A social action affects the behavior of other individuals.
The term that concerns us now can be determined that it has its etymological origin in Latin, as demonstrated by the fact that the two words that make it up come from the aforementioned language. Thus, first of all, action is the result of the sum of the word actus , which can be translated as "carried out", and the suffix -ción , which is equivalent to "action and effect."
Secondly, the word social comes from the Latin concept socius, which acts as a synonym for "companion."
Concept and types of social action
The concept of social action belongs to the universe of sociology , which is the science dedicated to the study of social groups. In its broadest meaning, a social action is one that affects the behavior of others.
The sociologist Max Weber contemplated four types of social action: the traditional (linked to customs), the affective (related to emotions), the rational according to values (guided by a moral norm) and the one intended to obtain a rational goal. .
Assistance to those in need
Beyond this definition, social action is usually referred to as programs and aid that are generally complementary to the assistance benefits provided by the State , although state social action also exists.
In this sense, social action has as its main objective to satisfy basic needs that, for different reasons, a group of the population cannot satisfy. In this way, social action can be aimed at promoting education or distributing food, for example.
Social action is usually associated with welfare.
Examples of social action
Thus, for example, in the case of Colombia there is an organization for social action called the Department for Social Prosperity whose clear mission is to achieve a series of specific objectives that revolve around that principle. These aims to be achieved such as the development of social inclusion plans, the coordination and creation of opportunities for the poor population, the implementation of actions for the protection of children and families in situations of vulnerability or helplessness...
In Spain, for its part, it is worth highlighting the Social Action NGO Platform, which is characterized by being state-owned, non-profit, private and non-denominational. With its implementation and its work, it aims to carry out all types of plans and projects that promote and develop the set of rights of citizens who belong to the most vulnerable groups. Specifically, this organization is made up of more than twenty NGOs.
Disaster relief
On the other hand, social action also appears at specific moments, in the face of natural disasters or emergency situations. A province that suffers from drought can be the recipient of social action from the rest of the country. The same with a nation that is at war and can receive assistance from its neighboring countries to help the civilian population that is affected by the conflict.
In other words, this type of action aims to transform the state of things to achieve another state with a higher quality of life. Social action pursues the common good and does not seek to satisfy personal interests.