A social action affects the behavior of other individuals.
The term we are now dealing with can be determined to have its etymological origin in Latin, as demonstrated by the fact that the two words that make it up come from the aforementioned language. Thus, firstly, 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 sense, a social action is one that affects the behavior of others.
The sociologist Max Weber contemplated four types of social action: traditional (linked to customs), affective (related to emotions), rational according to values (guided by a moral norm) and that destined to obtain a rational end .
Assistance to those in need
Beyond this definition, social action is usually used to refer to programs and aid that are generally complementary to the welfare benefits provided by the State , although there is also state social action.
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 directed to promoting education or distributing food, for example.
Social action is often associated with welfare.
Examples of social action
For example, in the case of Colombia there is an agency for social action called the Department for Social Prosperity, which has the clear mission of achieving a series of specific objectives that revolve around this principle. These objectives include 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 vulnerable or abandoned situations...
In Spain, it is worth highlighting the Platform of NGOs for Social Action, which is characterised by being state-owned, non-profit, private and non-denominational. With its launch and its work, it aims to carry out all kinds of plans and projects that promote and develop the set of rights of citizens who belong to the most vulnerable groups. Specifically, this organisation is made up of more than twenty NGOs.
Disaster relief
On the other hand, social action also appears at specific times, in the face of natural disasters or emergency situations. A province suffering from drought can be the recipient of social action from the rest of the country. The same is true for a nation at war that can receive assistance from its neighbouring countries to help the civilian population 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.