138 THE SOCIAL THEORY OF GEORG SIMMEL 
more immediate normative influence than the law and the 
mores, and it requires no contribution and support from 
the group to make it effective. Hence the tendency of 
society to urge moral perfection and to appeal to the con- 
science of the individual. A conscience that works effec- 
tively has this advantage for society, that the individual 
gives himself the reward for his adequate social behavior 
which would otherwise have to be guaranteed to him in 
one form or another by either custom or law. 
The mores are the characteristic form of norm for the 
small group. Formerly they were the sole regulator of so- 
cial life; today they function in conjunction with morality 
and law. Nearly all mores are class mores, that is, norms 
for small social circles. Non-conformity is punished by so- 
cial disapproval and by the immediate reactions of those 
observing it. The sphere of the mores is therefore the small 
circle in which the immediate reciprocities between indi- 
viduals still form the main basis of the social union. 
In large groups these immediate reciprocities become 
less important and are in some cases entirely absent. The 
large group can therefore not rely on the mores to guaran- 
tee an adequate social behavior on the part of individuals. 
It must create on the one hand definitely fixed and clearly 
defined objective standards, and on the other hand special 
organs whose task it is to see that these standards are com- 
plied with. For the state this means the formulation of stat- 
ute law and the creation of a judiciary and a police force. 
The mores regulate a large part of the individual’s ex- 
istence, but their function is limited to a small social circle 
and their sanction is not always sufficient. The law regu- 
lates a small part of the individual’s existence, but its func- 
tion extends over a large social circle and its sanction is 
guaranteed by severe and forceful restraint. Morality reg- 
ulates the whole of the individual’s existence, but it has