Government

Political Science has its own topics such as the origin, evolution and functions of
state, the forms of government, types of constitution, administration, law,
legislation, international relations, methods of political representation, election
political movements, political ideologies, etc. "Political science is an historical
investigation of what the state has been, an analytical study of what the state ix, and a
politico-ethical discussion of what the state should be.
Sociology Has its Roots in Politics
Morris Ginsberg writes:
"Historically, sociology has its main roots in politics and philosophy of history" The
main works on social subjects such as Plato's Republic, the Politics of Aristotle,
Arthhastra of Kautilya, The Laws and Republic of Cicero and other classical works
were treated to be complete works on political science. Only recently distinction
between the two has been clearly made.

Relationship between Sociology and Political Science

Political Science and Sociology are so intimately connected as Garner said that the
"political is embedded in the social that if political science remains distinct from
sociology, it will be because of the breadth of the field calls for the specialist, not
because there are any well-defined boundaries marking it o from sociology". Both
the sciences are mutually helpful in fact, political activity is only a part of social
activity. Thus, political science appears to be a branch of sociology However, we
cannot say that political science is just Political sociology.

Politics is after all the reflection of society. This is made clear by the common saying,
that people have the government which they deserve. Political science gives sociology
facts about the organisation and functions of the state and government. Political
science derives from sociology a knowledge of the origin of the political authority
Political science is concerned with the state.

Views of Various Thinkers

The interrelationship of political science and sociology has been stressed by some
thinkers.

 Prof. Giddings says that to teach the theory of the state to men who have not
learnt the first principles of sociology is like teaching astronomy or
thermodynamics to men who have not learnt the Newtonian Laws of Motion".

 F.G. Wilson remarks that "it must be admitted, of course. that it is often
di cult to determine, whether a particular writer should be considered a
sociologist, political theorist or philosopher".

 Comte and Spencer, there is no di erence whatsoever between the two. G.E.C.
Catlin has remarked that political science and sociology are two facets or
aspects of the same figure.
 Di erences between Sociology and Political Science
Sociology Political Science

1. Sociology is a science of society. Political Science is a science of state and

government.

2. Sociology studies all kinds of societies, organised Political Science studies only the politically
as well as unorganised. organised societies.

3. Sociology has a wider scope. Political Science has a narrower field.

4. Sociology studies man as fundamentally a social Political Science studies man as a political animal.
animal.

5. Sociology is a general social science. Hence it Political Science is a special social science, because it
studies all kinds or forms of social relations in a concentrates only on the human relationships which
general way. are political in character.

6. The approach of sociology is sociological. It The approach of political science is Political. It has
follows its own methods in addition to the scientific its own methods of study like the historical method,
method, in its investigations. philosophical method, comparative method,
statistical method, etc.

7. Finally, sociology is quite young. It is not even two Political science is an older science comparatively. It
centuries old. has centuries of history of its own right from days of
Plato

SOCIOLOGY AND ECONOMICS

Sociology and economics as social sciences have close relations. Relationship
between the two is so close that one is often treated as the branch of the other.
According to Thomas, "Economics is, in fact, but one branch of the comprehensive
science of sociology....".

In the words of Silverman, "It may be regarded for ordinary purposes, as an o shoot
of the parent science of sociology, which studies the general principles of all social
relations". But this does not mean that economics is a branch of sociology.

Economics:
Economics deals with the economic activities of man.

 Dr. Alfred Marshall defines economics as "On the one side the study of wealth
and on the other and more important side a part of the study of man".
  Prof. Lionel Robbins defines economics as "the sciences of human behaviour
in its relations with ends and scarce means which have alternative uses".
 Economics studies man as a wealth-getter and a wealth disposer. Wealth
constitutes the central problem of economics It studies the interrelations of
purely economic factors and forces: the relations of price and supply, money
flows, input- output ratios and the like.

Mutually Helpful
 Economics and sociology are helpful to each other. Economic relationships
bear a close relation to social activities. At the same time social relationships
are also a ected by economic activities.

Social Interpretation of Economic Changes

Some economists, like Sombart, Max Weber, Pareto, Oppenheimer, Schumpeter have
explained economic change as an aspect of social change. According to them, the
study of economics would be incomplete without an understanding of human society.
Economic system is embedded in the social structure as a part of it. The society, its
structures, its organisations, its institutions, its strength and weaknesses etc., are
bound to a ect the economic activities of its people. That is why a celebrated modern
economist has said that "Economics must be made the handmaid of sociology".

Max Weber, a German sociologist, made classical attempt to show how social factors,
and particularly, religious beliefs and practical ethics influence the economic
activities of people. His contention is that the progressive protestant ethic provided
the stimulus to the rapid growth of capitalism in the West, whereas Hinduism and
Buddhism, with their so-called fatalistic approach, failed to stimulate the growth of
capitalism in the East.

Economic Interpretations of Social Changes

 According to Marx, the infrastructure of a society is nothing but the economic
relations among its people. However, there is a growing awareness among
social scientists about the mutual interplay between the economic and non-
economic forces of society.
 Knowledge of property system, division of labour, occupations, industrial
organisation, etc., is provided by a sociologist to an economist. Such matters
as labour relations, standard of living, employer employee relations, social
classes, socio-economic planning, socio-economic reforms, etc., are common
to both economists and sociologists.
 The area of co-operation between sociology and economics is widening.
Economists are now analysing the social factors influencing economic growth.
Economists are working with the sociologists in their study of the problems of
economic development in underdeveloped countries. Economists are more and
more making use of the sociological concepts and generalisations in the study
of economic problems.
 Di erences between Sociology and Economics

Sociology Economics

1. Sociology studies all kinds of social relationships. But economics deals with only those social
relationships which are economic in character.

Economics is a special social science.

2. Sociology is a general social science.

The scope of economics is narrower. It does not have

3. The scope of sociology seems to be wider. It has a
a comprehensive viewpoint.
comprehensive viewpoint.
Economics has attained an advanced degree of
4. Sociology is a science of recent emergence.
maturity.

Economics is concrete in nature. It is more precise.

5. Sociology is abstract in nature and less precise
Economic variables can be measured and quantified
also. Social variables are very di cult to measure
more easily and accurately.
and to quantify.