UNIT – II SOCIOLOGY AND OTHER SOCIAL SCIENCE

Social science refers to those sciences which deal with the social universe or phenomena in
general. They deal with different aspects of social life of men.
Sociology is defined as the science of society. It deals with the social world. However, social
world is made up of many aspects- economics, religious, political, cultural and others. Corresponding to
these aspects are various branches of social sciences, such as Psychology, Anthropology, Economics,
Political Science, History and others.
All social sciences thus focus on particular aspects of social life. Sociology does not study a
unique and particular aspect of human relationship. It studies any social phenomena in its totality and in
relation to other social phenomenon. Therefore, it is essential to study the relation between Sociology
and other Social sciences so as to know the exact subject matter of sociology and to examine how
Sociology is related with other Social sciences.
UNIT – II A. Sociology and History
History is the study of past. It is a systematic record of man’s life and achievements from
the dim past to present. History is interested in the reconstruction of the past. It is therefore, more than
a mere description of the past events. The historian studies the significant events of man in the order of
time. The historian is interested in what happened at a particular time in the past. It seeks to understand
the past events in all their aspects.
Historians are not interested in the present and are unwilling to look to the future. Still
history provides the connecting link for the present and the future. It is said that history is the
microscope of the past, the horoscope of the present and the telescope of the future.
Sociology on the other hand is a general science of society. It is interested in understanding
mainly the present, though it studies the historical development of societies. It studies various stages of
human life. It tries to analyze human interactions and interrelations with all their complexity and
diversity.
Sociology also studies the historical development of societies. But Sociology studies all such
aspects of past society in order to understand better the present. It studies various stages of human life,
modes of living, customs, manners and their expression in the form of social institutions and
associations. Sociology has thus to depend upon history for its material. History with its record of
various social events of the past offers data and facts to sociologists.
History Supplies Information to Sociology:
History is a storehouse of records, a treasury of knowledge. History contains records even
with regard to social matters. History provide Sociology with information regarding different stages of
human life, modes of living, customs and social institutions which helps Sociology to understand better
the present society. Thus, History is a storehouse from where Sociology draws information.
This information about the past is of great help to a sociologist. A sociologist has to make
use of the historical records. For example, if he wants to study marriage and family as social institutions,
he must study their historical development also. Similarly, if he wants to know the impact of Islamic
culture on the Hindu culture, he has to refer to the Muslim conquests of India, for which he has to
depend on history.
A sociologist is, no doubt, concerned with the present-day society. But the present-day
society can be better understood from the knowledge of its past because what people are today is
because of what they had been in the past. Further, sociologists often make use of comparative method,
in their studies for which they depend on history for data. Historical sociology, one of the fields of
sociological inquiry, depends very much on historical data. It is true that the sociologist must sometimes
be his own historian, amassing information from all the available sources.
Sociology Helps History Too:
Sociology provides the social background for the study of history. History is now being
studied and read from the sociological point of view. It is said that history would be meaningless without
the appreciation of socially significant events.
Further, it is often remarked that history would be boring, monotonous, prosaic and
uninteresting unless the social events are narrated. Historical facts without reference to socially
important matters would be like a body with flesh, blood and bone, but without life. Thus, Sociology
provides history with perspective that can explain better the events of the past. History would be
meaningless without the socially significant events.
Difference between Sociology and History:

The two social sciences History and Sociology are different. The points of difference between the two
may be noted.

1. Sociology is interested in the study of the present social phenomena with all their complexities.
But History deals with the past events of man. It is silent regarding the present.

2. Sociology is relatively a young social science. It has very short history of its own. It is not even two
centuries old. But history is an age-old social science. It has a long story of 2000 years or even more.

3. Sociology is an analytical science. But history is a descriptive science.

4. Sociology is abstract in nature. It studies mostly regular, the recurrent and the universal. For
example, the sociologist does not study all the wars or battles Waged by the mankind. But History is
concrete. The historian is interested in the unique, the particular and the individual. For example, the
historian studies all the wars waged by mankind in the past-the wars, the world wars, the Indo-Pak war,
etc. For him each war is unique and significant.

5. Sociology is a generalizing science. Sociology seeks to establish generalizations after a careful

study of the social phenomena. But History is an individualizing science. History rarely makes
generalizations. It seeks to establish the sequence in which events occurred.

6. Sociology follows the sociological approach. It studies human events from the sociological .point of
view, i.e., from the viewpoint of social relationship involved. But History studies human events in
accordance with the time and order. Its approach is historical.
Nevertheless, there is a close relation between Sociology and History. In conclusion, it may be
said that sociology and History are distinct sciences because there is difference in their subject matter,
scope and time frame. But they are essentially related because both deals with human society. The
mutual dependence of history and sociology has made G.E. Howard to remark that ‘History is past
Sociology, and Sociology is present History’. Peter Worsley says that ‘the best history is in fact sociology:
the sociology of the past’.
UNIT – II B. Sociology and Political Science
Political science is that branch of social science which mostly deals with state, government and
power. Political science deals with the political activities of man .It deals with the principles
of organization and government of human society. It studies social groups organized under the
sovereignty of the state. It studies man as a ruler and being ruled.
Political Science has its own topics such as the origin, evolution and functions of state, the forms of
government, types of constitution, administration, law, legislation, international relations, methods of
political representation, elections, voting, political movements, political ideologies, etc. “Political science
is an historical investigation of what the state has been, an analytical study of what the state is, and a
politico-ethical discussion of what the state should be “.
The Relationship between the Two:
Political Science is closely related with Sociology as both are concerned with man and
society. Political activity is also a part of social activity because it takes place within society. It influences
the social life of man and is also influenced by the same. In fact political activity will have no meaning
outside the social context.
Political Science investigates the way in which people govern themselves. Its main focus of
study is power, government and political processes. It is clear that Political Science study only one type of
human association namely state. It deals with political behavior and activities of man.
Political Science gives Sociology information about the organization and functions of state
and government. At the same time, Sociology also points out how various factors influence political
behavior and political organization. There are also common topics of interest for both sociologists and
political scientists such as wars, movement, revolutions, political minorities and social legislations, etc.
Further, there are many problems including social and religious conflict, racial tensions, caste conflict,
etc., that have political as well as social implications. This close relationship give rise to a branch of
Sociology called Political Sociology.
Political science is concerned with the state. But sociology also studies state as one of the
human associations. Moreover, a political scientist must also be a sociologist. The laws of the state have a
great influence upon society. These laws are largely based on customs, traditions, conventions and us-
ages. But these customs, traditions, etc., are the concern of sociology. The institution of family, for
example, is an element in social life. It is the concern of sociology. But the laws of marriage, made to
regulate the family, fall within the field of political science.
Common Foci of Attention:
There are some common topics of interest for both sociologists and political scientists. Such
topics as war, mass movements, revolutions, government control, public opinion, propaganda, leadership,
elections, voting, political minorities, social legislations like civil code and the like may be cited here as
examples.
Further, many of the social problems are also deep political problems. Communal riots,
{clashes between Muslims and Christians, Hindus and Muslims, Protestants and Christians etc.), racial
tensions between Whites and Negroes, Asians and Europeans, etc., border disputes between different
states, caste conflicts, etc., are problems that have political as well as social implications. It has become
quite common to use political instruments to solve such social problems like beggary, unemployment,
prostitution, poverty, crime, etc.
The inter-relationship of political science and sociology has been stressed by some thinkers.
G.E.C. Catlin has remarked that political science and sociology are two facets or aspects of the same
figure.
 It is said that without the sociological background the study of political science will be
complete. The forms of government, the nature of governmental organizations, the laws and sphere of
the state activities are determined by the social process. Both the sciences are mutually helpful since
political activities are only a part of the social activities.
Differences between Sociology and Political Science:

In-spite of the above relationship, both sociology and political science are however different from each
other in certain respects,

1. Sociology is the science of political science; on the other hand, it is the science of state and government.
Sociology studies society as a whole and man as a social being where as political science deals with a
particular aspect of society, which is regarded as a politically organized unit. Therefore, political science
is a more specialized science than sociology.
2. Sociology has wider scope than that of political science. Sociology deals with social, political, economic,
cultural and other aspects of society and studies will be the social institutions such as family, marriage,
religion, kinship, caste and so on. But political science deals with political aspect and studies a specific
political institution like state and government only. Thus, sociology is regarded as a general science while
political science is viewed as a specialized social science.

3. Sociology studies forms of associations and institutions where as political science deals with the state
and government which are known as specific forms of association. That is why professor Garner remarks
"Political science is concerned with only human form association such as state, sociology deals with all
forms of association."

4. Sociology studies all kinds of social relationship in a general way. But political science studies only the
political aspect of social relationship in a particular way.

5. Sociology studies both organized and disorganized societies. But political science studies only the
politically organized societies.

6. Sociology deals with both formal as well as informal relations of the society, which are based on
customs, traditions, folkways, mores, norms etc. But political science deals only with formal relations
based on laws and order of the state.

7. Sociology is the study of all means of social control. Political science, on the other hand, is the study of
only government-recognized means of control.
In conclusion, it may be said that Sociology and political Science are distinct sciences because there is a
difference in their subject matter and scope. While political science is concerned with state, Sociology
studies state as one of the human association. But at the same time, they are essentially related because
both deal with human society and social relationship. Therefore both enrich each other.

UNIT – II C. Sociology and Economics

The relationship of sociology with economics is very close, intimate and personal. There exists close
relationship between these two because economic relationships bear a close relation to social activities
and relationships. Likewise social relationships are also affected by economic relationships. Economic
activities to a great extent are social activities. Hence both are mutually related.
Economics deals with economic activities of man. It studies the way by which man makes a living
and is concerned with the activities of man such as production, consumption, distribution and exchange
of goods and services. It also studies the structure and functions of different economic organizations like
banks, markets, business firms, corporations, transport, etc.
Economics studies how man fulfills his needs by managing the resources available to them. It
studies man as a wealth-getter and a wealth disposer. Wealth constitutes the central problem of
economics. It studies the interrelations of purely economic factors and forces: the relations of price and
supply, money flows, input-output ratios and the like.
Sociology is a science of society. Sociology is the study of human interactions and inter-relations
their conditions and consequences. However, there exists a great deal of inter-relationship between these
two sciences. Both are interdependent and inter-related with each other.

Economics is influenced by Sociology. Without the social background the study of Economics is
quite impossible. Economics is concerned with material welfare of man which is a part of social welfare.
For the solution of different economic problems such as inflation, poverty, unemployment etc.
economists takes the help of sociology and takes into account the social events of that particular time. At
the same time society controls the economic activities of man.
 Economics is greatly benefited by the research conducted by Sociologists like Max-weber, Pareto
etc. Sociologists have also contributed to the study of different aspects of economic organization like-
Property system, division of labour, occupations etc. Economist draws its generalization basing on the
data provided by Sociology. Thus economics cannot go far or develop without the help of Sociology.
Similarly Sociology also takes the help from economics. An economic factor greatly influences each
and every aspects of social life. Knowledge and research in the field of economics greatly contributes to
sociology. All the social problems are directly connected with the economic conditions of the people. That
is why Marshall defines Economics as "on one side the study of wealth and on the other and more
important side a part of the study of man”. For the solution of social problems like dowry, suicide etc.,
Sociologists take the help from economics.
Sociology contributes to Economics with knowledge of property system, occupations, and industrial
organizations etc. at the same time Economics provides sociology with data and information that are
necessary for sociological generalization. Such matters as social classes, socio-economic planning,
poverty, overpopulation, unemployment etc, have both social and economic implications and are
common subject matter of both. Thus, The area of co-operation between Sociology and Economics is
widening There are some problems which are being studied by both sociologists and economists, and are
working together in their study of the problems of economic development in underdeveloped countries.
Combined efforts of both the experts may be of great practical help in meeting the challenges.
Economic changes results in social changes and vice versa. However, in spite of the above closeness,
inter-relationship and inter-dependence both the sciences have certain differences which are
described below:
(1) Sociology is a science of society and social relationships whereas economics is a science of
wealth and choice.
(2) Sociology is a much younger science which has very recent origin whereas economics is
comparatively an older science.
(3) Sociology is an abstract science whereas economics is concrete in nature.
(4) Sociology is a general social science whereas economics is a specialize social science.
(5) The scope of sociology is very wide whereas the scope of economics is very limited.
(6) Sociology is concerned with the social activities of man whereas economics is concerned with
the economic activities of man.
(7) Society is studied as a unit of study in Sociology whereas man is taken as a unit of study in
economics.
(8) Both Sociology and economics differ from each other in respect of the methods and techniques
they use for their study.
In spite of the difference between them, Sociology, and Economics are essentially related because
both are concerned with human behavior. Economics relationship bears a close relation to social
activities. At the same time, social relationships are also affected by economics activities. In fact,
sociologists have pointed out that economic relations are not isolated from other types of social
relationships. On the other hand, economists like, Sombart, Weber, Pareto said that the study of
economics would be incomplete without an understanding of human society. Thus, Max Weber has
examined the influence of religious ideas on economic activities. Similarly, Karl Marx has studied the role
of economic factors in society particularly with regard to social change.
UNIT – II D. Sociology and Social Anthropology
The word ‘Anthropology’ is derived from two Greek words, ‘anthropos’ meaning ‘man’ and ‘logos’
meaning ‘science’. Thus, etymologically, ‘anthropology’ means ‘science of man”. It is broadly defined as
the study of man and his works and behaviors. It is concerned with man in group and not with a
particular man.

Anthropology is one of the broadest social sciences. Therefore it is further divided into different
branches such as – 1. Organic or Physical Anthropology and 2. Socio-Cultural Anthropology. Organic or
Physical Anthropology studies man as a biological being, that is, as a member of the animal kingdom.
Physical Anthropology studies the physical characteristics of mankind such as racial division and
evolution of man, his bodily characteristics, racial features, and the influence of environment and
heredity on the physical characteristics of man. It deals with the biological aspects of human beings.

Socio-cultural Anthropology deals with the origin and development of man’s culture and social
institutions of primitive communities of the past as well as that of the present.
Differences between Sociology and Social Anthropology
Social Anthropology and Sociology are two distinct sciences. They differ from each other in certain
respect. The major differences between the two sciences are as follows.
1. Social Anthropology specializes in simple societies like villages, tribes and the pre-literate
societies with special reference to their culture. On the other hand, Sociology studies simple and complex,
modern and complex urban-industrial societies in all their aspects.
2. Sociology and Social Anthropology also differ in their approach and method of data
collection. Sociology makes use of various method and techniques like observation, interview, and
questionnaires with social survey as its chief method in its approach to study society. On the other hand,
Anthropology adopts participant observation as its chief method of data collection. Social anthropologists
generally live in the community that they study in order to observe and record what they see
3. Sociology studies civilizations which are vast and dynamic on the other hand Anthropology
studies cultures which are small and static.
Relationship between Sociology and Social Anthropology
In spite of the differences between them, Sociology and Social Anthropology are closely related,
because both are interested in social organization and social structures. According to Hoebel, “sociology
and Social Anthropology are in their broadest sense one and the same”. Similarly, Evans Pritchard
regards Social Anthropology as a branch of Sociology.
Sociological topics such as origin of family, the beginnings of marriage, private property, the genesis
of religion etc are better understood in the light of Anthropological knowledge. Further Sociology has
borrowed many concepts like ‘cultural area’, ‘culture traits’, ‘cultural lag’, etc from Socio-cultural
Anthropology. Thus, the relationship between the two sciences is very close that they are often
considered as identical. Especially in India, there is practically no difference between Sociology and Social
Anthropology. This is because, India is pre-dominantly a land of simple societies and many sociologists
have studied tribes and village communities.
Sociologists have to depend upon anthropologists to understand the present-day social phenomena
from our knowledge of the past which is often provided by anthropology. Thus, Anthropology as a
discipline is so closely related to sociology that the two are frequently indistinguishable that A.L. Kroeber
considers Sociology and Anthropology as twin sisters.
The conclusions drawn by sociologists have also helped the anthropologists in their studies. There is
an increasing number of anthropological studies in advanced societies, like the studies of little
community, kinship groups, etc. Some basic concepts such as structure, function, status, role, conflict,
change and evaluation are used by both sociologists and social anthropologists. These feature differences
indicate the interdependence of sociology and social anthropology in understanding social behavior.