Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 8.djvu/617

 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY 597

the relationships of its structure to the external environment. There is, then, both an internal and an external equilibration. When the external environment is likewise composed of social aggregates, there arises, from the very fact of their mutual equilibration, a composite social aggregate which is subject in its turn to similar conditions of equilibrium. From the mere juxtaposition of two or more societies which, as we may sup- pose, are closed to each other, there result, in every case,interso- cial forms and reciprocal actions and reactions analogous to those which are manifested in every social aggregate by the seven classes of phenomena. So true is this that, in order that the entire series of phenomena may be produced as in a chemical laboratory, it is sufficient merely to place the constitutive ele- ments of societies together.

A structure reduced to its simplest, most general expression, that is to say, a structure as homogeneous as a social aggregate can be, evidently remains in equilibrium only when confronted by the simplest internal and external conditions. If new cir- cumstances arise for example, either a scarcity of game, fish, and natural fruits or an abundance of the same such a struc- ture is quickly disposed either to go to pieces or to develop. It is necessary in every case that it adapt itself to the new con- ditions. This is true with respect to relations to external con- ditions whether they are social or not.

Every social aggregate is thus, so long as it exists, a state, status in the broadest sense of this word; that is to say, a struc- ture held in equilibrium. This equilibrium is necessary and con- stant, although mobile and variable. It is a living equilibrium. This is a social law of the highest generality.

We have just seen how this social equilibrium comes about in its simplest form. It results when a social mass, which is limited by boundaries of greater or less extent, and all of whose inter- nal parts are arranged in mutual equilibrium in a structure of the whole, maintains itself in equilibrium with respect to its environment. The precise object of social statics is the deter- mination of the conditions of this equilibrium. All the ante- cedent sciences, mathematics, mechanics, astronomy, physics,