Talk:Gabriel Tarde

Unification Aspects:

Gabriel Tarde believed that three distinctive, yet interrelated processes characterize human society, especially its development—"Invention," "Imitation," and "Opposition." These depended on individual characteristics. For example, invention requires a gifted individual in a supportive social context. Applying his ideas to criminology, Tarde argued that criminals are not just born, but are also bred—the social environment is crucial both in the development of criminal behavior and its control.

Unification Thought explains that human society has developed based on the appearance of strong leaders who then lead the masses according to the Law of Dominion by the Center:

The leaders are the subject, and the masses, the object; based on their religious or political ideologies, the leaders guide the masses, or society, in a certain direction.[1]

Tarde recognized the importance of the attributes of individuals in the development of society, rather than the social environment as the determining factor. He did not see the individual as alone, however, but regarded social interaction as key to human life and prosperity. He foresaw the role of the mass media allowing faster and more complete communication within a society. Indeed, Unification Thought notes the role of the social environment, explaining that Divine Providence requires not only a leader but also a supportive social environment. Thus, leaders cannot be successful unless they have the support of sufficient numbers of people within a society.

Unification Aspects is designed to relate the subject of this article to Unification Thought and to aid
teachers and researchers who wish to further pursue these topics from a unification perspective.