What is a society? Discuss its elements.

What will be an ideal response?

Answer: A society is a cooperative network of human relations, organized by flows of power and relatively distinct in its boundaries from other, analogous networks. Every society includes three interacting elements: (1) ideas, (2) institutions, and (3) material things. Ideas are intangible objects of thought that include values and ideologies. Values are enduring beliefs about which fundamental choices in personal and social life are correct. Ideologies are bundles of values that create a worldview. They establish the meaning of life or categories of experience by defining what is considered good, true, right, beautiful, and acceptable. Institutions are formal patterns of relations that link people to accomplish a goal. In modern societies, economic, political, cultural, legal, religious, military, educational, media, and familial institutions are salient. There are multiple economic institutions such as financial institutions, the corporate form, and markets. Collectively, these are called businesses. The third element in society is material things, including land, natural resources, infrastructure, and manufactured goods. Economic institutions, together with the extent of resources, largely determine the type and quantity of society's material goods.