Society vs. Community: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Society is a broad network of individuals who share laws, traditions, and values, while Community refers to a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.
Key Differences
Society encompasses a larger group of people who share common laws, traditions, and values. It is extensive and includes various communities within it. In contrast, Community is more localized, often referring to a group of people in a specific area or with shared interests, focusing on relationships and personal connections.
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Dec 12, 2023
While Society is often governed by formal structures like governments and institutions, it represents a collective of diverse groups and interests. On the other hand, Community usually implies a closer, more personal interaction among its members, often bound by common purposes or goals.
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Dec 12, 2023
Society can be seen as a macro-level concept that includes various communities, each with their own unique characteristics. It is more abstract and less personal. Conversely, Community is a micro-level concept where personal relationships and a sense of belonging are more pronounced.
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Dec 12, 2023
In Society, individuals may feel less personal connection but benefit from a shared set of laws and cultural norms. Community, however, often provides a stronger support network and a sense of belonging, due to the more intimate nature of relationships.
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Dec 12, 2023
Society is characterized by its broad scope, including economic, social, and cultural dimensions that influence individuals. In contrast, Community is typically characterized by its smaller scale and more immediate, personal interactions among members.
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Dec 12, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Structure
Governed by laws and institutions
Governed by shared interests and proximity
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Focus
Broad, including various communities
Specific, localized or interest-based
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Interaction
Indirect, through social norms and systems
Direct, through personal relationships
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Society and Community Definitions
Society
An organized group of people bound by shared institutions, traditions, and culture.
The society in this region has a rich tradition of folk music.
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Community
A social, religious, occupational, or other group sharing common characteristics or interests.
The gaming community is growing rapidly worldwide.
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Society
The community of people living in a particular region and having shared customs, laws, and organizations.
The society of ancient Greece was known for its philosophy and democracy.
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Community
A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.
The local community came together to support the new library.
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Society
The totality of people regarded as forming a community of interdependent individuals
Working for the benefit of society.
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Community
A feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.
The community spirit at the festival was contagious.
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Society
A group of people broadly distinguished from other groups by mutual interests, participation in characteristic relationships, shared institutions, and a common culture
Rural society.
Literary society.
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Community
A body of people or things viewed collectively.
The scientific community is debating the new findings.
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Society
An organization or association of persons engaged in a common profession, activity, or interest
A folklore society.
A society of bird watchers.
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Community
A group of people living in the same locality and under the same government.
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Society
The wealthy, socially dominant members of a community. Also called high society.
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Society
Companionship; company
Enjoys the society of friends and family members.
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Community
A group of people having common interests
The scientific community.
The international business community.
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Society
(Biology) A colony or community of organisms, usually of the same species
An insect society.
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Community
A group viewed as forming a distinct segment of society
The gay community.
The community of color.
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Society
(countable) A long-standing group of people sharing cultural aspects such as language, dress, norms of behavior and artistic forms.
This society has been known for centuries for its colorful clothing and tight-knit family structure.
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Society
(countable) A group of people who meet from time to time to engage in a common interest; an association or organization.
It was then that they decided to found a society of didgeridoo-playing unicyclists.
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Society
(countable) The sum total of all voluntary interrelations between individuals.
The gap between Western and Eastern societies seems to be narrowing.
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Society
(uncountable) The people of one’s country or community taken as a whole.
Our global society develops in fits and starts.
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Community
A group of organisms interacting with one another and with the environment in a specific region.
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Society
(uncountable) High society.
Smith was first introduced into society at the Duchess of Grand Fenwick's annual rose garden party.
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Society
A number of people joined by mutual consent to deliberate, determine and act toward a common goal.
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Community
(countable) A group sharing a common understanding, and often the same language, law, manners, and/or tradition.
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Society
The relationship of men to one another when associated in any way; companionship; fellowship; company.
There is society where none intrudesBy the deep sea, and music in its roar.
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Society
Connection; participation; partnership.
The meanest of the people and such as have the least society with the acts and crimes of kings.
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Community
A group of interdependent organisms inhabiting the same region and interacting with each other.
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Society
A number of persons associated for any temporary or permanent object; an association for mutual or joint usefulness, pleasure, or profit; a social union; a partnership; as, a missionary society.
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Community
A group of people interacting by electronic means for educational, professional, social, or other purposes; a virtual community.
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Dec 05, 2023
Society
The persons, collectively considered, who live in any region or at any period; any community of individuals who are united together by a common bond of nearness or intercourse; those who recognize each other as associates, friends, and acquaintances.
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Community
(uncountable) The condition of having certain attitudes and interests in common.
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Society
Specifically, the more cultivated portion of any community in its social relations and influences; those who mutually give receive formal entertainments.
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Community
Common enjoyment or possession; participation.
A community of goods
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Society
An extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
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Society
A formal association of people with similar interests;
He joined a golf club
They formed a small lunch society
Men from the fraternal order will staff the soup kitchen today
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Society
The state of being with someone;
He missed their company
He enjoyed the society of his friends
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Community
A local area within a county or county borough which is the lowest tier of local government, usually represented by a community council or town council, which is generally equivalent to a civil parish in England.
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Community
Common possession or enjoyment; participation; as, a community of goods.
The original community of all things.
An unreserved community of thought and feeling.
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Society
The aggregate of people living together in a more or less ordered community.
Modern society faces challenges like climate change and inequality.
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Community
A body of people having common rights, privileges, or interests, or living in the same place under the same laws and regulations; as, a community of monks. Hence a number of animals living in a common home or with some apparent association of interests.
Creatures that in communities exist.
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Society
A body of individuals living as members of a community; community.
The society in this city is known for its multicultural diversity.
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Community
Society at large; a commonwealth or state; a body politic; the public, or people in general.
Burdens upon the poorer classes of the community.
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Society
The totality of social relationships among humans.
Technology is rapidly changing the fabric of society.
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Community
Common character; likeness.
The essential community of nature between organic growth and inorganic growth.
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Community
Commonness; frequency.
Eyes . . . sick and blunted with community.
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Community
A group of people living in a particular local area;
The team is drawn from all parts of the community
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Community
A group of people having ethnic or cultural or religious characteristics in common;
The Christian community of the apostolic age
He was well known throughout the Catholic community
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Community
A group of nations having common interests;
They hoped to join the NATO community
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Community
The body of people in a learned occupation;
The news spread rapidly through the medical community
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Community
Agreement as to goals;
The preachers and the bootleggers found they had a community of interests
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Community
A district where people live; occupied primarily by private residences
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Community
(ecology) a group of interdependent organisms inhabiting the same region and interacting with each other
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Community
The condition of sharing or having certain attitudes and interests in common.
Despite their differences, the community shared a common goal.
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Dec 05, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is a community always geographical?
No, communities can be based on shared interests or characteristics, not just geography.
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Dec 12, 2023
What defines a society?
A society is defined by a large group of people associated with a shared culture, traditions, and institutions.
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Can a community exist without a society?
No, communities are typically subsets of a larger society.
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What role do laws play in a society?
Laws provide structure and governance to a society, influencing its operation and norms.
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How do societies evolve?
Societies evolve through changes in cultural practices, technological advancements, and interactions with other societies.
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How do societies impact individual behavior?
Societies influence individual behavior through norms, laws, and cultural expectations.
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What is a virtual community?
A virtual community is a group of people interacting and sharing interests over the internet.
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Can someone be part of multiple communities?
Yes, individuals can belong to multiple communities based on different interests or aspects of their identity.
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What distinguishes a community from a group?
A community is often larger and more structured than a group, with shared long-term interests or living situations.
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What is the primary difference between a society and a community?
a society is larger and more diverse, while a community is smaller and often more closely-knit.
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What is the importance of community in a person's life?
Communities provide support, a sense of belonging, and shared experiences.
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How does a community influence personal identity?
A community influences personal identity through shared experiences, values, and social interactions.
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Can societies be multicultural?
Yes, societies can be multicultural, encompassing diverse cultures and traditions.
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How do societal norms develop?
Societal norms develop through shared beliefs, traditions, and repeated social interactions.
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How does globalization affect society?
Globalization affects society by increasing cultural exchange, economic interdependence, and global communication.
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What is the impact of technology on society?
Technology impacts society by changing communication, work, and access to information.
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What is the role of culture in a community?
Culture in a community provides a shared set of practices, values, and beliefs that bind its members.
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What are examples of community activities?
Examples include local festivals, community service projects, and neighborhood meetings.
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How do communities respond to crises?
Communities respond to crises by mobilizing resources, supporting affected members, and coordinating with external agencies.
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What is social stratification in society?
Social stratification refers to the division of society into different levels of power, wealth, or status.
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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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