The Principles of Constraint

Perhaps the best way of thinking about these principles is to imagine a group of castaways,
say about 100 persons, on an island with no hope of discovery for some time. They have few
options but to start to build a society because it is only as an entity (even if there is
disagreement) they are likely to survive. Before they can decide on specifics such as where to
build shelter and what kinds may be needed, they have to establish rules for interaction, rules
for social living. It is these rules we refer to as the basic principles of
constraint in society.

■ Institutions: One constraint we all live with is

that we are born into a society where there are
already rules, norms and values laid out. The fact
that they exist indicates that our ancestors saw the
need for collaboration to achieve some basic goals.
The castaways would have brought with them this
knowledge of institutions as a principle of constraint
and would use it to set about making shared rules
and agreements to provide for human needs.

■ Socialisation: On the island, a division of labour

has to be established. Survival depends on persons
acknowledging that behaviours such as co-operation,
sharing, collaboration and partnerships are likely to
stand them in better stead than competition, rivalry
and individualism, for example. While the institutions
of the family and education were the main socialising
influences at home, here a system of sanctions and
punishments has to be enforced to encourage or
discourage certain behaviours.

■ Organisation: The principle of organisation

includes the methods, procedures and arrangements
the castaways put in place for accomplishing some
task, e.g.. some persons are selected to establish a
viable food supply. The group has to develop ways of
decision making and communication

■ Social control: Coming together in groups to create

and develop processes and structures that will help
the group to survive depends on a certain amount
of consensus about the absolutely essential things. A
system of rules and punishments is set up to ensure
social control or social order. This is based on the
idea of being fair to others.
■ Social change: This principle of constraint relates
to the fact that in all societies there are ways of
organising to change the rules. Some people join
together to bring about change, others resist, and still
others acquiesce. Change may be peaceful, violent
or characterised by continuous tensions. In the new
society some groups may actually grow to prefer their
new life while others may press for more resources
to be diverted to build a boat large enough to escape
from the island.