Formal or statutory Social Organization: Definition and Features.

by - November 23, 2024

Formal or statutory Social Organization: Definition and Features.

What is formal social organization? Discuss the characteristics of formal social organization.

Characteristics of formal social organization.




Formal or  statutory social organization:-


The concept of formal social organization emerged from the social philosophy of Max Weber. Social organizations that are artificially created around specific objectives are called formal social organizations. Formal social organizations are always based on pre-planning. In formal social organizations, specific objectives are given importance instead of general objectives. The relationship of people with such organizations is secondary, that is, the relationship of people with formal social organizations revolves only on the basis of objectives and needs.

Characteristics of formal social organization:-


1. Artificial in origin:-
Every formal social organization is born artificially with the aim of fulfilling specific objectives or needs of people. People consciously give birth to formal social organizations. In the history of human society, there is no example of a formal social organization that has not been artificially created.

2. Pre-planned: -
Every formal social organization is born according to the pre-plan of man. Man feels the urge for a specific social organization to fulfill his own and society's needs. Then a completely new formal social organization is born based on the pre-plan.


3. Membership: -
Membership of every formal social organization is optional; that is, accepting membership or not is completely up to the individual. A person accepts membership of one or more formal social organizations according to his needs and demands. Moreover, rejecting membership is also up to the individual's will. On the other hand, formal social organizations can also cancel the membership of their members.

4. Purpose: -
Formal social organizations are formed with a specific purpose instead of a general purpose. For example, schools are established with the aim of spreading education, banks are established to provide banking services to the people. It is not possible for a school to provide banking services to people; again, it is not possible for a bank to spread education. Therefore, the purpose of every statutory social organization is specific.

5. Organizational aspects: -
Every statutory social organization needs an organization to run it. Statutory social organizations fulfill the needs of their members through their organization and achieve their own objectives. Organizations have different levels and each level has a specific role. The success of statutory social organizations depends on the proper performance of the specific role of each part of the organization.

6. Authority: -
The presence of specific authority can be observed at each level of formal social organizations. Specific authority is responsible for its specific responsibilities. If the specific authority does not perform its specific responsibilities properly, the objectives of formal social organizations cannot be successful.


7. Rules and principles of management: -
Every formal social organization is run on the basis of specific rules and principles. These rules and regulations apply to both the directors and the general members of the statutory or formal social organizations. If any party does not follow the rules and regulations properly, he has to resign from his duties or membership. For example, organizations like banks, schools, etc. are run strictly by following their own rules and regulations.

8. Relationship between the organization and its members: -
The relationship between the members of the statutory or formal social organizations is secondary in nature. In this case, the relationship revolves only around work, needs, duties, fulfillment of objectives, etc. For example, the relationship between a bank employee and a customer is completely secondary. Such a relationship is contractual and indirect in nature.

9. Based on real needs: -
Every statutory or formal social organization is formed around the real needs of people. In every society, the needs and demands of people are multifaceted; for example - education, medical care, banking services, municipal services, maintenance of law and order - etc. Statutory or formal social organizations are born with the aim of fulfilling these multifaceted needs. There is no such statutory or formal social organization in human society that has no connection with the real needs of people.

10. Durability:-
The duration and durability of statutory or formal social organizations depend on their purpose and scope. The durability of statutory social organizations is long when the needs of such organizations remain in force for a long time. For example, the needs of education, medical care, banking services, municipal services, law and order are always present; therefore, the durability of such statutory or formal social organizations is long.

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