Competition as a social process found in every field of human life. Wherever there is interaction among different individuals and groups there is an element of competition. Competition may be called as a struggle between two or more individuals, who are striving to get something which is relatively limited. Whenever the desired goods and services are in abundance to satisfy the needs of each and every individual, the competition may not exist. For instance, under normal circumstances there is no competition for air, water, sunshine etc., which are the free gifts of nature and available in abundance. But under abnormal circumstances
When certain persons are in a desert or sea, there may be competition for getting scarce quantity of drinking water. Thus the underlying factor for competition is the scarcity of certain goods and services which are valued by groups and individuals. The competition refers to the pursuits of goals by individuals or groups the attainment of which depends upon other individuals or groups. The objects perused are limited and the demand exceeds supply of those objects. Competition is goal oriented. The primary concern is directed towards the objects rather than the persons who are competing. Competition is a continuous process until the goal is either achieved or lost. The competition could be direct and continuous, or indirect and unconscious. Competition is an indirect and impersonal process in which personal antagonism, awareness of the identity of the competitors and rivalry do not take place. Due to progress in technology and mechanization the competition among individuals and groups is a bare necessities, it is changing towards improving the respective status and prestige. This is true in those societies where economic system is efficient enough to supply much more than necessities of mere survival. The members of these societies try to compete for a higher social status. Competition is present in every sphere of life. Even the house-mates compete with one another. We find competition in. the fields of business, religion, civil service, military service, art, science, play and recreation etc. As long as there are limited resources and unlimited human wants, the process of competition will continue to exist in one way or the other.


           

RESTRICTIONS ON COMPETITION
  We should not take for granted that competition is a continuous and universal process. Human competition exists as it is defined by the prevailing culture and restricted by the social control. For instance, in Western culture it is proper that several persons anxious to marry a woman may compete, but in a society like Pakistan this type of competition is not encouraged. We find such type of social control (formal or informal) in the form of rules and regulations, mores and folkways, laws and taboos etc., for competition. Freedom of competition is a relative term; in fact it may not exist. For instance, in the United States of America, if a fair-competition is advocated that does not mean that everybody is treated fairly. For example, `Negroes' are not allowed (in some of the States) to compete for certain jobs reserved for the Whites. There is also discrimination in the fields of education, religion, recreation etc. in the U.S.A. In the same way, in Pakistan there is free competition, however, women are not allowed to compete for different jobs with the male population. At the same time, it would be true to say that real culture is something else, while the ideal culture in the field of economic competition is quite different. In economic field we advocate competition as the rule of the day, but it is defied (resist openly) in everyday human activities. There is no pure competition among the laborers, as they organize themselves into different organizations like "Labor Union" and decide not to accept wages below a certain level. In the same way, big industrialists achieve consensus of opinion through "gentle-men's agreement", i.e., not to lower the prices of products from a certain level. In the same way, healthy competition is also avoided through monopoly in economic activities. The culture may intensify the competition for certain goods which are having scarcity and prestige value. There are certain cultures in which competition is given importance. For example, American culture is based upon competition, while certain tribes of Red Indians do not encourage competition. FORMS OF  

COMPETITION
The following are different forms of competition in society;
i. Personal and Impersonal competition takes place in a society when the individuals or groups competing with one another also know one another and the competition is face to face. For instance, the election for the office-bearers among the college or university students is personal competition. As it is face to face and the competitors are conscious of the presence of one another. In the same way, two lovers to win the hand of a woman engage themselves in personal competition as they are conscious of each other in the race. The competition for the posts of Federal Public Service Commission is an example of impersonal competition. In the same way, students trying to top in B.A. examination of the Punjab University or Peshawar University are impersonal competitors, because they do not know one another. At the same title the competitors are not, in most of the cases, striving consciously to defeat their rivals.
ii. Relative and Absolute Competition. An absolute competition can be the competition in which only solitary competitor is ultimately declared successful among two or several competitors. For instance, there can be only President of' Pakistan from amongst two or more competitors. Some is the case of Mr. Universe, Mr. Pakistan or Mr. India. It means that the absolute result should be in favor of a solitary victor. The competition of Rustam-i-Pakistan is also an example of absolute competition, in which only one wrestler is declared as Rustam or Champion of Pakistan and all other competitors have to fight to compete or accept defeat.
Relative competition, on the other hand, is different from absolute competition. For instance, everybody is trying to get wealthy or rich, but one is not supposed to collect the wealth of the whole country or world. There are so many rich people and still the competition. For the richness is rampant. This form of competition is known as relative competition.
iii. Formal or Informal Competition and intra/Inter Group Competition. These terms are self-explanatory. Formal' or informal, intra or inter-group competitions exist both in rural and urban areas of Pakistan. Their intensity and nature vary in both the sections of population.

COMPETITION—IT’S FUNCTION AND RESULTS
1. Competition is a social process. It affects social structure and the pattern of culture. The establishment of industries, special distribution of different groups and individuals are the outcome of competitive forces.
2. Invention and efficiency in every field of social interaction has resulted from competition. There are cases when the people even lose efficiencies, but the progress in material and non-material cultures has been enhanced due to competition.
3. Through democratic spirit of competition certain individuals and groups are restricted to become dominant and monopolist. Its aim is to provide chances to compete in social, political and economic life. It is an admitted fact that in the absence of competition groups and individuals belonging to upper social classes will have privileges in socio-economic activities over other classes and individuals.
To conclude, it would not be out of place to mention that in most of the cases healthy personal competition ultimately leads to conflicts, which indirectly raptures all the cordial and healthy competitive relations. However, it is up to the competitors to observe the rules and regulations of the competition. If these rules and regulation as are not strictly observed it can cause the disassociate form of interaction among the individuals, groups, or societies. Healthy competition in a community is a sign of progress, prosperity and advancement for the individuals and groups.