NCERT Class 11 Sociology Chapter 7 Social Change and Social Order in Rural and Urban Society Solutions to each chapter is provided in the list so that you can easily browse through different chapters NCERT Class 11 Sociology Chapter 7 Social Change and Social Order in Rural and Urban Society Question Answer and select need one. NCERT Class 11 Sociology Chapter 7 Social Change and Social Order in Rural and Urban Society Solutions Download PDF. NCERT Class 11 Sociology Textbooks Solutions.
NCERT Class 11 Sociology Chapter 7 Social Change and Social Order in Rural and Urban Society
Also, you can read the NCERT book online in these sections Solutions by Expert Teachers as per Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Book guidelines. NCERT Class 11 Sociology Chapter 7 Social Change and Social Order in Rural and Urban Society Solutions for All Chapters, You can practice these here.
Social Change and Social Order in Rural and Urban Society
Chapter: 7
| PART – (II) UNDERSTANDING SOCIETY |
| EXERCISES |
1. Would you agree with the statement that rapid social change is a comparatively new phenomenon in human history? Give reasons for your answer.
Ans: Yes, rapid social change is a comparatively new phenomenon in human history. Historically, social change occurred slowly over generations, with traditions and customs remaining relatively stable. However, the onset of industrialization, globalization, technological advancements, and increased communication in the modern era have drastically accelerated social change. The meaning of social change is the process through which subcultures are created or the major culture of a society is changed. Some of the factors which trigger social change are demographic, technological, cultural, political, economic and education. Change is a very broad concept.
2. How is social change to be distinguished from other kinds of change?
Ans: Social change, unlike other forms of change, refers to significant changes that take place in the foundations of social structure and systems of a society. Other forms of change may impact certain aspects of social life without encompassing it as a whole. Such restrictions are not applied to social changes. It differs from other kinds of change, such as personal change (individual growth or transformation) or economic change (shifts in markets or production systems), by focusing on collective, group-level transformations. Social change impacts entire communities or societies, influencing relationships, institutions, and power dynamics. These changes occur over time and often have profound and long-term consequences for society. Some of the more important of these changes include commercialization, increasing division of labour, growth of production, formation of nation-states, bureaucratization, growth of technology and science, secularization, urbanization, spread of literacy, increasing geographic and social mobility, and growth. While economic and personal changes may drive social change, the latter specifically involves shifts in cultural patterns, social roles, and institutional frameworks, often sparked by factors like technology, policy, or movements advocating for equality and justice.
3. What do you understand by ‘structural change’? Explain with examples other than those in the text.
Ans: Structural change is defined as a change in the relative weight of significant components of the aggregative indicators of the economy, such as national product and expenditure, exports and imports, and population and the labour force. Structural changes include major shifts in the management hierarchy, team organization, the responsibilities attributed to different departments, the chain of command, job structure, and administrative procedures.
Environmental social change can be seen in the rise of organic farming, where communities prioritize chemical-free agriculture for health and ecological sustainability. Another example is the shift towards eco-tourism, promoting travel that minimizes environmental impact while supporting local economies. These changes reflect growing environmental consciousness and responsible practices.
4. Describe some kinds of environment-related social change.
Ans: Environment-related social change occurs when shifts in environmental conditions or policies lead to alterations in societal behavior and practices. The nature of a society is altered by its ecology and environment. Modern technology has significantly altered the impact of environment on society. However, catastrophic events that take place can change the structure of a society completely. For instance, the tsunami that occurred in the Indian Ocean changed the lives of people drastically. These changes are irreversible and permanent in nature. There was a great loss of lives, loss of livelihood and in many cases, large scale migration of people to new areas in search of new opportunities. Thus, the tsunami became an agent of social change. Similar phenomena are associated with floods, draughts and earthquakes. Additionally, urbanization and industrialization have prompted discussions on pollution control, environmental justice, and green urban planning. Social movements, such as environmental activism and climate justice, push for policy reforms. These changes influence government regulations, consumer choices, and global efforts to address environmental degradation, fostering a more sustainable future.
5. What are some kinds of changes brought about by technology and the economy?
Ans: Technology and the economy bring profound changes across various aspects of life:
(i) Work and Employment: Employment definition is termed as a paid mutual work arrangement between a recruiter and an employee. Automation and AI transform industries, creating new jobs while making others obsolete.
(ii) Communication: Digital tools enable instant global interaction, enhancing connectivity. Workplace communication is the process of exchanging information and wisdom, both verbal and non-verbal between one person/group and another person/group within an organization.
(iii) Education: Online learning platforms democratize education, making it more accessible. It helps in initiating feelings of leadership and leadership skill. Some children are naturally introverted and hesitate in initiating.
(iv) Healthcare: Health care may be a good career path for you if you’re looking for a role that helps others and has a high earning potential. Advances in medical technology improve diagnostics, treatments, and telemedicine.
(v) Commerce: E-commerce revolutionizes shopping, while digital payments drive financial inclusion. Commerce is defined as the exchange of goods and services between two or more entities. It typically involves buying and selling things of value. Commerce can take place between businesses, between consumers, or between businesses and consumers.
(vi) Environment: Renewable technologies promote sustainability, while industrial growth poses ecological challenges.
6. What is meant by social order and how is it maintained?
Ans: Social order is the beliefs and standards that enable stability in a society and help to keep things moving. It can be maintained through social contracts, social norms, or social hierarchies.
Maintaining social order can be done through law enforcement or the judicial system. Law enforcement has the mandate to keep each citizen safe from unforeseen activities by arresting criminals. The judicial system ensures that the rule of law is respected and followed. Institutions like family, education, and government reinforce these expectations. Law enforcement ensures compliance, while socialization teaches individuals societal rules. Sanctions, both rewards and punishments, promote adherence, fostering stability and harmony within the community.
7. What is authority and how is it related to domination and the law?
Ans: Authority can be defined as the legal right of a person or superior to command his subordinates. On the other hand, accountability refers to the duty of an individual to carry out his performance as per the company standards. Authority is the legitimate power that individuals or institutions hold to enforce rules, make decisions, or command obedience. It is recognized and accepted by society, often deriving from tradition, laws, or expertise. The authorities are the people who have the power to make decisions and to make sure that laws are obeyed.
Authority is closely related to domination, as it represents the capacity to influence or control others, but it is distinguished by its legitimacy—domination without legitimacy becomes coercion.
Law provides the framework within which authority operates, defining its scope and ensuring it is exercised justly. Authority enforces the law, while the law legitimizes authority, creating a mutual dependence essential for maintaining social order and governance.
Authority in Sociology is a concept of a legal right of a person or group to govern the actions of their subordinates and make decisions for the organisation. It is different from Power, as the latter is a personal ability of a person to exercise control over others’ actions and be able to give orders and commands.
8. How are a village, town and city distinguished from each other?
Ans: The features of social order in rural areas are as follows:
Village: A village is a human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet but smaller than a town with a population typically ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand. Smallest unit, primarily rural with low population density, agriculture-based economy, and minimal infrastructure like schools and health centers. Although villages are often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighborhoods.
Town: A town is a place with many streets and buildings, where people live and work. Towns are larger than villages and smaller than cities. Many places that are called towns in Britain would be called cities in the United States. Larger than a village, with a moderate population, a mix of agriculture and small-scale industries, and better facilities such as markets, schools, and hospitals.
City: A city is a relatively large, dense, permanent, heterogeneous, and politically autonomous settlement whose population engages in a range of non agricultural occupations. Largest, urbanized area with a high population, advanced infrastructure, industries, and services like universities, malls, and specialized healthcare.
9. What are some features of social order in rural areas?
Ans: Features of Social Order in Rural Areas are:
(i) The small size of a village is suitable for more personalised relationships. Social accountability within the community acts as a deterrent to deviant behavior.
(ii) Social order in rural areas is often maintained through close-knit relationships.
(iii) A village also has a strong power structure as the people in power control all the resources and resist change.
(iv) Panchayats, village councils, or other informal systems often resolve disputes and maintain harmony.
(v) Large distances between residential, industrial and commercial areas place a burden on transport. People rely on private transport, which results in congestion and pollution.
(vi) The community’s livelihood is often tied to agriculture and natural resources, creating shared responsibilities and interdependence.
10. What are some of the challenges to social order in urban areas?
Ans: Urban areas face various challenges to maintaining social order due to their complex and dynamic nature.
(i) High population density can lead to competition for resources such as housing, water, and public services.
(ii) The residential colonies in urban areas are mixed with people of all class, caste, religion and ethnicity, which also give rise to communal problems, such as riots, and the phenomenon of ghettoisation.
(iii) Law and order issues due to criminal activities in slums. The major cause is the undefined rights over property of slum owners.
(iv) Poor urban planning results in traffic congestion, inadequate public transportation, and insufficient water and power supply.
(v) The management of space is related to development of housing, transportation, land use and public facilities like sanitation, policing and urban governance.
(vi) Inadequate policing and judicial systems can result in delayed justice and lack of trust in authorities.
(vii) Cybercrimes such as fraud, hacking, and identity theft are rising with increasing digitization.
