Definition of Social Action

Definition of Social Action

The term that now occupies us we can determine that it has its etymological origin in the Latin as it demonstrates the fact that the two words that conform it come from the aforementioned language. Thus, in the first place, action is the result of the sum of the word actus , which can be translated as "carried out", and of the suffix - tion , which is equivalent to "action and effect".

In the second place, the social word comes from the Latin concept socius that it exercises as a synonym of "partner".

The concept of social action belongs to the universe of sociology , which is the science that is dedicated to the study of social groups. In its broadest meaning, a social action is one that affects the behavior of others. The sociologist Max Weber contemplated four types of social action: the traditional (linked to the customs), the affective (related to emotions), the rational according to values (guided by a moral norm) and the one destined to obtain a rational purpose .

Beyond this definition, it is usually called as a social action programs and aids that, in general, are complementary to the welfare benefits provided by the State , although there is also state social action.

In this sense, the main objective of social action is to satisfy basic needs that, for different reasons, a group of the population can not satisfy. In this way, social action can be aimed at promoting education or distributing food, for example.

Thus, for example, in the case of Colombia there is an agency for social action called the Department for Social Prosperity, whose clear mission is to achieve a series of specific objectives that revolve around this principle. Aims to achieve such as the development of social inclusion plans, the coordination and creation of opportunities for the poor, the implementation of actions for the protection of children and families in situations of vulnerability or neglect ...

In Spain, for its part, it is worth highlighting the Social Action NGO Platform, which is characterized by being state, non-profit, private and non-denominational. With its implementation and its work, it aims to carry out all types of plans and projects that promote and develop the set of rights of citizens who belong to the most vulnerable groups. Specifically, this body is formed by more than twenty NGOs.

On the other hand, social action also appears at specific times, in the face of natural catastrophes or emergency situations. A province suffering from drought may be the recipient of social action in the rest of the country. The same with a nation that is at war and can receive the assistance of its neighboring countries to help the civilian population that is affected by the conflict.

In other words, this type of action aims to transform the state of things to achieve another state with a higher quality of life. Social action pursues the common good and does not seek to satisfy personal interests.