Structural Change In Consumption And Savings: The Poor Law, Friendly Societies, Savings Banks, And Co-Operative Societies

Introduction. In one important sense, structural differentiation maintains long-term stability in society. One social unit becomes relatively obsolete under some sort of situational pressure. After a period of disturbances, handling and channelling, and specification, the social unit differentiates, or progresses to a new equilibrium level more in keeping with its new social environment. In the process a number of more differentiated social units replace older, more diffuse ones.