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

---

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.

More on [ Society ]

NPR Topics: Politics & Society

Edwards to Endorse Obama's President Bid
Wed, 14 May 2008 17:45:00 -0400
Former presidential candidate John Edwards will endorse Sen. Barack Obama at a rally in Michigan, a key battleground state in the general election. The endorsement follows Obama's loss in West Virginia to Sen. Hillary Clinton.
'Marketplace' Report: Farm Bill
Wed, 14 May 2008 13:00:00 -0400
The U.S. House takes up the farm bill Wednesday. Two-thirds of the massive bill would pay for the nation's nutrition programs, including food stamps. Most of the rest of the legislation would provide subsidies for farmers and conservation programs that protect the land.
What is Hillary Clinton Doing?
Wed, 14 May 2008 13:00:00 -0400
The West Virginia primary in the rear view mirror, Kentucky and Oregon primaries are a week away. John Dickerson joins Madeleine Brand to talk about whether the upcoming primaries matter and what Clinton is trying to achieve.

The Talk of the Town

Over Not Out
Hendrik Hertzberg Mon, 12 May 2008 04:00:00 -0000
When the polls closed in Indiana and North Carolina last Tuesday evening, a lot of Barack Obama supporters braced themselves for bad news. Their candidate had just gone through a harrowing month, divided neatly in two by his thumping in the Pennsylvania primary. He had been repeatedly gored by a . . .
Mamet Talk
Lillian Ross Mon, 12 May 2008 04:00:00 -0000
The playwright and screenwriter David Mamet was in town recently to talk about his new film, “Redbelt.” He sat patiently for an interview on a white wire chair in the sculpture garden of the Museum of Modern Art, one of his favorite haunts. He wore orange-rimmed glasses, a black . . .
Fly on the Wall
Adam Gopnik Mon, 12 May 2008 04:00:00 -0000
Yasmina Reza, the French playwright (“Art,” among other works), was in town last week, talking about her newly translated book on Nicolas Sarkozy, the French President, entitled “Dawn Dusk or Night.” Sarkozy allowed Reza, a newcomer to political journalism, to trail his steps and record his words--hour by hour . . .

Subscribe to Society RSS feed