Fragmentation in urban sociology refers to the lack or underdevelopment of ties between a society and the grouping of some of its members. These ties may be based on culture, nationality, race, language, occupation, religion, financial level, or other shared interests. The term is used in contrast to a more integrated society where these connections exist. In modern society, fragmentation has become a common phenomenon due to industrialization, social mobility, urbanization, migration, and nationalism. It affects all areas of life including work, education, family, community, politics, and religion. The most obvious example is the United States where an integrated country union was transformed into a fragmented one through the actions of immigrants, slaves, and Indians. The concept of fragmentation can also be used in a positive sense to describe a complex society with many differences and divisions. This type of society provides the opportunity for individuals to develop their own identity separate from that of the group. Some authors have argued that a fragmented society is less stable and reliable than an integrated one, but this depends on how the words "less" and "integrated" are defined. A highly fragmented society may be more unstable as there are more groups competing with each other for power and resources. However, an integrated society may not be any more stable since there are still differences between these groups.