What is meant by social control?
In order to preserve social harmony in a community, there are some do’s and dont’s that are insisted and breach whereof invites punitive action.. For instance, if someone steals, the village council summons the thief and awards punishment (in modern society we have the laws and a system of policing to enfoce the law).. In ancient times, social taboos – like drinking in holy areas like temples, cruelty to a neighbour or even family member, adultery etc – would be rigorously enforced and the violators punished severely – like whipping, excommunication (villagers banned to keep any contact with the criminal and even shops will refuse articles to him) etc. When the gravity of a crime was far reaching like violating the country’s laws, the matter was taken to the notice of the royal court, by the village head, for disposal. Even now some remote villages have Nyaaya Panchayat (village judiciary) that disposes of petty crimes. But social control is mainly accomplished by the State Police only
