Political vs. Social: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Political involves governance and policy-making, while Social pertains to society, community interactions, and cultural norms.
Key Differences
Political refers to activities, policies, or affairs related to the governance of a country or area. It often involves discussions around power, governance, and policy-making. On the other hand, Social pertains to society and how individuals or groups interact. This encompasses cultural norms, community relationships, and social structures.
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Nov 14, 2023
In the context of Political matters, there's a focus on government, laws, and the exercise of power and authority. It relates to how societies are structured at a governance level. In contrast, Social aspects are more about the day-to-day interactions, societal norms, and the collective behavior of people within a society, focusing on communal and interpersonal dynamics.
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When we talk about Political ideologies or movements, we're referring to collective ideas or actions aimed at influencing or controlling government policy or structure. Social ideologies or movements, however, are typically centered around societal issues like social justice, cultural practices, and community welfare.
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Political leaders are primarily involved in decision-making, law-making, and policy implementation that affect a nation or group. Whereas, Social leaders are often seen leading community initiatives, cultural or social organizations, and influencing social trends and public opinions.
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In the Political realm, discussions often revolve around power, governance, law, and public policy. In the Social realm, the focus is more on human interaction, cultural practices, societal values, and community welfare.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Focus
Governance, policy, and power structures.
Interpersonal relationships, community.
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Key Figures
Politicians, government officials.
Community leaders, social influencers.
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Main Concerns
Legislation, public policy, authority.
Cultural norms, societal values.
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Impact
Laws, state policies, national decisions.
Social behavior, community welfare.
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Discourse
Political ideologies, power dynamics.
Social interactions, cultural trends.
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Political and Social Definitions
Political
Pertaining to government or public affairs.
The political climate in the country is tense during election season.
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Social
Needing or enjoying companionship with others.
He is very social and loves attending community events.
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Political
Involving or influencing the actions of a government.
They held a political rally to support the new legislation.
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Social
Pertaining to the interactions and relationships among people.
Their social circle includes people from diverse backgrounds.
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Political
Relating to the ideas or strategies of a particular party or group in politics.
Her political views align closely with the party's agenda.
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Social
Of or relating to human society and its modes of organization
Social classes.
Social problems.
A social issue.
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Political
Manipulative or strategic in nature, especially within an organization.
Office politics often influence promotion decisions.
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Political
Of, relating to, or dealing with the structure or affairs of government, politics, or the state
A political system.
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Social
Of, relating to, or occupied with matters affecting human welfare
Social programs.
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Political
Relating to, involving, or characteristic of political parties or politicians
A political campaign.
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Social
Interacting with other people and living in communities
Humans are social creatures.
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Social
(Biology) Living together in organized groups or similar close aggregates
Ants are social insects.
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Political
Influenced by, based on, or stemming from partisan interests or political ideology
The court should never become a political institution. The attack was a political crime.
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Social
Inclined to seek out or enjoy the company of others; sociable
He's outgoing and very social.
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Political
Based on or motivated by self-serving interests, especially in attempting to gain power or to please people of a higher rank in an organization
Political maneuvering within the company.
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Social
Spent in or marked by friendly relations or companionship
How has your social life been lately?.
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Political
Concerning or relating to politics, the art and process of governing.
Political principles are rarely absolute, as political logic holds an imperfect result by compromise is better than a theoretically perfect abstention from the political process in the opposition.
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Social
(Linguistics) Of or relating to a variety of a language that is used by a group of people sharing some characteristic, such as ethnicity or income level, and differs in pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary from the standard variety.
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Political
Concerning a polity or its administrative components.
Good political staff is hard to find, they may neither be ambitious and corrupted by power nor tempted by private sector careers.
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Social
An informal social gathering, as of the members of a church congregation.
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Political
(pejorative) Motivated, especially inappropriately, by political (electoral or other party political) calculation.
“The Court invalidates Minnesota’s political apparel ban based on its inability to define the term ‘political'”
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Political
Of or relating to views about social relationships that involve power or authority.
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Social
Being extroverted or outgoing.
James is a very social guy; he knows lots of people.
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Social
Of or relating to society.
Teresa feels uncomfortable in certain social situations.
Unemployment is a social problem.
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Social
(Internet) Relating to social media or social networks.
Social gaming
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Political
Of or pertaining to public policy, or to politics; relating to affairs of state or administration; as, a political writer.
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Social
A festive gathering to foster introductions.
They organized a social at the dance club to get people to know each other.
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Political
Of or pertaining to a party, or to parties, in the state; as, his political relations were with the Whigs.
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Social
(Canadian Prairies) A dance held to raise money, often held for a couple to be married.
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Social
Ellipsis of social security
Fred hated going down to the social to sign on.
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Political
Involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians;
Calling a meeting is a political act in itself
Political pressure
A political machine
Political office
Political policy
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Political
Of or relating to your views about social relationships involving authority or power;
Political opinions
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Social
A dinner dance event, usually held annually by a company or sporting club.
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Political
Interested or active in politics.
As a political activist, he campaigns for environmental issues.
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Social
Of or pertaining to society; relating to men living in society, or to the public as an aggregate body; as, social interest or concerns; social pleasure; social benefits; social happiness; social duties.
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Social
Ready or disposed to mix in friendly converse; companionable; sociable; as, a social person.
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Social
Consisting in union or mutual intercourse.
Best with thyself accompanied, seek'st notSocial communication.
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Social
Naturally growing in groups or masses; - said of many individual plants of the same species.
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Social
Living in communities consisting of males, females, and neuters, as do ants and most bees.
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Social
A party of people assembled to promote sociability and communal activity
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Social
Relating to human society and its members;
Social institutions
Societal evolution
Societal forces
Social legislation
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Social
Living together or enjoying life in communities or organized groups;
Human beings are social animals
Spent a relaxed social evening
Immature social behavior
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Social
Relating to or belonging to or characteristic of high society;
Made fun of her being so social and high-toned
A social gossip colum
The society page
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Social
Composed of sociable people or formed for the purpose of sociability;
A purely social club
The church has a large social hall
A social director
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Social
(of birds and animals) tending to move or live together in groups or colonies of the same kind;
Ants are social insects
The herding instinct in sheep or cattle
Swarming behavior in bees
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Social
Relating to society or its organization.
She studies the social impact of new technology on young adults.
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Social
Relating to activities designed for social interaction.
The company organizes social events for its employees.
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Social
Concerned with the welfare of humans as members of society.
The government introduced new social welfare policies.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
How do political theories differ from social theories?
Political theories deal with concepts of governance, power, and policy, whereas social theories focus on societal behaviors, structures, and interactions.
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Nov 14, 2023
What role do social movements play in politics?
Social movements can influence political agendas, raise awareness on issues, and drive legislative changes.
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Can social events be political in nature?
Yes, social events like protests or awareness campaigns often have political implications or goals.
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How do social media platforms impact political discourse?
They can amplify political messages, influence public opinion, and serve as a tool for political mobilization.
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What's the difference between social justice and political justice?
Social justice focuses on equal rights and opportunities within society, while political justice relates to fairness in political processes and governance.
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What is the significance of social capital in politics?
Social capital, the networks of relationships among people, can influence political participation and the effectiveness of governance.
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Can a social group influence political change?
Yes, social groups can drive political change by mobilizing support, advocating for policies, and influencing public opinion.
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How do political decisions impact society?
Political decisions can shape laws, policies, and resource allocation, which directly affect societal structures and quality of life.
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What is a social policy?
A policy designed to address social issues, like health, education, and welfare.
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How do political climates affect social dynamics?
A nation's political climate can influence social interactions, public sentiment, and community cohesion.
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What is a social democracy?
It's a political, social, and economic ideology that supports economic and social interventions to promote social justice.
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Can political policies address social inequalities?
Yes, political policies can be designed to reduce social inequalities, like poverty and discrimination.
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What is political science?
A field of study concerned with the theory and practice of politics and political systems.
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What does 'social structure' mean?
It refers to the organized pattern of social relationships and social institutions that compose a society.
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How do political leaders influence social norms?
Through legislation and public policy, political leaders can shape societal behaviors and cultural norms.
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How do political ideologies shape social attitudes?
Political ideologies can mold people's views on social issues, such as equality, freedom, and justice.
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Is political activism a form of social expression?
Yes, it's a way individuals or groups express their social and political views and strive for change.
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How does social research inform political decisions?
Social research provides data on public opinion, social trends, and societal needs, which can guide political decision-making.
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What's the role of social media in political campaigns?
Social media is used for campaigning, engaging voters, and spreading political messages.
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Can an individual be both politically and socially active?
Absolutely, many people engage in both political processes and social community activities.
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Nov 14, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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