Social change is an inevitable
process. Social change involves cultural change-both in material and non-material
culture- and it effects organization of a society in positive or negative way.
Modern inventions like computer, mobile phones, cars, air traffic, and
satellite T.V etc has a great impact on our organized life. So, the study of
the impact of social change on social organization is an interesting topic for
social researchers and social thinkers.
A well-organized society is one
where its different parts are in harmonious adjustment. When this adjustment is
altered, the balance of various parts is disturbed. This imbalance represents a
lack of proper co-ordination among various parts of society
and when this imbalance
is great, the result is social disorganization. So, all of us know well that
huge inventions have brought up change in material culture of the world, it has
provided us with more knowledge and nicer attitudes, it has raised the standard
of living. All this has brought about social disorganization. When many a man
was thrown out of their jobs because fast machines could do more work in less
time and money, when people have access to the world within their homes; they can
entertain themselves and get knowledge about the world through computer and
internet, it is possible that our lives could have terrible influence of these changes.Role of Cultural Conflict
Cultural conflict causes social
disorganization to a greater extent. It is so because the any newly introduced cultural
trait causing an unequal rates of change in correlated portions of culture may
bring social disorganization. The innovations may be either material or
non-material cultures. War, a social invention, can cause as great social
disorganization as could do technological changes. The large number of
important inventions coming on the heels of one another at the present time and
precipitating vast social changes makes technology a special cause of social
disorganization.
The Impact of Changing Natural Environment
It is important to note that
there are other causes of social disorganization than the impact of one cultural
change. One such cause is the force of a changing natural environment on man
and culture. Disease, for instance may work havoc with the functioning of whole
groups and communities. Similarly, the floods, earthquakes and other natural
calamities may cause serious destruction of many cities and countries. Anti-environment
activities of man are generating more threat to environment and this situation
further leads to more natural disasters. Modern inventions and technology cost
our natural environment and natural beauty. Natural environment is an important
element of our culture and physical life, the disharmony between modern inventions
and natural environment is leading towards social disorganization.
Maladaptation of Inherited Nature to Culture
Another cause of social
disorganization is the lack of adaptation of man’s inherited nature to the environment
of group and culture. Man’s inherited nature changes slowly while the culture
changes rapidly. Group life implies cooperation and respect for the life of
others, yet the aggressive, acquisitive tendencies of man, so necessary for
survival, are not readily accommodated to the restrictions imposed by the
group. So, man may steal or commit murder, and a strong bully may create
considerable social disorganization. Again the culture of a group may make
demands on original nature which it finds very difficult to meet. Such may be
the situations when long hours of labor are required at monotonous repetitive tasks.
As a result industrial production may have periods of disorganization
Social disorganization has been a
product of social change; the change in life style due to new inventions; the
change in human attitude due to improved life style; the change in natural environment
due to human or natural activities.
