PROLEGOMENA TO A THEORETICAL MODEL OF INTERCOMMUNITY VARIATION

Abstract

Summary Prolegomena to a Theoretical Model of Intercommunity Variation The object of this paper is to develop a theoretical model of intercommunity variation, and especially of that part of intercommunity variation that has usually been termed ‘rural‐urban differences’. The paper links up with a recent discussion in this journal concerning the rural‐urban continuum. The unit of analysis of the model is the human community. Each human community is characterized by a specific physical system, a specific social structure, and a specific pattern of culture. The concept used to indicate the complex of differences between human communities is intercommunity variation. A great deal of this intercommunity variation is not persistent. The differences concerned disappear in the course of time. A basic hypothesis of the model, however, is that an important part of the sociologically relevant intercommunity variation is persistent. In the model, this part of intercommunity variation is called variation in the degree of urbanity of communities. A second basic hypothesis of the model is the three‐dimensionality of the phenomenon of urbanity. The three dimensions are the degrees of urbanity of the physical system, the social structure, and the pattern of culture of human communities. Accordingly, the process of urbanization is conceived to be a three‐dimensional phenomenon. The physical, social, and cultural urbanization of a community need not keep pace with each other. The paper concludes with an outline of the research procedures which are necessary for the confirmation of the basic hypothesis of the model.

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