The social Theory of Georg Simmel

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Multivolume work

Identifikator:: 1892063557

Document type:: Multivolume work

Author:: Lamprecht, Karl http://d-nb.info/gnd/118569015

Title:: Deutsche Geschichte

Place of publication:: Berlin

Publisher:: Gaertner

Year of publication:: 1891-

Collection:: Economics Books

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Volume

Identifikator:: 1892072254

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-237894

Document type:: Volume

Author:: Lamprecht, Karl http://d-nb.info/gnd/118569015

Title:: Neueste Zeit

Volume count:: Abt. 3

Place of publication:: Berlin

Publisher:: Weidmann

Year of publication:: 1907

Scope:: XII, 539 S.

Digitisation:: 2022

Collection:: Economics Books

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Document type:: Multivolume work

Structure type:: Chapter

Title:: Fünftes Kapitel. Fortschritte des politischen Denkens

Collection:: Economics Books

156 THE SOCIAL THEORY OF GEORG SIMMEL The best illustration of the first instance can be found in the organization of nomadic tribes and in the special formations of otherwise sedentary peoples during their actual migrations. The effect seems to be a suppression or a dissolution of internal differentiation, often accom- panied by a strong personal despotism. The patriarchal organization of the family among no- madic people finds its counterpart in a despotism of the group over the individual in times of actual migration. It resulted immediately from the fact that these migra- tions, even if not directly for war purposes, required none the less a military form of organization. But it was a mili- tary organization of a character different from the one that is found among sedentary people. The latter means a spe- cial fixed organization intersecting all existing group forma- tions, and presupposes a far-going differentiation and an advanced division of labor. A differentiation and division of labor presupposes, however, either a narrow spatial con- tact or an intensive functional contact of elements. Those conditions did not exist among primitive nomadic tribes. They consisted of dispersed families which were largely self-contained and self-sufficient and in no functional re- lations with one another. The food conditions drove them to spatial dispersion and forced them to separate. Only the need of mutual protection drove them to spatial contrac- tion and brought them together. Their actual combination during such periods of migration was therefore not based on an organic synthesis, but it took the form of a mere me- chanical aggregation of equal elements held together by a more or less personal despotism. The members of a wandering group are very dependent on one another, and this temporary but immediate common interest overshadows the existing differences which a sed- entary life would bring to full expression. A certain fun-

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