The Boundaries Of Social Groups

Groups can be defined as people doing the same thing, liking the same subjects, sharing the same opinions, aiming at the same goals. More technically, groups have common interests, share real experience, express similar way of thinking and reacting.

In a further dimension, one can look at social groups as connected networks of people. They actively exchange information and Weltanschauungen. In the presence of new events, they consult each other on the interpretation to give to them and to decide what to do.

Solidarity networks link families, relatives, friends, neighbours up to co-citizens and people even if not previously known.

The geographical boundaries of social groups are a distinct aspect to analyse, since they are partially influenced by similarities across nations as well as by the hierarchical structure of international relationships.