What is the purpose of society, and what ought it be?

[Chippiewill]

This is a bit of a far out question so I'll explain it a little.

The first part of the questions asks what you believe the purpose of society is now, what it achieves, what it encourages, what it discourages and how members of society are affected by it. The second part of the question will to many of you either be the same question or even a non-question. But for the rest this asks what you believe society should be, what it should encourage, discourage and how it would affect members of society.

Bit of a vague explanation but I'm trying to avoid loading the question.

[Inseriousity.]

The focus of society at the moment is economical. Everything has a monetary value. If it's impossible to put a price on something, it's regarded as unimportant and worthless. The effect is a society obsessed with the latest trends and the little things that don't matter. Personally, I think we need to focus more on democracy (as a wider general thing rather than just the political voting). Build an active citizenship where people strive to make change rather than be fearful of it. The phrase 'status quo' (or politically, 'safe seat') should not exist.