Social equilibrium
Business, industry, community and society are interdependent and interrelated. The dynamic force of change affects the whole system. All elements of the social system are involved — its people, formal and informal organization, communication networks, economic, labour force decision-making process and pattern of cooperation and competition. Whether we are speaking of a department, government or institution, the social system is operating in such a way that the different parts are harmoniously related to one another to maintain equilibrium.
In trying to maintain equilibrium, a group develop responses return to its perceived best way of life whenever any change occurs. Each pressure therefore encourages a counter pressure within the group. The result is a self-
correcting mechanism by which energies are called up to restore balance whenever change threatens this equilibrium. The self-correcting characteristics of organizations is called homeostasis that is, people to establish steady state of need fulfilment and to secure them from d1sturbane of that balance.
Viewed as a whole, the idea of social equilibrium implies
(1) System of interrelated parts,
(2) A dynamic state of motion, rather than a static system,
(3) an interdependence such that a change in one part affects all others, and
(4) a homeostatic tendency to resist pressures and maintain a steady state (but not a static state).
Equilibrium implies that some frictions, jockeying and trading among departments and groups are normal conditions of the organization, because its social system is a continuous motion. Social systems are never perfectly frictionless; hence never reach an idyllic state of perfection without conflicts or problems.
With the passage of time each social system develops programs of .action which it can put into effect to accommodate change as it occurs. When a change is minor and within the scope of the correcting program, adjustment is fairly routine but when a change is major or unusual, more serious upsets may occur.
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