Ucsp - Final Term Week 1

Download as docx, pdf, or txt
Download as docx, pdf, or txt
You are on page 1of 8

Module 1 (Final Term)

Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics

Most Essential Learning Competencies


Explain the forms and functions of state and non-state institutions

Performance Standards
The learners:
1. analyze aspects of social organization
2. identify one’s role in social groups and institutions
3. recognize other forms of economic transaction such as sharing, gift exchange, and redistribution in his/her
own society

Content Standards
The learners demonstrate an understanding of:
1. cultural, social, and political institutions as sets of norms and patterns of behavior that relate to major social
interests
2. social stratification as the ranking of individuals according to wealth, power, and prestige
3. social and political inequalities as features of societies and the global community

Reference/s
Balena, E., Lucero, D., & Peralta, A. (2016). Understanding Culture, Society and Politics. Cubao, Quezon City:

Educational Resources Corporation.


Contreras et. al. (2018). Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics. Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing House.
Lanuza and Raymundo. (2016). Understanding Culture, Society, & Politics. Manila: Rex Book Store

DISCUSSION
.
ECONOMIC INSTITUTIONS
An economic institution provides the distribution of goods and services to the members of society. In
societies with a recognized economic system, five parts are essential for the economic system to function
accurately. These are production system, a service system, distribution system, consumers system and a system
of exchange.
The most important function of an economic institution is the production and distribution of goods and
services. However, the economic institution also causes some socialization that brings about a distribution of
power. It also influences the culture and affects social stratification.
Reciprocity (Cultural Anthropology)
In cultural anthropology, reciprocity refers to the non-market exchange of goods or labor ranging from
direct barter (immediate exchange) to forms of gift exchange whereas return is eventually expected (delayed
exchange) as in the exchange of birthday gifts. It is thus distinct from the true gift, where no return is expected.
Reciprocity is said to be the basis of most non-market exchange.
When the exchange is immediate, as in barter, it does not create a social relationship When the exchange
is delayed, it creates both a relationship as well as an obligation for a return (i.e., debt). Hence, some forms of
reciprocity can establish hierarchy if the debt is not repaid. The failure to make a return may end a relationship
between equals. Reciprocal exchanges can also have a political effect through the creation of multiple
obligations and the establishment of leadership, as in the gift exchanges (Moka) between Big Men in Melanesia.
Some forms of reciprocity are thus closely related to redistribution, where goods and services are collected by a
central figure for eventual distribution to followers.
Transfer
A change of ownership of an asset or a movement of funds and/or assets from one account to another is
called transfer. Transfer may involve an exchange of funds when it involves a change in ownership, such as
when an investor sells a real estate holding. In this case, there is a transfer of title from the seller to the buyer
and a simultaneous transfer of funds, equal to the negotiated price from the buyer to the seller.
The term transfer may also refer to the movement of an account from one bank or brokerage to another.
A transfer of funds from one account to another, where both accounts are held by the same individual, may
occur for purposes of financial planning or better investment returns. Examples of such transfers would be
funds transferred from a checking account to a savings account that offers higher rates of interest or from a
savings account to an IRA. Most banks enable such inter-account transfers to be conducted online.
Redistribution (Cultural Anthropology)
In cultural anthropology and sociology, redistribution refers to a system of economic exchange
involving the centralized collection of goods from members of a group followed by the distribution of those
goods among those members. It is a form of reciprocity.
In modern mixed market economies, the central form of redistribution is facilitated through taxation by
the state. Redistribution of property therefore occurs where properties are allocated back to individuals or
groups within society either through the provision of public services or directly through welfare benefits.
Market Transaction
The exchange of goods and services through a market is called market transaction. The set of market
transactions taking place in the economy is most important in terms of measuring gross domestic product
(GDP). Market transactions provide the basic data used by number crunchers at the National Economic
Development Authority to begin the estimation of GDP. However, these number crunchers don't just want to
measure market transactions, their goal is to measure economic production. As such, they eliminate some
market transactions that do not involve economic production, and then add economic production that do not
involve market transactions.
Market
An actual or nominal place where forces of demand and supply operate, and where buyers and sellers
interact (directly or through intermediaries) to trade goods, services, or contracts or instruments, for money or
barter is called a market. Markets include mechanisms or means for:
(1) communicating the price information.
(2) determining price of the traded item,
(3) facilitating deals and transactions, and
(4) effecting distribution.
The market for a particular item is made up of existing and potential customers who need it and have the
ability and willingness to pay for it.
A market is one of the many varieties of systems, institutions, procedures, social relations and
infrastructures whereby parties engage in exchange. While parties may exchange goods and services by barter,
most markets rely on sellers offering their goods or services (including labor) in exchange for money from
buyers. It can be said that a market is the process by which the prices of goods and services are established.
Markets facilitate trade and enable the distribution and allocation of resources in a society. Markets allow any
tradeable item to be evaluated and priced. A market emerges more or less spontaneously or may be constructed
deliberately by human interaction in order to enable the exchange of rights (cf. ownership) of services and
goods.
A market is a group of buyers and sellers, where buyers determine the demand and sellers determine the
supply, together with the means whereby they exchange their goods or services. Although many markets exist
in the traditional sense-such as a marketplace- there are various other types of markets and various
organizational structures to assist their functions, the nature of business transactions could be used to define
different markets.
STATE
State is an organized political community living under a single system of government. Often state and
government are used as synonyms. Both words refer to an organized political group that exercises authority
over a particular territory, States may or may not be sovereign. For example, federated states that are members
of a federal union have only partial sovereignty, but are, nonetheless, states. Some states are subject to external
sovereignty or hegemony where ultimate sovereignty lies in another state. The term "state" can also refer to the
secular branches of government within a state, often as a manner of contrasting them with churches and civilian
institutions.
Many human societies have been governed by states for millennia, but many have been stateless
societies. The first states arose about 5,500 years ago in conjunction with the rapid growth of urban centers, the
invention of writing, and the codification of new forms of religion. Over time a variety of different forms
developed, employing a variety of justifications for their existence (such as divine right, the theory of the social
contract, etc.). In the 21st century the modern nation-state is the predominant form of state to which people are
subject.
NON-STATE INSTITUTIONS
These are establishments which to not owned and controlled by the government. Some non-state
institutions are for profit und others are nonprofits and some are for personal investments and for financial help.
Banks and Corporations
Banks are places or institutions where people place or deposit their money or savings with
corresponding interest on a given period of time and, or assets for safekeeping.
Banks play an important role as an intermediary, or go-between, in the financial system. There are three
main functions of banks:
1. Banks are depository of savings. If there were no banks, people would have to store and protect their
savings themselves, which would involve major risks.
2. Banks are largely responsible for the payments system. Electronic payments are becoming more
important as people use less cash. This means that banks are processing more card payments, transfers, direct
debits, etc. every day.
3. Banks issue loans to both people and companies. Without banks, it would be very hard for people to
buy a house or start a business, or for companies to make investments.
Banks do a variety of other things, such as helping corporations with their, often more complex,
financial needs. This can range from the various ways to gain access to capital for growth and investments, to
assisting in mergers and acquisitions, to converting currencies.
Corporations
A corporation is a company or group of people authorized to act as a single entity (legally a person) and
recognized as such in law. Early incorporated entities were established by charter (i.e., by an ad hoc act granted
by a monarch or passed by a parliament or legislature). Most jurisdictions now allow the creation of new
corporations through registration. Corporation is a legal entity created under state law and is designed to
generate a profit. Corporations come in many different types but are usually divided by the law of the
jurisdiction where they are chartered into two kinds:
1. whether or not they can issue stock
2. whether or not they are for profit.
Where local law distinguishes corporations by ability to issue stock, corporation allowed to do so are
referred to as "stock corporations." Ownership of the corporation is through stock, and owners of stock are
referred to as "stockholders." Corporations not allowed to issue stock are referred to as "non-stock"
corporations. Considered the owners of the corporation are those who have obtained membership in the
corporation, and are referred to as a "members" of the corporation.
Corporations chartered in regions where they are distinguished by whether they are allowed to be for
profit or not are referred to as "for profit" and "not-for-profit" corporations, respectively.
There is some overlap between stock/non-stock and for profit/not-for-profit in that not-for-profit
corporations are always non-stock as well. Profit corporation is almost always a stock corporation, but some for
profit corporations may choose to be non-stock.
Registered corporations have legal personality and are owned by shareholders whose liability is limited
to their investment. Shareholders do not typically actively manage a corporation; shareholders instead elect or
appoint a board of directors to control the corporation in fiduciary capacity.
Cooperatives and Trade Unions
A cooperative is a legal entity owned and democratically controlled by its members. Members often
have a close association with the enterprise as producers or consumers of its products or services, or as its
employees.
Cooperatives often share their earnings with the membership as dividends, which are divided among the
members according to their participation in the enterprise, such as patronage, instead of according to the value
of their capital shareholdings.
Cooperatives play a critical role in building community wealth for several key reasons:
1. They often provide quality goods and services to areas that have been shunned by traditional
businesses because they are deemed less profitable markets.
2. They typically invest in local communities. For example, many rural cooperative utilities finance
community infrastructure projects, make equity investments in local businesses, make grants to neighborhood
nonprofits, and sponsor a range of community-focused events.
3. Since most cooperative members are local residents, business profits remain and circulate within the
community.
4. Cooperative membership builds social networks and strengthens social cohesion, which are essential
elements of strong, healthy communities, by connecting diverse community residents.
5. Purchasing cooperatives, in particular, help small, local businesses remain competitive within markets
dominated by large, national retailers.
6. Worker cooperatives, in particular, create quality, empowering jobs for community members (for
more details, please see our page on worker cooperatives).
7. Cooperatives are typically based on the cooperative values of "self-help, self-responsibility,
democracy and equality, equity and solidarity" and the seven cooperative principles:
(1) Voluntary and open membership
(2) Democratic member control
(3) Economic participation by members
(4) Autonomy and independence
(5) Education, training and information
(6) Cooperation among cooperatives
(7) Concern for community
Cooperatives are dedicated to the values of openness, social responsibility and caring for others. Such
legal entities have a range of social characteristics. Membership is open, meaning that anyone who satisfies
certain non-discriminatory conditions may join. Economic benefits are distributed proportionally to each
member's level of participation in the cooperative, for instance, by a dividend on sales or purchases, rather than
according to capital invested. Cooperatives may be classified as either worker, consumer, producer, purchasing
or housing cooperatives. They are distinguished from other forms of incorporation in that profit-making or
economic stability are balanced by the interests of the community.
Trade Unions
Trade Union is an organization whose membership consists of workers and union leaders, united to
protect and promote their common interests. A trade union may be:
1. A company union that represents interests of only one company and may not have any connection
with other unions. Also called house union, a company union is often a bogus one and is generally illegal.
2. A general union that represents workers from several companies in the same industry. This is also
called industrial union.
3. A craft union that represents skilled workers in a particular field such as carpentry or welding.
The principal purposes of a labor union are to:
1. negotiate wages and working condition terms,
2. regulate relations between workers (its members) and the employer,
3. take collective action to enforce the terms of collective bargaining,
4. raise new demands on behalf of its members, and
5. help settle their grievances.
The TUCP
The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), with 1.2 million members, is the biggest
confederation of labor federations in the Philippines. It was founded on December 14, 1975 by 23 labor
federations which saw the necessity and importance of uniting themselves into a strong and dynamic labor
center. Today, the TUCP, as the most representative labor center in the country, is composed of almost 30
federations with members in all sectors and industries (from agriculture to manufacturing to services) including
government employees. It also has members coming from associations/organizations of groups from the OFWs,
informal sector, drivers, urban poor, youth groups, cooperatives, alliances, coalitions and other civil society
groups.
Transnational Advocacy Groups
Transnational advocacy groups/networks are fluid and open relationships among knowledgeable,
committed actors (individuals and organizations). These relationships span nation-state boundaries. They differ
from other types of networks in that they exist to promote principled causes, ideas and values. They exist to
change international policy as well as make these changes real in the day-to-day lives of ordinary people.
Their goal is to give otherwise powerless constituencies: (the impoverished, women the politically
vulnerable, consumers, disorganized populations) a voice in domestic and international lawmaking. Their
primary tool is information-quickly produced, accurately formulated and effectively deployed.
Examples of the kinds of issues that motivate advocacy networks include:
1. Human rights,
2. Consumer rights,
3. Women's rights,
4. Environmental issues,
5. International peace.
There are, of course, other issues and causes. But what these groups share, and what makes them
influential, is their ability to develop connections and relationships with other like-minded groups across
borders and to use these relationships to change the course of national and international policy and action.
Importance of Transnational Advocacy Groups
The fact that advocacy groups are networks does not make them unique. Many other networks of
individuals and organizations exist and have a great deal of influence on international law and policy: bankers,
accountants, government agency officials, judges, attorneys-and the list go on.
What makes transnational advocacy networks so important is their advocacy. They campaign on behalf
of principled causes, sets of values and ideas, vulnerable constituencies or environments. Where international
dialogue and policy making might otherwise be open only to military or economic powers, advocacy groups
open this arena to the voices and concerns of groups outside the political arena. In other words, transnational
advocacy networks provide a voice for civil society in the otherwise closed field of international politics.
Transnational advocacy networks open a democratic space within an elite arena.
Who participates in transnational advocacy groups?
Who participates in transnational advocacy networks? There is no single list, but the major actors often
include:
1. National and international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs),
2. Local social movements,
3. Foundations,
4. The media,
5. Religious organizations, trade unions and consumer organizations,
6. Intellectuals and scholars,
7. Agencies within international and regional intergovernmental organizations,
8. Parts of executive or parliamentary branches of governments.
These varied actors form visible ties and mutually understood roles. They develop strategically linked
activities among themselves in order to forward a principled cause. They work on multiple fronts, using
different methods. They seek not merely to influence, but to change the very terms and values of international
policy and practice.
Development Agencies
A development agency is an organization committed/dedicated to distributing aid. Many professional
aid organisations exist, both within government (e.g., AusAID, USAID, DFID, EuropeAid, ECHO), between
governments as multilateral donors (e.g., UNDP) and as private voluntary organizations or non-governmental
organizations, (e.g., ActionAid, Ducere Foundation, Oxfam, World Vision). The International Committee of the
Red Cross is the world's oldest humanitarian organization and is unique in being mandated by international
treaty to uphold the Geneva Conventions.
Aid can be subdivided into two categories: humanitarian aid (emergency relief efforts, e.g., in response
to natural disasters), and development aid (or foreign aid), aimed at helping countries to achieve long-term
sustainable economic growth, with the aim of achieving poverty reduction
Development aid is a universal issue. Efforts may be constantly increasing at the national level, but
funds allocated to international and regional institutions are also clearly important.
International Organizations
An international organization is an organization with an international membership, scope, or presence.
There are two main types:
1. International Non-governmental Organizations (INGOs): non-governmental organizations
(NGOs) that operate internationally. These include international non-profit organizations and worldwide
companies such as the World Organization of the Scout Movement, International Committee of the Red Cross
and Médecins Sans Frontières.
2. Intergovernmental organizations, also known as International Governmental Organizations
(IGOS): the type of organization most closely associated with the term 'international organization', these are
organizations that are made up primarily of sovereign states (referred to as member states). Notable examples
include the United Nations (UN), Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD),
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Council of Europe (COE), and World Trade
Organization (WTO). The UN has used the term "intergovernmental organization" instead of "international
organization" for clarity.
The first and oldest intergovernmental organization is the Central Commission for Navigation on the
Rhine, created in 1815 by the Congress of Vienna.
The roles of international organizations are the following:
1. helping to set the international agenda,
2. mediating political bargaining,
3. providing place for political initiatives and acting as catalysts for coalition-formation.
International organizations also define the salient issues and decide which issues can be grouped
together. IGOs often work closely with other organizations, including NGOS (e.g., Greenpeace and Amnesty
International), which serve many of the same functions as their IGO counterparts and are particularly useful for
mobilizing public support, monitoring the effectiveness of international aid, and providing information and
expertise. Although many of the thousands of NGOs direct their activities toward less developed countries in
Africa and Asia, some of which have authoritarian forms of government, most of these groups are based in
developed states with pluralist political systems. Only a small fraction of NGOs are international in scope,
though they have played an increasingly important role in international relations.

POST-ASSESSMENT

A. COMPREHENSION
Directions: Identification. Read and understand the following. Identify what is being asked in each statement.
1. An actual or nominal place where forces of demand and supply operate, and where buyers and sellers interact
(directly or through intermediaries) to trade goods, services, or contracts or instruments, for money or barter.
2. An organization whose membership consists of workers and union leaders, united to protect and promote
their common interests.
3. Places or institutions where people place or deposit their money or savings with compounding interest on a
given period of time and, or assets for safekeeping.
4. These include international non-profit organizations and worldwide companies such as the World
Organization of the Scout Movement, International Committee of the Red Cross and Médecins Sans Frontières.
5. A change of ownership of an asset or a movement of funds and/or assets from one account to another.
6. An organized political community living under a single system of government.
Enumerate the following.
7-8. Who participates in transnational advocacy groups?
9-10 What are the two types of international organization?
B. ANALYSIS
Directions: Read and understand the following questions. Share your thoughts in not less than 10 sentences for
each question. Write your answer in the box below.
1. Does the economy really affect the development of one country? How? Explain.

2. Why is it need to understand the forms and functions of state and non-state institutions?

You might also like