What is social integration? Value

The term "integration" has shifted to social sciences from other disciplines - biology, physics, etc. It is understood as the state of the connectedness of differentiated elements to the whole, as well as the course of combining these components. Let us further consider the process of social integration.

General information

The term "social integration" in modern literature is not given much attention. The sources lack a clear conceptual apparatus. However, some general characteristics of the category can be identified. объединение в целое, совместное сосуществование элементов системы, ранее разрозненных, на основе их взаимной дополняемости и зависимости. Social integration is the unification into a whole, the co-existence of the elements of the system, previously disparate, on the basis of their mutual complementarity and dependence. Analyzing the encyclopedic data, we can define the concept as:

1. The degree to which an individual feels belonging to a group or a collective on the basis of convictions, values, norms shared with the association.
2. Integration of elements and parts into one whole.
3. The degree to which the functions of individual institutions and subsystems become mutually complementary rather than contradictory.
4. The existence of special institutions that support the coordinated activities of other subsystems.

O. Comte, G. Spencer, E. Durkheim

Within the framework of positivist sociology, the principles of a functional approach to integration were first actualized. According to Comte, cooperation, which is based on the division of labor, ensures the maintenance of harmony and the establishment of "universal" consent. Spencer distinguished two states. He said that there is differentiation and integration. Social development for Durkheim was considered within the framework of two structures: with mechanical and organic solidarity. Under the latter scientist understood the unity of the team, the consensus established in it. Solidarity is determined or explained by differentiation. Cohesion Durkheim understood as a condition of stability, the survival of the team. As the main function of social institutions, he saw integration.

The phenomenon of suicide

While studying suicide, Durkheim searched for factors that protected the individual from isolation. By results of researches he has revealed, that the quantity of suicides is directly proportional to a level of integration of those groups into which the person enters. The position of the scientist is based on the idea that people's behavior aimed at the realization of collective interests forms the basis for cohesion. , по мнению Дюркгейма, политическая активность и моральное воспитание. The key factors on the basis of which social integration occurs are , according to Durkheim, political activity and moral upbringing. Close position was occupied by Simmel. He converges with Durkheim in the sense that he also opened functional equivalents of the simplest relations of custom in the institutions and structures of capitalism. They must support the unity of the traditional collective. . Simmel also considers socio-economic integration . He points out that the division of labor and operations in the sphere of management contribute to the strengthening of trust in relations between people. Accordingly, this provides more successful integration.

T. Parsons

– явления, имеющие тесную связь. He believed that social adaptation and integration are phenomena that have a close relationship. Parsons argued that the formation and maintenance of relationships and interactions is one of the functional conditions of balance in the team along with the achievement of goals and the preservation of values. обеспечивают солидарность индивидов, необходимую степень их лояльности по отношению друг к другу и к структуре в целом. For the researcher, social adaptation and integration ensure the solidarity of individuals, the necessary degree of their loyalty to each other and to the structure as a whole. The desire to unite people is considered a fundamental property, a functional imperative societal collective. He, acting as the core of society, provides different orders and degrees of internal integration. This order, on the one hand, requires a definite and clear solidarity in the sequence of the normative model, and on the other, - societal "coordination" and "harmony." обладает компенсаторным характером. Thus, the integration of social activity has a compensatory character. It promotes the restoration of equilibrium after past perturbations and guarantees the reproduction and continuity of collective existence.

Internationalization

She, according to Parson, is the basis for social integration. формирует определенные коллективные ценности. The society forms certain collective values. They are "absorbed" by the individual who was born in it, within the framework of interaction with other people. явление. Thus, integration is a social and communicative phenomenon. Adherence to universally valid standards becomes an element of a person's motivational structure, his need. This phenomenon was described quite clearly by JG Mead. According to his ideas, an individual needs to introduce into his personal consciousness a social process in the form of adopting an attitude that is valid for other people in relation to him and to him and to each other. Then his behavior is directed towards collective activity. From this it follows that the formation and existence of personality are realized in the course of interaction of the subject with members of a particular social group, communication, joint affairs.

Specificity of interaction

This phenomenon as a whole is presented in the form of a definite system. It has a close functional relationship between the centers of relations. The behavior or state of one is immediately reflected on the other. Changes in one individual, currently dominant, determine (often hidden) adjustments in counterparty activity. возможны при формировании между субъектами функциональных связей – отношений взаимодействия. From this it follows that the unity, high integration of the social group are possible when forming between the subjects functional links - relations of interaction.

The opinion of Charles Mills

. This American researcher studied the order (structural) problems of social integration . During the analysis, he came to an important conclusion. Solidarity of structures focuses on combining the motivations of activists. Interpersonal way is the mutual penetration of the actions of individuals under the influence of ethical standards. . As a result, social and cultural integration takes place.

Unity of the individual and behavior

This question was considered by M. Weber. He believed that the individual acts as a "cell" of sociology and history, "the simplest unity," which is not subject to further splitting and disintegration. I.K. Khuli analyzed the phenomenon through the initial integrity of public consciousness and the relationship between society and man. As noted by the researcher, the unity of consciousness is not in similarity, but in mutual influence, organization, causal connection of components.

Properties

, таким образом, выступает как характеристика степени совпадения целей, ценностей, интересов разнообразных объединений и индивидов. Social integration , thus, acts as a characteristic of the degree of coincidence of goals, values, interests of various associations and individuals. Close concepts in various aspects are accord, solidarity, solidarity, partnership. As a natural variant of its absolutization, syncretism is considered. He assumes the value of the individual not so much in itself, but on the basis of his belonging to this or that unity, organization, association. The subject is seen as a component of the whole. And its value is determined by the contribution that it makes.

Legal factor

It acts as another prerequisite for the integration of the individual into society. Concepts of jurisprudence were used in their works by G. Spencer, M. Weber, T. Parsons, G. Gurvich. All opinions of scientists converge in fact. They believe that law is a certain set of restrictions and measures of freedom. Through fixed norms of behavior, it acts as the basis for the self-reproduction of connections between individuals.

The concept of Yu. Habermas

In discussions about the life structure and the world within the framework of conceptual strategies, the scientist claims that the fundamental problem of the theory is the problem of connecting in a satisfactory way two directions, denoted by the terms "life world" and "structure." According to Habermas, the first is "social integration". In the framework of strategies, another important factor is described. It is communication. The approach to research is concentrated on several elements. First of all, this is the life world. In addition, the nature of the integration of the system of actions is analyzed through a consensus established or reached in communication. Theorists, starting from the latter, identify the unification of individuals with the life world.

Thoughts of E. Giddens

рассматривалась не как синоним консенсуса либо сплоченности, а как взаимодействие. To these scientists, the integration of the social system was not viewed as synonymous with consensus or cohesion, but as interaction. The scientist differentiates between concepts. In particular, he shares the systemic and social integration. The latter is the interaction of collectives, which form the basis of the unification of individuals as a whole. предполагает взаимоотношения между субъектами активности. Social integration presupposes a relationship between subjects of activity. Giddens defines it as a structure on a personal level. , по его мнению, предполагает временное и пространственное присутствие взаимодействующих агентов. Social integration , in his opinion, implies the temporary and spatial presence of interacting agents.

Research by NN Fedotova

She believes that any definition of social integration will not be universal. Fedotov explains his position by the fact that they take into account only a few components functioning in the world. , по мнению ученого, представляет собой комплекс феноменов, за счет которых происходит соединение разнородных взаимодействующих звеньев в целое. Social integration , according to the scientist, is a complex of phenomena, due to which the heterogeneous interacting links are connected to the whole. It acts as a form of maintaining a certain balance and stability in the associations of individuals. When analyzing Fedotov, he identifies two key approaches. The first is connected with the interpretation of integration in accordance with common values, the second - on the basis of interdependence in the conditions of the division of labor.

The point of view of VD Zaitsev

According to the scientist, consideration of the unity of the goals, beliefs, values, views of individuals as one of the key reasons for their integration should be considered insufficiently legitimate. Zaytsev explains his position as follows. Each person has his own system of preferences, values, views, and integration involves mainly joint activity based on interpersonal interaction. It is her, Zaitsev believes, should be considered as a defining feature.

conclusions

The space of social integration, thus, contributes to the formation of a communicative model of man. It provides an opportunity to consciously and unconsciously comprehend the necessary, adequate and productive practices of interacting with the help of previously mastered roles. As a result, the individual is formed the behavior expected by the team, conditioned by the status of the subject - his position, associated with specific rights, duties and norms. Social integration as a whole boils down to:

1. Uniting people on the basis of common values and mutual dependence.
2. Forming of practices of interaction and interpersonal relations, mutual adaptation between collectives and individuals.

Above, a lot of concepts are considered. In practice, a single theory, with which it would be possible to reveal the universal foundations of the phenomenon, is absent.

Social, Educational Integration

The foundations of sciences, studied in antiquity, had the form of integral knowledge. Comenius believed that everything that is in the relationship, should be taught in the same form. The question of integration in education arises in situations where it is necessary to introduce children with developmental disabilities into school. It is worth saying that such cases can not be called mass. As a rule, we are talking about interaction with a specific child and parents, to one degree or another - with an educational institution, a kindergarten. с детьми, имеющими нарушения, во многом обуславливается уровнем организации психолого-педагогического сопровождения. Integration in social work with children with disabilities is largely due to the level of organization of psychological and pedagogical support.

Relevance of the issue

Currently there is a tendency to integrate different disciplines. This is due to the increase in the volume of factual material in the sciences, the understanding of the complexity of the subjects studied, laws, phenomena, theories. All this can not but be reflected in pedagogical practice. This is confirmed by the expansion of the number of disciplines studied in educational institutions of a new type. The consequence of the processes is an increase in attention to interdisciplinary interactions within the framework of organizational and methodological support. In the curricula of secondary schools, various disciplines that are integrative in content (OBL, social studies, etc.) are introduced. Taking into account the rather extensive experience that has been formed in the pedagogical sphere, one can speak about the existing approach connected with the research and use of methods in education and training to increase their effectiveness.

Socio-economic integration

It is considered the highest level of division of labor at the international level. Economic integration is linked to the formation of stable and deep interrelationships between the associations of states. This phenomenon is based on the pursuit of coherent policies by different countries. In the course of such integration, the process of reproduction is fused, scientific cooperation is intensified, and close trade and economic ties are created. As a result, there are zones of preferences, free trade, customs unions, common markets. This leads to the formation of an economic union and full integration.

Contemporary Issues

Currently, the subject of research is socio-cultural integration. In rapidly changing modern conditions, young people are forced to adjust their behavior to the surrounding circumstances. Recently, this problem has been discussed in the pedagogical sphere. Modern realities force us to rethink the concepts that existed for a long time, to search for new resources and opportunities in technologies and practice. This issue is exacerbated during the crisis periods. In such situations, social and cultural integration becomes the most important condition for the quality of life, a means to ensure the continuity of the individual biography, the preservation of mental personal health in a deformed society.

Determinants

The severity and scale of the problem of socio-cultural integration are determined by the content of reforms, the increasing institutional alienation of people, the impersonality of the individual within the framework of professional relations. Of no small importance is the non-optimal functioning of state and civil institutions. Non-integration of people, provoked by the content and scale of the changes in the usual psychological, cultural, social, professional environment, begins to take on an all-encompassing character. As a result, established connections are broken. In particular, the professionally-corporate, ethno-cultural, spiritual community is lost. The marginalization of large associations of the population, including young people, the difficulties in self-realization and self-identification are accompanied by an increase in personal dissatisfaction in key areas of life and growing tension.

Disadvantages of existing state programs

The activities carried out within the framework of state policy do not completely eliminate the problems that have arisen. Young people need systemic measures. Considering the complex of measures aimed at creating conditions for intellectual, creative, professional, cultural self-realization of the individual, it is necessary to note the inadequacy of the developed projects. This, in turn, actualizes the issue of planning the functioning of the relevant institutions based not only on the situational approach. In practice, it is necessary to introduce and systemic methods. The search for additional reserves can not be limited to a range of professional, leisure and other organizations. It is necessary to reconsider the priorities and functions of all institutions, the organization of the entire model of their interaction.

Individualization

It is carried out through joint activities. The result of individualization is a person's recognition of his creative, intellectual, physical, moral difference from other people. As a result, a person is formed - an infinite, unique being. However, in reality a person is always within the framework. It is limited by conditions, sociocultural environment, resources (temporary, biological, etc.).

Moral aspect

As one of the most important factors is the set of values of the individual. It is at the same time the core of society, it reflects the spiritual quintessence of the interests and needs of individuals and their groups. Depending on the functions, values can be unifying or differentiating. At the same time, the same category can realize different tasks under different conditions. Values are one of the key incentives for social activities. They promote the unification of individuals, ensure their entry into the collective, helping to implement an acceptable choice of behavior in significant cases. The more universal is the value, the higher will be the integrating function of social actions stimulated by it. In this regard, ensuring the moral unity of the collective should be regarded as the most important direction of state policy.