Herbert Spencer | Introduction to Sociology

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Herbert Spencer | Introduction to Sociology

Published by: Nuru

Published date: 15 Jun 2021

Herbert Spencer [PHOTO]

Herbert Spencer (1820-1903)

Biography in brief:

Herbert Spencer was a British social thinker, intellect, engineer, editor, and prolific writer of modern times. He was from a middle-class family and received his basic education from his father. Due to ill health, he could receive his formal education. He had more scientific education got from his father and uncle.

He worked as an engineer on the railway in Birmingham. He became the chief editor of 'An Economics' very popular journal at that time. As a voracious reader, he had deep knowledge in social sciences like economics, politics, history, philosophy, sociology, and other history genres.

He was highly influenced by Charles Darwin as he has got several ideas from the book 'survival of the fittest. He also coined the term 'Socio-Darwinism'.

Findings:

  • He was of opinion that the evolutionary principle can be applied to human society as an organism.
  • Both the organisms and society grow from simple to complex, uniform to multi-form, and homogeneity to heterogeneity.
  • He identified four types of societies in terms of evolutionary development; simple, compound, doubly, and treble compound societies.
  • He invented that evolution proceeds from military society to industrial society.

Description of Military society and Industrial society

Characteristics Military Society Industrialized Society
Dominant function Corporate defensive and offensive activity for preservation and aggrandization. Peaceful, mutual rendering of individual services
Principle of Social co-ordination Compulsory; regimentation by reinforcement of orders, both positive and negative regulation by activity Voluntary co-operation regulation by contact and principles of justice
Relations between state and individual The individual exists for the benefit of the state, restrains on liberty property, and mobility The state exists for the benefit of individuals, freedom and restrains on property and mobility
Structure of state Centralized Decentralized
Types of Economic Activity Economic autonomy and self-sufficiency Laws of economic autonomy, interdependence via peaceful trade
Structure of Social Stratification Fixity of rank, occupation, and locality, the inheritance of positions Plasticity and openness of rank, occupation, and locality, movement of between positions
Valued Social and personal characters Patriotism, courage, reverence, loyalty, obedience, faith in authority, and discipline Independence, respect for others, resistance to coercion, individual initiative, truthfulness, and kindness