A society is a self-reproducing grouping of individuals occupying a particular territory, which may have its own distinctive culture and institutions. As culture is generally considered unique to humans, the terms "society" and "human society" have the same meaning. "Society," may refer to a particular people, such as the Nuer, to a nation state, such as Austria, or to a broader cultural group, such as Western society.

Origin and usage

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The English word society emerged in the 15th century and is derived from the French société. The French word, in turn, had its origin in the Latin societas, a "friendly association with others," from socius meaning "companion, associate, comrade or business partner." Thus the meaning of society is closely related to what is considered to be social. Implicit in the meaning of society is that its members share some mutual concern or interest, a common objective or common characteristics. As such, society is often used to mean the collective citizenry of a country as directed through national institutions concerned with civic welfare.

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NPR Topics: Politics

What Is The American Constitution Party, Tom Tancredo's New Home?
Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:27:00 -0400
Former Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo is in the process of leaving the GOP to run for governor as a candidate of the American Constitution Party.  Here's what the party stands for.
Today's Junkie Segment On TOTN: Colorado's Bennet And Romanoff Spar
Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:16:00 -0400
The Democratic Senate primary in Colorado between incumbent Michael Bennet and challenger Andrew Romanoff was the lead subject in today's Political Junkie segment on NPR's Talk of the Nation.  Both candidates appeared on the show via phone.
Arizona Immigration Law Raises Issue Of Record-Keeping
Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:45:00 -0400
Practices vary from state to state on how long records are kept after innocent persons are stopped by police.

The Talk of the Town

James Surowiecki: Wall Street, the White House, and the weak economy.
James Surowiecki Mon, 26 Jul 2010 04:00:00 -0000
The U.S. economy is limping along. The job market is in rotten shape, and business investment is hitting historic lows. And, if you’re looking for a culprit for this dismal state of affairs, many businesspeople would be happy to point you to the White House. Companies aren’ . . .
Ian Frazier: Keeping a sculpture graffiti-free in the Bronx.
Ian Frazier Mon, 26 Jul 2010 04:00:00 -0000
What is sweeter than a sheet of new plywood? Last summer, when a Mexican-born, New York-based artist named Diego Medina made a fourteen-foot-high plywood sculpture for the New York City Department of Transportation and the Bronx River Art Center, the sculpture’s pristine sides gleamed . . .
Hendrik Hertzberg: Finding “Top Secret America.”
Hendrik Hertzberg Mon, 26 Jul 2010 04:00:00 -0000
These are hard times for newspapers, and not just the Times. America’s other iconic daily of the past half-century, the Washington Post, has been doing a long, slow fade, speeded up lately by the Great Recession. The Post’s weekday circulation is barely two-thirds what . . .

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