30 THE SOCIAL THEORY OF GEORG SIMMEL 
lows, however, that a factor which is negative and diminu- 
tive in the relationship between certain individuals if con- 
sidered 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 sim- 
plest 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 (Ver- 
gesellschaftung), may therefore be of different duration and 
of different gradation. They may range from the epheme- 
ral 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 be- 
fore. 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 “so- 
ciety” 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.