Society and state are interrelated concepts but not interchangeable concepts. These both are important part of one another however, there are some factors through which dissimilarity could be analyzed between these two interrelated concepts. Given below are the factors or variable which clearly specify the distinction between society and state.
Territory
Specified geographic location or area is mandatory for the being of state whereas, society is not limited to a specific area. Every tribe, town, city, community, organization and country could be called society whereas, every tribe — community or organization could not be called state. Moreover, individuals within each society have their own ways of life or culture and two states might have a similar culture so it could be considered as a single society. Whereas, we cannot refer to two states as a single state because each state has its own territory for instance in Europe majority of people have similar ways of life therefore we call it European society but we cannot call an entire Europe a state because many states exist in Europe which are separated from one another through borders. These borders specify the territory of each state and those people who live within a given territory can enjoy the political as well as social rights.
Sovereignty
The element of sovereignty is must for the existence of state whereas, supremacy over territory, people and resources is not a mandatory element for the existence of society. Any group of people with culture large or small power or powerless — with or without resources and land even nomadic culture can be called society whereas, state has control over its territory, people and resources.
Scope
The study of society pertain all social activities men such as economic, family, cultural, religious and political whereas state focuses on political activities of men specially regulatory activities such as, laws, authority and policies.
Enforced and voluntary conduct
In state government is a formal organization which formulate, interpret and enforce laws to regulate the behavior of individuals in order to sustain peace and order within a given state for instance, if someone violate the state laws concerned government agencies will enforce negative sanctions on him or punish him. Whereas, the betterment of society depend on individuals voluntary conduct rather than enforced for instance, smoking is not against the state laws but if smokers’ voluntary quit smoking the society will become healthy.
Membership
It is necessary for an individual to be member or citizen of a state in order to enjoy the social and political rights. Whereas, membership of society is not necessary for an individual, he can become a part or member of any society by free will to enjoy the social environment.
Objectives
State objectives are very limited which are only confined to the welfare of citizens on the other hand society objectives are very vast not only limited to benefit a small group or a state but the whole humanity.
Laws
State laws are formulated, executed and amended by the government whereas, social environment or laws evolve naturally with the passage of time, society is not static but dynamic in nature therefore social structure and environment change with time.
Organization
Four elements are essential for the existence of state including, sovereignty, government, population and territory without one an organization cannot be called a state. On the other hand, society can be refer to any group of people which has particular ways of life or culture either in the presence or absence of four elements.
Written by; Khushdil Khan Kasi
