Social Relationships Create Social Reality: Intro

In an academic field where scholars build their careers on introducing new ideas and research approaches, there is little incentive on keeping things simple and demystifying amorphous concepts. Within the field of sociology, society is a great example. Society is often described as something that is outside of human experience, while at the same time having a steady influence over our lives. However, a number of scholars reject this depiction, arguing instead that society is interconnected with the human experience in a mutually influencing manner.

In addition to being a more hopeful depiction of society, the idea that individuals play a direct role in shaping society just as society plays a role in shaping individuals helps to bring a lofty concept like society down to earth. Without the need to dot every ‘i’ and cross every ‘t,’ society can be fundamentally described as a complex structure of mutually influencing social relationships. From the micro level of individuals, families, and friends, to the meso- level of organizations and neighborhoods, to the macro level of institutional bodies and multinational bureaucracies, it is this complex network of social relationships connecting individuals to larger contexts and everyday social patterns that brings society into view.

It the strength and character of these social relationships that create our social reality, for the better or for the worse. And this fundamental understanding of the social world represents the theoretical base of our work at Kiaspo. We are confident that a better world is possible, because we essentially are the world and have the capacity to build and restructure the relationships necessary to create a world where universal justice and prosperity rule the day. We build understanding for betterment from this foundation one conversation at a time. Let’s build brighter and better together!