social system

Also found in: Thesaurus, Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.

Related to social system: social structure

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

social system - the people in a society considered as a system organized by a characteristic pattern of relationships; "the social organization of England and America is very different"; "sociologists have studied the changing structure of the family"

social organisation, social organization, social structure, structure

society - an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

feudal system, feudalism - the social system that developed in Europe in the 8th century; vassals were protected by lords who they had to serve in war

patriarchy, patriarchate - a form of social organization in which a male is the family head and title is traced through the male line

matriarchate, matriarchy - a form of social organization in which a female is the family head and title is traced through the female line

meritocracy - a form of social system in which power goes to those with superior intellects

pluralism - a social organization in which diversity of racial or religious or ethnic or cultural groups is tolerated

form of government, political system - the members of a social organization who are in power

class structure - the organization of classes within a society

separatism, segregation - a social system that provides separate facilities for minority groups

system, scheme - a group of independent but interrelated elements comprising a unified whole; "a vast system of production and distribution and consumption keep the country going"

References in classic literature ?

I am an example of some of the workings of the social system of this illustrious country on the individual native, during the early part of the present century; and, if I may say so without unbecoming vanity, I should like to quote myself for the edification of my countrymen.

View in context

That terrifying product of the social system he belonged to and believed in, the young girl who knew nothing and expected everything, looked back at him like a stranger through May Welland's familiar features; and once more it was borne in on him that marriage was not the safe anchorage he had been taught to think, but a voyage on uncharted seas.

View in context

Over our whole social system, complacent Imbecility rules supreme -- snuffs out the searching light of Intelligence with total impunity -- and hoots, owl-like, in answer to every form of protest, See how well we all do in the dark!

View in context

But I may be pardoned, if on such a theme as the general character of the American people, and the general character of their social system, as presented to a stranger's eyes, I desire to express my own opinions in a few words, before I bring these volumes to a close.

View in context

"He ought not to be selfish, but he will continue to be selfish as long as he lives in a social system that is based on pig-ethics."

View in context

At the head of the social system, as the clergymen of that day stood, he was only the more trammelled by its regulations, its principles, and even its prejudices.

View in context

'but I am sure you know that the whole social system is a question of self-interest.

View in context

I take it that my business in the social system is to be agreeable; I take it that everybody's business in the social system is to be agreeable.

View in context

This sentiment has degenerated into a kind of religious superstition in families to which cretins belong; but does it not spring from the most beautiful of Christian virtues--from charity, and from a belief in a reward hereafter, that most effectual support of our social system, and the one thought that enables us to endure our miseries?

View in context

It is of little moment that one or two or twenty errors of our social system be corrected, but of much that the man be in his senses.

View in context

'You must excuse me, but I cannot enter into your peculiar views.' One of my views at present is that Miss Lindsay is more amiable under the influence of hemlock than under that of the social system which has made her so unhappy."

View in context

He was hot on the French social systems, and talked of going to the Backwoods to found a sort of Pythagorean community.