"Each social formation, through each of its material activities, exerts its influence upon the civic whole; and each of its ideas and ideals wins also its place and power"

This quote by Patrick Geddes speaks with the interconnectedness of society and how each private part contributes to the bigger whole. Geddes is recommending that each social development, or group of individuals, has an influence on the civic whole, or the bigger society. This impact is not just through the product activities of the social formation, such as economic production, however also through the ideas and suitables that the group holds. These ideas and suitables can shape the civic whole, giving them a place and power in the bigger society. Geddes is stressing the significance of each private part of society and how it adds to the bigger whole. He is suggesting that each social formation has the potential to shape the civic whole, which it is essential to acknowledge the influence of each part.