Social relations (synonymous with social relations) are various interactions regulated by social norms between two or more people, each of whom has a social position and performs a social role. Sociologists consider social relations to be the highest form of social phenomena in comparison with behavior, action, social behavior, social action and social interaction.
It can be argued that social relations arise between people as part of a social group; between groups of people; between individuals and groups of people. Despite the fact that the term «social relations» is widely used, scientists have not yet come to a common conclusion about the concept of social relations. There are such definitions:
- Public relations (social relations) — the relationship of people to each other, developing in historically defined social forms, in specific conditions of place and time.
- Public relations (social relations) — relations between social subjects regarding their equality and social justice in the distribution of life’s benefits, conditions for the formation and development of the individual, satisfaction of material, social and spiritual needs.
There are several classifications of social relations. In particular, class relations, national relations, ethnic relations, group relations, personal social relations are distinguished. Social relations develop in all spheres of public life.