To Understand the Most Important Characteristics of a Society, One Must Study Its Major Cities

To understand the most important characteristics of a society, one must study its major cities.

This statement argues for the importance of studying major cities when trying to understand important characteristics of a society. Thereby, it is disparaging the importance of less major cities, towns, or village in a society.

Major cities certainly offer the most visible characteristics of a society, modern or historical, real or fantastic. Major cities are usually the political, financial and social capitals of a society. When we are trying to obtain a surficial understanding of a society, we are bombarded with what is happening on the fast-paced, ever-changing political, financial, technological or social spheres, all of which are situated in major cities. However, to gain a deeper understanding of a society or rather, the relatively permanent aspects of a society, we must also investigate into minor cities, towns, villages.

The political, financial or social aspects of a society are certainly important. However, one must not negate the equally, if not more, indispensible facets of a society, namely a society’s history, traditions, and culture. Because smaller communities are not as connected or updated as major hubs, they don’t integrate and assimilate with other societies as much. Namely, they don’t globalize at as fast of a rate as major cities. Therefore, one is more likely to discover the unique history, traditions or culture of a society if one investigates into smaller communities. For example, Shanghai is a major city in China, and one of the biggest cities in the world. While one would have no problem absorb the technological or the financial boom happening there, one would have a very difficult time trying to find something that’s uniquely Shanghaiese or Chinese. There’s not one billboard without English characters or one major street without a McDonald restaurant or a Starbucks. A plaza with a national monument is making its exit for a grandiose Apple store. By contract, just an hour drive out of Shanghai, one would arrive in a small town that is known for its authentic cuisine, architecture, and people who still speak the Shanghai dialect.

While some aspects of a society are best exhibited in major cities; towns or villages, big or small must all have similar systems, whether political, judiciary, or social. Regardless where citizens live, as long as they are in the same society, they must receive similar benefits or face similar hardship. However, because villages or towns are smaller and less populated, these systems are scaled down proportionately, thereby making them easier to understand or study.

All major cities originate from small villages. Though most of the original village may be renovated and rebuilt. Some smaller cities may have even been major hubs of a society. People migrate away, what they leave behind may reveal a surprising amount about a society. Philadelphia, for example, was where the constitution was written, where George Washington became the first president, and where the United States as we know it was born. It is neither the capital nor even a major city of the society (the United States) now; it is certainly a worthwhile place to visit when learning about the history and the heritage of the society.

While major cities offer many insights into the characteristics of a society, one must invest equal if not more time in studying smaller communities in order to gain a more complete understanding. Smaller communities feature aspects of a society, such as its history, heritage, and culture that is neither adulterated nor diluted.