Social order refers to the social systems and schemes of social relations that define the political, economic and social roles,rights and duties of people in a society. The conceptual framework of social order is presumably aimed at the individuals in the society, but this paper offers a revised or modified view of the dynamics of social order by examining the roles of institutions. The paper argued that social order in a country like Nigeria is better sustained by defining the relations and functions of the various tiers of administration. This view suggests that the effective social service delivery, as well as proper role definition or self-concept among the existing governance mechanism, should be prioritised in a way that ensures peace, order and stability across the national territory. The specific opportunities for national stability provided by local government administration can be more effective and systematic when we maximise an ethical disposition or conception. The argument of this paper is that there is that there is the ethical duty or responsibility of local governments as development and change agents. Such responsibility ensures the stability of the social order and is also promoted by the theory and practice of social order. The paper recommends that local governments in Nigeria need to re-focus and develop a manifestly social agenda that places the provision of public and social amenities at the doorstep of the masses of Nigerians; the common man both in the urban and rural areas.
Keywords: Social order, economic, political, rights, duties, society, local government, social delivery, administration.