“Herbert spencer” classified the social organization into, two types “militant society” and “industrial society”. In “Militant society” political organization is centralized and societal goal is concerning warfare and defense whereas, social goal of “industrial society” is production and delivering services, its political organization structure is decentralized. Herbert spencer theory of social evolution is based on the natural selection. He believed in the non-interference of state in sustaining and distributive systems of society. According to him, Centralized social system, hinders the social evolution. However, despite all the restrictions and laws industrial system has emerged and progressed. He argued that, government should not be involved in the regulation of market forces, for the reason that, it will limit the intellectual development of individuals in a society. The characteristics of “militant society” and “industrial society” are given below.
Characteristics of Militant Society
Social organization of militant society is centralized, communication, information, production, services and media every institution is under the regulatory authority of state. Dictatorship and monarchy are the examples of militant society. The prime objective of militant society is warfare and defense, society which do not have good relation with neighboring societies are turned into militant society. Militant society always have external and internal threat. Internal threat is from the individuals living in militant society because every aspect of their life is controlled by state. Individual do not possess the right of liberty in such society. As mentioned above that centralized social system is considered as obstacle in the evolution process and progress of society. Militant social organization is found in the early stages of social evolution. When the structure of society was simple. As the society moves towards, the advance stage of super organic evolution, its structure become more complex and decentralized, which is characterized by “Herbert spencer” as “industrial society”.
Characteristics of Industrial Society
“Industrial society” is decentralized social organization. In such type of social organization individuals have liberty and equal rights. Government do not involve in regulating markets and production units. Production units are utilized to satisfy the needs of individual by producing goods and services for them. However, in “militant society” industrial units are used to satisfy warfare needs. Industrial society is more progressive than “militant society”. Individual have free will to use their intellect and turn it in to something productive. In decentralized social organization people have equal opportunities whereas, in centralized system few people benefits by misuse of power.
