Social balance is a theory that examines how society’s social structures are in harmony with their surroundings. In other words, a system is in equilibrium when it is at its most stable state. This principle is particularly useful when the social systems are disturbed because small changes to one element will have ripple effects on other parts of the system. Ideally, social balance should be achieved in an environment where all members are happy and satisfied with their jobs. The concept of social equilibrium is a valuable tool in social science.
To measure social balance, an organization must consider the costs and benefits of its activities in relation to the population and environment. A good example of a balanced system is a power plant. A power plant would create a high-voltage line that would serve a community well, but if the energy needed for the generators is wasted, the energy saved by this system would not be used to power the lights. For a sustainable and equitable system, the energy used for the plant should be distributed equally among stakeholders.
Although the theory of social balance was originally developed to explain interpersonal relations, it has also been used to explain attitudes toward things. For example, a triad of the first person A, second person O, and third person X would be balanced if all three people liked the same type of country music. However, a triad that contains two individuals who dislike each other would be unbalanced. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to show how these two sets of individuals influence one another in society.
The social balance theory of Talcott Parsons was the first major theory of social balance. In this book, he proposed a boundary between wealth and poverty. This boundary was a line that divided privately produced goods from publicly rendered services. These theories have remained relevant ever since. In addition to the Theory of Social Balance, economic development policy should also be implemented that involves a diversified production and export system. This way, the economic growth of a country can be sustained.
This theory of social balance describes how people’s feelings and actions affect one another. The psychological balance of the triad is a key component in our daily lives. When people like each other, they are more likely to interact with them. The imbalanced triads create an uncomfortable feeling for both parties. This pattern can lead to new attitudes, and the formation of new ones is a natural reaction. This means that the social balance of relationships is a crucial aspect of the welfare of a society.
For social balance, a society’s political and social structure should be in harmony with its values. As Galbraith notes, the lack of a balance in the political sphere has a negative effect on the quality of life. Furthermore, it undermines the economic role of the state. It may also affect the way in which people communicate. Moreover, it can also be detrimental to the welfare of those in the society. This is a crucial question in the theory of social balance.
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