Herbert Spencer in his Evolutionary Theory has also given two models of Stages of Social Evolution. Spencer Explains that Evolution takes place in the form of a) Simple to Compounded societies b) Militaralistic to Industrial Societies.
- Spencer sought to build two classificatory systems of society related to his thesis of social evolution.
- The first of these theories states that in the process of social evolution societies move from simple to various levels of compound on the basis of their degree of composition, primarily due to the increasing size of society. A society grows through both the multiplication of individuals and the union of groups (compounding). The increasing size of society brings with it larger and more differentiated social structures, as well as the increasing differentiation of the functions they perform. In addition to their growth in size, societies evolve through compounding, that is, by unifying more and more adjoining groups. Thus, Spencer talks of the evolutionary movement from simple to compound, doubly-compound, and trebly-compound societies.
- His second theory states that societies evolve from (i) military to, (ii) industrial societies.
- The Militant Society is a type in which predominant organisation is offensive and defensive military action. While Spencer was critical of warfare, he felt that in an earlier stage it was functional in bringing societies together (for example, through military conquest) and in creating the larger aggregates of people necessary for the development of industrial society. Such society has the following characteristics.
- Human relationships in such societies are marked by compulsory cooperation.
- There exists a highly centralised pattern of authority and social control.
- A set of myths and beliefs reaffirm the hierarchical nature of society.
- Life is marked by rigorous discipline and a close identity between public and private life.
- The Industrial society is one in which military activity and organisation is peripheral to society. The greater part of society concentrates on human production and welfare. With the emergence of industrial society, warfare ceases to be functional and serves to impede further evolution. Industrial society is based on friendship, altruism, elaborate specialization, recognition for achievements rather than the characteristics one is born with, and voluntary cooperation among highly disciplined individuals. However, Such a society is held together by voluntary contractual relations and, more important, by a strong common morality. The government’s role is restricted and focuses only on what people ought not to do. The characteristics of such a society are that these societies are marked by
- voluntary cooperation,
- firm recognition of people’s personal rights,
- separation of the economic realm from political control of the government and
- growth of free associations and institutions.
- Herbert Spencer was aware that societies need not fit into either of the systems totally. They served the purpose of models to aid classification
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