Explain and discuss the various concepts related to thinking about communities as social systems with cultures and structure. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of horizontal linkage and vertical linkage and why healthy communities have both.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The social systems perspective focuses on social interaction rather than on the physical, spatial aspects of community. Social interaction in a community can be understood in two ways: as culture and as structure. For thinking about community in terms of its culture, symbolic interaction theory is promising because of its emphasis on the development of meaning through interaction. Community can also be studied in terms of its structure. Members of communities have two distinctive types of interactions. The first are those that create horizontal linkage, or interactions with other members of the community. The second are interactions that create vertical linkage,or interaction with individuals and systems outside the community. Healthy communities must have both types of interactions. Communities with strong horizontal linkage provide a sense of identity for community members, but without good vertical linkage they cannot provide all the necessary resources for the well-being of community members. Communities with strong vertical linkage but weak horizontal linkage may leave community members searching and yearning for a sense of community.