Social cohesion is the degree of consensus or integration that exists among the members of a social group. It is an important sociological concept that refers to the degree of unity and solidarity within a community. It implies a sense of belonging. For example:perceive the rules as fair, accept the norms, share the values .
Social cohesion can be measured through various indices and statistical tests, always adapted to the characteristics of each group. A community with greater social cohesion acts as a united, more solid, and homogeneous unit, while a group with little social cohesion tends to act in a dispersed, contradictory, and disorderly manner. For example:a group of students that organizes to protest against an injustice (greater cohesion), a group that recognizes an injustice committed against a classmate but does not intervene (less cohesion).
One of the greatest scholars of social cohesion was the French sociologist and philosopher Emile Durkheim (1858-1917), who defined it as the feeling of interdependence among people, that is, the need for mutual cooperation among members of a society in order to succeed or survive. According to Durkheim, this feeling is what holds modern societies, characterized by individualism and specialization, together.
Social cohesion is studied from different perspectives. For example:Conflict theory analyzes cohesion through the concepts of struggle and competition; symbolic interactionism seeks to understand social processes through communication.
- See also: Solidarity
Facilitators of social cohesion
Social cohesion means feeling part of a society, valuing it, and accepting its rules. A cohesive society seeks the well-being of all people, combats exclusion, and creates a sense of belonging. Some factors that facilitate social cohesion are:
- Communication and mutual support.Effective communication between group members facilitates conflict resolution and the ability to reach agreements.
- Commitment and participation.Active participation in decision-making regarding common resources and actions leads to the construction of stronger and more democratic societies.
- Institutional transparency.Institutions that operate fairly and effectively foster trust and participation among citizens.
- Shared culture and common interests.Traditions, symbols, history, and concerns about issues such as the economy, health, and the environment strengthen ties and collective identity and foster solidarity.
- Social inclusion and equity.Inclusion policies that promote equal opportunities help reduce barriers between group members and contribute to building a sense of belonging.
On the other hand, there are factors that weaken social cohesion. For example:lack of rules ( anomie ) , mutual distrust, lack of communication, corruption.
- It may be useful to you: Equity
Examples of social cohesion
Examples of social cohesion in history
- Referendum in Chile. In 1988, during the Chilean military dictatorship, a referendum was held to consult the people regarding the continued rule of General Augusto Pinochet. Despite having suffered under a violent autocracy since 1973, the Chilean people managed to rally their strength and vote en masse for the “No” option, which won with 55.99% of the total votes. This was a demonstration of social cohesion among a people who, despite having been subjugated for several years, managed to secure presidential and legislative elections in 1989.
- End of apartheid in South Africa.Apartheid is a system of racial segregation that was established in South Africa between 1948 and 1992. After decades of internal struggle and oppression, thanks to international pressure and the enormous social cohesion of the South African community, the people expressed their desire to rebuild the country around the leadership of Nelson Mandela. In 1994, he was elected as the new president of South Africa, ushering in a government of reconciliation.
- Rwandan Genocide.The ethnic, political, historical, and communicational difficulties in uniting Rwanda’s two main ethnic groups, the Hutu and the Tutsi, led to the event known as the “Rwandan Genocide” in 1994. During this conflict, the Hutu attempted to exterminate the Tutsi. In this case, the lack of social cohesion and division were stronger than trust in institutions and the principles of equality and fraternity.
Examples of social cohesion in everyday life
- A family that regularly meets and communicates can achieve a high level of social cohesion, allowing it to respond to adversities, such as an economic crisis, in an orderly and effective manner.
- Voluntary organizations, such as neighborhood associations, cultural centers, and charitable foundations, promote community collaboration, encourage active participation, and work to solve problems that affect citizens.
- Social support networks are a set of relationships and resources that people can turn to to address specific needs. They function as structures that provide support in areas such as health, education, and emotional support. They can be formal or informal. For example:health prevention and care organizations, groups of friends, colleagues or family members.
- Educational programs provide information about people’s rights and responsibilities. A community that educates its members about the values that underpin it strengthens social ties, communication, and participation.
- Promoting inclusive policies ensures that all people have access to equal opportunitiesand resources. This reduces social and economic gaps and strengthens social stability.
