Introduction: Social structure is created from the inter-relationship and organization of human beings, who are organized for pursuing certain common objectives and aims. To fulfil the aim, social structure must be based upon certain principles. They are as follows:

1. Normative system: Normative system renders the society with ideals and values. The institutions and associations are inter-related according to these norms. The individuals perform their roles in accordance with the accepted norms of society. For instance, old age homes are still not as widespread in our society as it is in America. The difference lies in the normative structure, which inculcates different values. In India's value system, sending a senior citizen to an old age home is not quite a welcome concept compared to American society.

2. Position system: Position system refers to statuses and roles of the individuals. The desires and aspirations of the individual are varied. Proper functioning of social structure depends upon proper assignment of roles and statuses. For example, when you hear the word status you are likely to think of prestige. In sociology, status refers to the position that an individual occupies.

3. Sanction system: For the proper enforcement of norms, every society has a sanction system. It may also be understood from the perspective of rewards and punishment or penalties a society prescribes. The coordination of different parts of the social structure depends upon the conformity to social norms. Non-conformists are generally punished. But non-conformity is also an essential feature of society, otherwise there would be no change. This is the striking contradiction of social process. The stability of social structure depends upon the effectiveness of the sanction system, which tells a great deal about the social and political environment of the country.

4. A system of anticipated response: Everyday we hear the words like "work ethics", or see the play cards, which read "city is yours, keep it clean". All are supposed to be the functions of a system of anticipated responses. The anticipated response system calls upon the individuals to participate in the social system. It points to the fact that individuals must realize their duties and should make efforts to fulfil them. Depending on this, a social structure can work successfully.