What groups (gender, class, etc.) do they see as important structural divisions in society?
According to Smith, the most influential groups in the structural division are; the government, an individual, and manufacturers. Both groups are responsible for promoting the economic success of a country. Manufacturers are vital since they ensure that enough goods and services are being produced to cater to their consumers. More production of products increases the output of a country, hence improving the economy. Individual people are essential as well because they come up with various innovations that make work easier. The government is necessary because it comes up with rules and regulations meant to promote safe and productive trade as well as defend its citizens from all types of threats. On the other hand, Catherine suggests that the most influential groups in society are both the inferiors and the superiors. For a community to be sustained, there must be those making the rules and those that obey the rules, just like in the relationship existing between a man and a woman, children, and parents together with teachers and employers. However, she fails to point out the most critical people in ensuring that there is economic growth in the country.
How is membership in each of these groups determined, and how does each group relate to the others?
In Smith’s opinion, every individual decides on which group he/she belongs to. Individuals,
manufacturers and the government relate to each other in society. The efforts put in by an individual are for their gains; however, they end up benefiting the whole society without noticing it. When they come up with an innovation, they help manufacturers save time and labor, in turn producing more goods. More production of products makes the government come up with ways of ensuring that a competitive business environment exists, prevent monopoly and defend the country against threats. When all the groups work together, the economic structure of the country changes. Catherine also suggests that an individual’s responsibility is to decide on which group he/she wants to belong in (inferior or superior). No one is being forced to become a subordinate or a superior unless they have chosen it for themselves. The superiors come up with laws that have to be followed by the aides to ensure continuity in society. However, she claims that women are seen to be more critical and be taught the domestic economy as they are responsible for efficiently running. Without knowledge and experience, it is difficult for them to run a family.
How does group membership matter to an individual?
Smith brings out the idea that group membership needs to matter to an individual. When manufacturers fail to produce enough goods and governments, fail to prevent monopoly, and control rates of taxes, the negative impact will be felt by the individuals as prices of products and rates of taxes will increase. Catherine also brings out the same idea that membership should matter to an individual. Society assumes that there are specific roles needed to be played by either a man/woman, and when people fail to go by the community, they are viewed differently.
How does the division of society into groups organize the larger society?
Small groups organize the liberal society as they help people act, interact, and organize themselves according to other individual’s perspectives in the small groups that they belong to. In so doing, the larger society becomes held since most people understand their grounds and act according to what society expects from them.