In a small town in the Midwest, all of the children attend the same school and most of the community members attend the same church. Everyone in this community knows everyone else, and they have shared numerous experiences with one another. This community would be characterized by Ferdinand Tönnies as a
A) group with organic solidarity.
B) Gemeinschaft.
C) group with mechanical solidarity.
D) Gesellschaft.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Tönnies characterized communities like the one described, where relationships are personal, close, and tied to tradition and shared experiences, as Gemeinschaft. This contrasts with Gesellschaft, which describes more impersonal, distant relationships often found in larger, more urban settings.

In a Small Town in the Midwest, All of the Children