The main difference between Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft is that Gemeinschaft is characterized by a strong sense of common identity, shared norms, and close personal relationships, while Gesellschaft is characterized by impersonal relations, formal organization, and the absence of common, binding norms.
Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft are two German words that mean community and society, respectively. The German sociologist Ferdinand Tönnies systematically expounded these as the ideal types of social organizations in his prominent work Gemeinschaft und Gesellschaft (1887).
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Gemeinschaft
– Definition, Characteristics
2. What is Gesellschaft
– Definition, Characteristics
3. What is the Difference Between Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Community, Gemeinschaft, Gesellschaft, Society
What is Gemeinschaft
Gemeinschaft, which is often translated as “community,” refers to a group of individuals mainly characterized by a strong sense of common identity, attachment to traditional and sentimental concerns, and close personal relationships. Moreover, individuals within a gemeinschaft are bound together by shared beliefs and shared physical space. Tönnies stated that personal social ties and personal interactions in gemeinschaft have base on traditional social norms and result in a cooperative social organization. Feelings of togetherness and mutual bonds are at the base of such groupings. Tönnies described emotions and sentiments, as well as a sense of moral obligation to others, drive these interactions and social ties.
Furthermore, the concept of gemeinschaft was common in rural, small-scale, homogenous societies. Amish and Hassidic communities are two examples of Gemeinschaft. In gemeinschaft, rules are implicit (no written laws), and it’s factors like morals, social control, and conformism that achieve equilibrium.
What is Gesellschaft
Gesellschaft, which is often translated as a society, is a grouping with individuals having impersonal and indirect social ties and interactions. However, these interactions are not necessarily face-to-face interactions; they can take place via telephone, in written form, through a chain of command, etc. More importantly, formal values and beliefs drive these ties and interactions. Furthermore, rationality, efficiency, economic and political interests and self-interests are key factors in Gesellschaft. According to Tönnies, in a Gesellschaft, scientific rationality and self-interest replace the traditional bonds of kinship, family, and religion, which are the basis for social ties, values, and interactions in a gemeinschaft.
Furthermore, the concept of Gesellschaft is common in large-scale, industrial, and cosmopolitan societies. Such societies are generally structured around large organizations of government and private companies. Moreover, social order and organizations are organized by a complex division of labour and roles. In addition to these, Gesellschaft has explicit rules (written laws) and achieves its equilibrium through laws, police, tribunals and prisons. The members of society agree to abide by the rules, norms, and practices due to rationality, i.e., abiding by these rules provide benefits to them.
Difference Between Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft
Definition
Gemeinschaft refers to a group of individuals mainly characterized by a sense of common identity, close personal relationships, and an attachment to traditional and sentimental concerns, while Gesellschaft refers to a group of people mainly characterized by impersonal relations, formal organization, the absence of generally held or binding norms, and a detachment from traditional and sentimental concerns.
Translation
Gemeinschaft means community while Gesellschaft means community.
Characteristics
A sense of common identity, shared beliefs, close personal relationships, and an attachment to traditional and sentimental concerns are the major characteristics of gemeinschaft. In contrast, impersonal relations, formal organization, the absence of generally held or binding norms, and a detachment from traditional and sentimental concerns are the main characteristics of Gesellschaft.
Rationality vs Emotionality
Emotions and sentiments drive social ties and interactions in gemeinschaft, while rationality is the driving factor in Gesellschaft.
Rules
While gemeinschaft has implicit rules, gesellschaft has explicit rules.
Type of Society
Gemeinschaft is common in rural, small-scale, homogenous societies, while gesellschaft is common in large-scale, industrial, and cosmopolitan societies.
Equilibrium
Gemeinschaft achieves its equilibrium through morals, social control, and conformism, while gesellschaft achieves its equilibrium through laws, police, tribunals and prisons.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the main difference between gemeinschaft and gesellschaft is their characteristics. A sense of common identity, shared beliefs, close personal relationships, as well as an attachment to traditional and sentimental concerns are the major characteristics of gemeinschaft. In contrast, impersonal relations, formal organization, the absence of generally held or binding norms, and a detachment from traditional and sentimental concerns are the main characteristics of gesellschaft.
Reference:
1. Crossman, Ashley. “The Meaning of Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft in Sociology.” ThoughtCo, Available here.
2. “6.3C: Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft.” Social Sci LibreTexts, Libretexts, 20 Feb. 2021, Available here.
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