Social structure - the internal structure of a society or a social group, consisting of properly arranged elements.
Criteria of viability of social systems:
1) the Relationship between elements of the system are supported by themselves, and none going from the outside. The system is Autonomous and does not depend on the will included in it individuals;
2) Relations with the environment are the criteria for its strength and vitality. The environment is hostile to the system, since making changes that can disrupt its functioning. The system saves the fact that she has the ability to spontaneous recovery and the establishment of an equilibrium state between themselves and the external environment. The system tends to inner balance, and its temporary violation of the random failures in the coordinated machine;
3) the System is able to reproduce itself without the conscious participation of the listed individuals;
4) the System is able to integrate the new social education. She subdues his logic and forced to work by their rules for the benefit of the whole emerging elements, new classes, social strata, institutions, ideology, etc.
Social institution - a set of statuses and roles, the necessary material, cultural, and other tools and resources aimed at fulfilling a socially important function.
Economic institutions: property, market, money, wages.
Functions: obtaining food, clothing, shelter.
Main roles: employer, employee, buyer, seller.
Physical elements: factory, office, shop.
Symbolic elements: money, trade, brand, advertising.