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Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics

MANGALDAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Mangaldan, Pangasinan
S.Y. 2020 – 2021
Senior High School Department
Humanities and Social Sciences
UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND POLITICS

Quarter 1 – Week 4
Lecture No. 6

MELC: Analyze the significance of cultural, social, political and economic symbol and practices.
Objectives:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the human origins and the capacity for culture.
2. Know the role of culture in human adaptation.
3. Demonstrate the processes of cultural and sociopolitical evolution
THE HUMAN ORIGIN AND THE CAPACITY FOR CULTURE

Pre-Test: Anticipation Reaction Guide

Directions:
1. Before the Week 4 lecture. Place a checkmark (√ ) on the Before the Week 4 Lecture column
if you agree with the statement and a cross mark (X) if you do not agree.
2. Go back to this activity after you have read the lecture under this week. Place a checkmark (
√ ) on the After the Week 4 lecture column if you agree with the statement and a cross mark
(X) if you do not agree.

Before Week 4 Statements After Week 4

Lecture Lecture
1. Biological evolution is based on the theory of evolution that was
introduced by Charles Darwin after conducting numerous studies
regarding the changes that occur among plants, fossil animals, and
different breeds of pigeons.

2. Cultural evolution led to the transformation of different societies and

political systems.

3. Pastoral societies relied on herding and the domestication of animals

for food and clothing to satisfy the greater needs of the group.

4. Political systems of civilizations have a highly centralized and well

organized form of government.

5. During the Paleolithic age stone tools were shaped by polishing or

grinding

6. Implementation of large-scale public works and infrastructure like

defense walls, monuments, temples, mausoleums, government edifices,
trading centers and markets are amongst the characteristics of

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civilization.

7. Human social drives of prehistoric men developed after he developed

intellectually.

Culture is defined in many ways, for Tylor (2010), it is a complex whole which encompasses beliefs,
practices, values, attitudes, laws, norms, artifacts, symbols, knowledge and everything that a person
learns and shares as a member of a society. It is a by- product of the attempt of humans to survive
their environment and to compensate for their biological characteristics and limitations. Culture was
also defined by Allan G. Johnson as the sum of symbols, ideas, forms of expressions and material
products associated with a social system.

Charles Darwin’s view of evolution.

Darwin hypothesized that the evolution of species happens through the process of natural selection.
Natural selection, according to him, was the reason for the occurrence of evolution. According to
Darwin, the environment favor certain organisms and those organisms that survive can pass on their
traits. (Contreras, Dela Cruz, Erasga, Fadrigon, 2016, p. 81)

Natural selection has three important principles:

1. Variation. Every species is made up of a variety of individuals wherein some are better
adapted to their environments compared to others.
2. Heritability. Organisms produce progeny with different sets of traits that can be inherited.
3. Differential reproductive success. Organisms that have traits most suitable to their
environment will survive and transfer these variations to their offspring in subsequent
generation. (Contreras, Dela Cruz, Erasga, Fadrigon, 2016, p. 81)

Pre-Human Stage of Evolution

Evolution of man became an important concern in the emergence of different societies. Human
social drives developed long before he developed intellectually. Instinct such as mother-love,
compassion, cooperation, curiosity, inventiveness and competitiveness are ancient and embedded in
the human.

Meaning to say, before we reached the intellectual capacity that we have now (that includes how we
feel, how we think, and how we react to physical and social phenomena), we were all but animalistic
and instinct-based. Back then, the hominids did not think about the morality of their actions. For
example, in a competition for food sources, two hominids will have to fight to the death just to claim
the entire food source. There will be no mediation or rights to equal distribution among them,
because they are still inept to morality that we have now: their only value is just to survive at all
costs.

Cultural Evolution

The evidences of a change in economic aspect have resulted in the transformation of man’s way of
life. Early societies started to emerge as a result of man’s interaction with his environment. Every
society is organized in such a way that there will be rules of conduct, customs, traditions, folkways
and mores, and expectations that ensure appropriate behavior among members (Palispis, 2007 p.
254). This organizational component provides the basis of identifying what is acceptable or not
within the social order. Sociologically and anthropologically, society possesses different

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characteristics that show the interdependence of people with one another. (Source: Baleña, Ederlina
B. et.al (2016). Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics for Senior High School. Quezon City.
Educational Resources Corporation)

For example, back then, leaders were chosen through a death match of two eligible men of powerful
families; the one who stays alive will be chosen, until he dies. His first-born son will inherit the
throne, unless he is challenged. The leader, and soon his family, shall be offered food and clothing by
his constituents all his life. In exchange, he defends their territory, makes rules, and settles disputes
amongst his people. The rules that the leader enacts shall be followed through and through, on pain
of punishment or death. Those rules will be passed down until it becomes a norm, then culture.

Cultural evolution includes the social and political evolution of modern man. It also refers to the
changes or development in cultures from a simple form to a more complex form of human culture.

Cultural evolution happens as a result of human adaptation to different factors like climatic changes
and population increase. It can be observed and identified by analysis of the changes in the latter’s
way of life reflected in the different tools and other human-made objects that they used.

Cultural Period Time Frame Cultural Development

Paleolithic Age Traditionally  Use of simple pebble tools (unpolished stone
(Old Stone Age) coincided with the tools)
first evidence of tool  Learned to live in caves
construction and  Discovered the use of fire
use by homo some  Developed small sculptures; and monumental
2.5 million years ago painting, incised designs, and reliefs on the wall
of caves.
 Food-collecting cultures (hunting and gathering,
nomadic way of living)
Neolithic Age Occurred  Stone tools were shaped by polishing or grinding
(New Stone Age) sometimes about (polished stone tools)
10, BCE  Settlement in permanent villages
 Dependence on domesticated plants or animals
 Appearance of such crafts as pottery and weaving
 Food-producing cultures
Source: http;//www.britanicca.com

Sociopolitical Evolution

The development of culture through time, called as cultural evolution, led to the transformation of
different societies and political systems, a process called socio-political evolution. This happens
when societies develop new forms of economic subsistence, acquire knowledge, and apply new
technology.

This mechanizes in our society through this: nature- in its own essence, gives raw materials and
produce that needs processing; which will be done by the market. The market then facilitates buying
and selling of these processed goods. The government apply taxes to sellers to gain revenue for
public funds, which will be used to build infrastructure, make innovations in public servicing, and
mechanize social movement that require the knowledge and skills of professionals like engineers,
technicians, teachers, lawyers, and employees.

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The timeline below shows how hunting and gathering societies developed step-by-step to become
agricultural, industrial, and then post-industrial societies. It examines how cultural evolution affected
the development of each stage of society.

Types of Human Characteristics

Societies
Hunting and  The earliest form of human society.
Food Gathering  People survived by foraging for vegetable foods and small game, fishing, hunting
Societies larger wild animals, and collecting shellfish.
 They subsisted from day to day on whatever was available.
 They used tools made of stones, woods, and bones.
Horticultural  People learned to use human muscle power and hand held tools to cultivate
Societies fields.
 Classified as subsistence faming and surplus farming.
Subsistence Farming:
1. Involves only producing enough food to feed the group.
2. The settlements are small.
3. Neighborhood is solid.
4. Political organization is confined in the village.
5. Authority is based on positions inherited by males through the kinship system.
Surplus Farming:
1. Practiced in thickly populated and permanent settlements.
2. There were occupational specialization with prestige differences.
3. Social stratification was well established.
4. The community tended to be structured by kinship relations that are male
dominated
Pastoral  It relied on herding and the domestication of animals for food and clothing to
Societies satisfy the greater needs of the group.
 Most pastoralists were nomads who followed their herds in a never-ending quest
for pasture and water.
 It was organized along male-centered kinship groups.
 It was usually united under strong political figures. However, centralized political
leadership did not occur.
Agricultural  These societies were characterized by used of the plow in farming.
Societies  Creation of the irrigation system provided farming enough surplus for the
community.
 Ever-growing populations came together in broad river-valley system.
 Those who controlled access to arable land and its use became rich and powerful
since they could demand the payment of taxes and political support.
 By taxing the bulk of agriculture surplus, the political leaders could make
bureaucracies implement their plans and armies to protect their privileges.
 Social classes became entrenched, and state evolved.
Industrial  It is characterized by more than just the use of mechanical means of production.
Societies  It constitutes an entirely new form of society that requires an immense, mobile
diversity specialized, high skilled, and well-coordinated labor force.
 Creates highly organized systems of exchange between suppliers of raw
materials and industrial manufacturers.
 Industrial societies are divided along class lines.
 Industrialism brought about a tremendous shift of populations.
 Kinship plays a smaller role in patterning public affairs.

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 Industrial societies are highly secularized.

 The predominant form of social and political organization in industrial societies is
the bureaucracy.
Post-industrial  It depends on specialized knowledge to bring about continuing progress in
Societies technology.
 It is characterized by the spread of computer industries.
 Knowledge and information are the hallmarks of this society.
 It resulted in the homogenization of social relations among individuals and the
interaction between humans and the natural environment.

Characteristics of Human Society

1. It is a social system; if follows rules, has structure and organization, and mechanizations to
function.
 Example: In our country, the executive branch (headed by the President and the Cabinet,
up to the governors, mayors, and barangay captains) carries out the law, the legislative
branch (headed by the Senators and Congressmen, down to the municipal and barangay
councilors) makes, alters, and improves laws, and the judicial branch (from the Chief
Justice down to the trial court judges) interpret and evaluate the use of the laws in
disputes.

2. A society is relatively large; it is composed of a vast set of individuals with different

knowledge and skillsets, abilities, and interests.
 Example: While a society is defined to have the same interests, ideals, and culture, a
society cannot be formed without its sub-societies, which exists due to different
interests, ideals, and cultures within the society that makes it relatively large.

3. A society recruits most of its members from within; it is self-sufficient and self-dependent.
 Example: During a pandemic, our society asks for the help of its member who are
medical professionals and practitioners. To teach and guide the society, it requires the
aid of its members focusing on education and educational development. To ensure
peace and order, the government is formed with leaders chosen within the society.

4. A society sustains itself across generations.

 Example: Nature gives raw materials and produce that needs processing; which will be
done by the market. The market then facilitates buying and selling of these processed
goods. The government apply taxes to sellers to gain revenue for public funds, which will
be used to build infrastructure, make innovations in public servicing, and mechanize
social movement that require the knowledge and skills of professionals like engineers,
technicians, teachers, lawyers, and employees.

5. A society’s members share a culture.

 Example: Filipinos speak Filipino, and we share practices like the concept of Bayanihan,
pagmamano, and saying po/opo to elders, to name a few.

6. A society occupies a territory.

 Example: The Filipino people occupy the Philippine archipelago.

Political Evolution and the Development of Early Civilization

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The development of the early civilizations showed the political evolution of society. A civilization
develops because of a society’s highly advanced level of culture, social organization, political
developments, judicial system, arts, and other forms of culture at a particular time.

Four major civilizations in the world

1. Sumerian civilization – develops along the Tigris and Euphrates River in West Asia
2. Indus Valley civilization - started along the Indus River valley in India
3. Shang civilization of China – developed near the Huang Ho/Huang He River
4. Egyptian civilization – started along the Nile River

These civilizations flourished along the rich river plains or river valleys. The river valley civilizations
are considered the cradles of civilization because it was in these river valley systems that the
aforementioned civilizations developed and flourished.

Important characteristics of the four major civilizations

1. Developed and highly advance cities
2. Well-defined city centers
3. Complex and systematic institutions
4. Organized and centralized system of government
5. Formalized and complex form of religion
6. Job specialization
7. Development of social classes
8. Implementation of large-scale public works and infrastructure like defense walls,
monuments, temples, mausoleums, government edifices, trading centers and markets.
9. Sophisticated ad detailed forms of arts and architecture
10. Advance technology
11. System of writing and recording
Political systems of civilizations have a highly centralized and well organized form of government
whose leaders are powerful enough to order the building of massive infrastructure and implement
new policies for citizens. The political system of the early civilizations had a clear hierarchy of
officials with specific functions and responsibilities. They also had codified laws and rules that were
obeyed and followed by the people. The early civilizations also developed an organized, stable, and
effective government to ensure the safety of the people and supervise the production and
distribution of food supply.

Political leaders of early civilizations were also tasked to

1. Craft laws
2. Implement laws
3. Impose justice and punishment
4. Collect taxes
5. Sometimes act as religious leaders as well

References:
Books:
Contreras, Antonio P., Dela Cruz, Arleigh Ross D., Erasga, Dennis S., Fadrigon, Cecille C., Mactal, Ronaldo B. Understanding
Culture, Society, & Politics (The Padayon Series). Phoenix Publishing House, Quezon City, Philippines. 2016.
Balena, Ederlina D., Lucero, Dolores M., Peralta, Arnel M. Understanding Culture, Society, & Politics. Educational Resiurces
Corporation, Quezon City. 2016.

Internet:
Google.com for various pictures

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Prepared by:
Manuel G. Jimenez
SHS Teacher II – HumSS

MANGALDAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Mangaldan, Pangasinan
S.Y. 2020 – 2021
Senior High School Department
Humanities and Social Sciences
UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND POLITICS

Name: ___________________________________ Section: _____________________

Name of Teacher: Date of Submission: ___________
Worksheet No. 4 Score: _________ HPS: __

Part I: DATA RETRIEVAL CHART COMPLETION

Directions: Fill up the chart below to determine your prior knowledge of the different stages of
society. Limit your answers on gender role, form/type of government, and economic subsistence.
Give short explanation.

Stages Characteristics
Hunting and Gathering

Horticultural

Pastoral

Agricultural

Industrial

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Post-Industrial

Name: ___________________________________ Section: _____________________

Name of Teacher: Date of Submission: ___________
Score: _________ HPS: __

Part II: MAN’S CULTURAL EVOLUTION

Directions: Fill-up the table with correct information. Instead of words or phrases use an art to
illustrate your thoughts.

Cultural Period Cultural Development

Paleolithic Age

Neolithic Age

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