Final answer:
The statement is true; territorial communities are based on geography while relational communities are based on social ties like kinship and shared interests. Both types are important for social solidarity and can overlap, such as in the case of Texas, which is both a geographic and functional community.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that a definition of both territorial and relational communities is that people are bound either by geography or by webs of communication, sharing common ties, and interacting with one another, is true. Territorial communities are those bound by geographic space or a specific location. Examples include neighborhoods like Brooklyn, states like Texas, or countries like Ethiopia. On the other hand, relational communities are bound by social ties such as kinship, shared interests, and common values, often cultivated through communication and shared experiences. These can include virtual communities, professional networks, and groups identified by shared aspects of identity or interest.
Communities, whether territorial or relational, require a sense of social solidarity or the ties that keep a group of people connected, which may hi nge on factors like location, religion, or a mutual agenda. For instance, the State of Texas exemplifies both a territorial community, due to its geographic borders and shared political authority, and a functional region, being that its residents contribute to a shared economy and governance.
As a sociologist would define it, society consists of a group of people who reside in a defined area and share a culture, and are characterized by interaction. Communities within these societies can thrive when their members invest in them through family relationships, local businesses, cultural events, and other shared resources, leading to robust and supportive networks. However, at a national level, communities might be considered imagined, as described by Benedict Anderson, implying a sense of unity constructed through larger systemic forces rather than direct personal connections.