30 THE SOCIAL THEORY OF GEORG SIMMEL

lows, however, that a factor which is negative and diminutive
 in the relationship between certain individuals if considered
 in a given direction and by itself has the same
effect throughout the totality of relationships. In thelarger
circle the perspective may be wholly different. The simplest
 illustration of such an instance is the competition
of individuals within the economic system. Competition,
which is a special form of conflict, is a relationship which,
if viewed in the totality of social interactions, may be seen
to play a positive role and to contribute to the unity of the
group.!
The social unities which result from these processes of
mutual influencing, these processes of socialization (Vergesellschaftung),
 may therefore be of different duration and
of different gradation. They may range from the ephemeral
 association for a promenade to the permanence of the
family group, from the temporary aggregation of guests
in a hotel to the intimate bond of a medieval guild.?
It follows, further, that a given group of individuals
may be socialized to a greater or less degree. With each
new growth of synthetic formations, with each new party
organization, with each association for common work or
association on the basis of common feeling and thinking,
the same group becomes more socialized than it was before.
 Socialization between persons incessantly takes place
and ceases. Society is not a simple, fixed concept; there
can be more or less of it. There is never in existence “society”
 in an absolute sense, as a condition necessary to
enable these interactions to take place, for there is no
reciprocal influencing in an absolute sense, there are
merely particular species. With the occurrence of these
socializations, society puts in an appearance. They are
1 Soz., pp. 249-50.
2 I'bed.. p. 6.