Introduction
Sociologists have proposed different concepts, including Marxism, capitalism, and socialism, to understand human interactions and regional development. Regardless of the arrangement that a country chooses, there are always negative implications for the citizens. On the one hand, in a materialistic place, vices such as greed, often result in unequal distribution of resources, global warming, and crime (Flaherty, 2020). On the other, in communist nations, there is a high rate of dependency, and some people become lazy. The implication is that a balance of each of the positive concepts needs to be integrated to create a perfect coexistence of people and improve their quality of life. The objective of this paper is to apply theories and creativity to design an ideal community.
Key Components
For perfection to be attained, the natural laws will be observed by every member to ensure that each life is accorded dignity.
The social norms will be aimed at ensuring that all people do what is best for others at all times. If people have the same attitude, all forms of criminal behavior will be eliminated. As stated by Wilhelm and Gunawong (2016), moral reasoning is evident through “assessment of the issues of right and wrong…as embodied in judgments about justice, individual responsibility, and outward behavior” (p.336). The social arrangements will be intended to cultivate virtues that promote quality wellbeing to all people.
Values such as love, patience, stewardship, kindness, gentleness, integrity, and faithfulness will be nurtured in children as they grow. Teaching and instilling these values through coaching, training, and rebuke will be the role of parents and can be reinforced by teachers and religious leaders. To encourage “inventiveness and innovation,” there is “protection of intellectual property, private ownership” (Yildirim, 2016, p.113).
In addition, people have the right to belong to a religious group of their choosing, although the guardians can provide direction to the minors before they attain the age of eighteen years. Consequently, good mannerism will and the high observance of ethics will be evident in the behavior of all citizens.
To maintain control, the family unit will have the greatest role to cultivate young ones to follow law and order. Deviant infants will be punished by their loving parents or taken to juvenile correctional centers for bigger and repeated offenses. There will be a constitution and legal-judicial system to formally settle any crimes. The specialists assigned to guard the law of the land will be people of high integrity and knowledge. Contrary to the view that courts do not seek “reality, but verisimilitude,” the ideal society will use all the available means to establish the truth (Moriconi, 2018, p.509). Disciplinary measures will intend to ensure that people learn to protect each other and create a safe environment for coexistence.
Social groups are determined by age, religion, gender, occupation, ethnicity, and involvement in clubs. Belongingness is essential for motivation, celebration, and consolation; hence such categories are essential. Being a member of an illegal gang, such as a terrorist, which strays from social norms and constitution, will be forbidden. To maintain order, ranking in any communal organization is essential. The leaders bear the responsibility and are accountable to those that are subject to him/them. Importantly, being in an influential position is only intended to give proper direction and not abuse power. Humility and stewardship are, thus, the most significant elements in guiding others. The classes exist, but the difference is negligible because the government organizes how each child can be supported with the necessary medical care, education, and conducive place that will open up the opportunity for success.
Theoretical Underpinning
Sociological frameworks are useful tools that inform practices and procedures in a community. Central to Comte’s argument was the notion that facts and scientific evidence are essential in building up a society (Palmeri, 2016). This concept will be relevant in promoting continuous innovativeness and evidence-based practice in the ideal country. For instance, green buildings for environmental conservation will be preferred as opposed to the use of synthetic materials (Beatley, 2017). Marx is credited with identifying the flaws in a capitalistic state, mainly exploiting the poor and bringing about classes where some humans are degraded (Palmeri, 2016). By encouraging other reward systems, such as motivation to act righteously instead of money, people will change their value system to avoid mistreatment of the poor. The outcome is as predicted by Spencer that society has a natural way of correcting its defects (Palmeri, 2016). Notably, there must be some changes in attitude, research, and values to attain the required state.
People
Human beings are, by nature, social, they need to belong to a group as much as they may also appreciate some level of dependence. According to Wilhelm and Gunawong (2016), the interaction of people in a society can be based on individualism, in which there are loose ties between people. Conversely, the collectivism dimension is where children “from birth onwards are integrated into strong, cohesive in-groups, which throughout people’s lifetime continue to protect them in exchange for unquestioning loyalty” (Wilhelm & Gunawong, 2016, p.340). Both extremes have major downfalls which may make the survival of people difficult.
In an ideal society, there must be laws that protect the majority and minority groups. Regardless of their gender, age, race, or ethnicity, each person is accepted and appreciated as a bonified member with equal rights before the law. People are free to interact with whoever they wish without fear of being undermined due to individual differences since all cultures are respected. To ensure there is order, leaders who are genuinely concerned with the affairs of people will be elected democratically or through appointment, depending on the role.
For instance, within the family, the father will be the head. In that position, he will be responsible for protecting and representing the interest of the family. The wife will be the next in the hierarchy and can take over immediately there is a gap due to death or incapacity to give proper direction. The implication is, social positions are changed whenever there is a gap through replacement by the person next in the hierarchy. The children will be obedient to their parents and guardians at all times but not subject to anything which can be harmful such as forced labor and trafficking. The elderly will be accorded respect and cared for by their families. Only when they have special needs due to physical and mental incapacity will they be taken to palliative care.
There will be gender roles but not rigidly defined so that people can choose their most preferred ‘s occupation. Although Schouten (2019) portrays the “gendered division of labor” negatively, it is necessary for the correct functioning of society (p.3). The females will still, to a large extent, have the caregiving and homemaking roles while making takes up more energy-intensive tasks. The functions carried out by women will not be undermined, as is currently the case. The division is rational given that men have a masculine physique, which makes them suitable for occupations that involve heavy tasks.
In contrast, women have to carry a pregnancy, breastfeed, and are likely to be nurturant. The Reward system will be informed of salaries and appreciation due to the value that the work has in building a nation. The perception that “production and exchange of goods for profit through commercial transactions” is the primary engine for creating a country will be countered (Yildirim, 2016, p.113). The family earnings will then be used depending on the needs, mostly to be determined by the women since they are the homemakers.
Conclusion
The notion of an ideal society can be contentious based on the worldview of an individual. However, as explained in this paper, such an organization must uphold high moral and ethical standards. The rule of the law must be respected by all people without any supervision. There must also be a legal and judicial system to rectify those with deviant behaviors before they are reinstated to live with others. Rather than choosing the concepts of one theorist, the best ideas from all the founding fathers of the society are integrated to enhance perfection. Relationships will be open for every person without any segregation. To maintain order and ensure everyone has a sense of belonging, there should be groups led by highly influential and humble citizens. Gender roles are still applicable, but all jobs are credited as valuable and appreciated. Overall, people will love to live and stay in the region because they feel safe, loved, and dignified.
References
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Flaherty, S. (2020). Marx, Engels and modern British socialism: The social and political thought of H.M. Hyndman, E.B. Bax and William Morris. Palgrave Macmillan.
Moriconi, M. (2018). Reframing illegalities: Crime, cultural values and ideas of success (in Argentina). Crime, Law and Social Change, 69(4), 497-518. Web.
Palmeri, F. (2016). State of nature, stages of society: Enlightenment conjectural history and modern social discourse. Columbia University Press
Schouten, G. (2019). Liberalism, neutrality, and the gendered division of labor. Oxford University Press
Wilhelm, W. J., & Gunawong, P. (2016). Cultural dimensions and moral reasoning: A comparative study. The International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 36(5), 335- 357. Web.
Yildirim, Y. (2016). Healthier and more educated society improves multifactor productivity: Time varying relationships. Journal of Management Sciences, 14(27), 111-123.