24-25 UCSP Lecture Notes on State and Non-State Institutions PDF

TOPIC 7 – STATE AND NON- STATE INSTITUTIONS WHAT ARE STATE INSTITUTIONS? A state institution refers to an organization or entity that is established and operated by the government of a country. State institutions are typically responsible for carryi...

TOPIC 7 – STATE AND NON- STATE INSTITUTIONS WHAT ARE STATE INSTITUTIONS? A state institution refers to an organization or entity that is established and operated by the government of a country. State institutions are typically responsible for carrying out various functions and providing services that are crucial for the functioning and governance of a society. State institutions can take various forms, such as government departments, agencies, regulatory bodies, public schools, public hospitals, law enforcement agencies, and military organizations. These institutions are funded by the state through tax revenue or other sources of government income. The primary purpose of state institutions is to serve the public interest by implementing policies, laws, and regulations, and by providing essential services and infrastructure. They often have the authority to enforce laws, regulate specific sectors, administer public programs, and maintain public order and security. EXAMPLES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS Government The government refers to the system of governance and the institutions that exercise political authority, administer public affairs, and provide public services in the country. The government of the Philippines operates under a democratic framework as outlined in its Constitution. The Philippines is a democratic republic with a presidential system, where the President serves as both the head of state and government. The country has a multi-party system, but the two main political parties are the Liberal Party and the Nationalist People's Coalition. The Philippine Congress is bicameral, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and it plays a crucial role in legislation and checks and balances within the government. The Philippines is a republic with a presidential form of government wherein power is equally divided among its branches: Executive Branch: This branch is headed by the President and includes the Cabinet, which consists of various department secretaries and heads of executive agencies. The executive branch is responsible for implementing laws, formulating policies, and managing the day-to-day administration of the country. Understanding culture, society, and politics lecture notes | Page 1 of 5  Legislative Branch: The legislative branch is composed of the Congress of the Philippines, which consists of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Congress is responsible for enacting laws, passing budgets, and exercising oversight over the executive branch Judicial Branch: The judicial branch is independent of the executive and legislative branches. It is responsible for interpreting laws, resolving disputes, and ensuring the fair and impartial administration of justice. The highest court in the country is the Supreme Court, which is composed of justices appointed by the President. WHAT ARE NONSTATE INSTITUTIONS? Also known as nonstate actors, are broadly defined as actors who are largely or completely autonomous from the state, emanating from civil society, market economy, or political opportunities EXAMPLES OF NONSTATE INSTITUTIONS 1. BANKS financial institutions licensed to receive deposits and make loans. May also provide financial services such as wealth management, currency exchange, and safe deposit boxes. There are different types of banks There are two types of banks: commercial banks and investment banks. In most countries, banks are regulated by a central bank. Commercial banks are typically concerned with managing withdrawals and receiving deposits as well as supplying short-term loans to individuals and small businesses. Consumers primarily use these banks for basic checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), and home mortgages. Investment banks focus on providing corporate clients with services such as financial intermediation, underwriting, and assisting with mergers and acquisitions. Understanding culture, society, and politics lecture notes | Page 2 of 5 Central banks are chiefly responsible for currency stability, controlling inflation and monetary policy, and overseeing money supply. In the Philippines the main purpose of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is to maintain price stability conducive to a balanced and sustainable growth of the economy. It regulates and supervises financial institutions to ensure the stability and efficiency of the financial system. Additionally, the BSP manages the country's foreign reserves to ensure the stability of the Philippine peso and overall economic health. 2. CORPORATIONS A corporation is a legal entity that is separate and distinct from its owners. Corporations enjoy most of the rights and responsibilities that individuals possess they can enter contracts, loan and borrow money, sue and be sued, hire employees, own assets and pay taxes. Some refer to it as a "legal person. "All corporations are companies but not all companies are corporations. FORBES 2022 GLOBAL 2000 LIST (5 companies from the Philippines are part of the list) The following Philippine companies are part of the Forbes 2022 Global 2000: SM Investments BDO Unibank Top Frontier Investment Holdings Ayala Corporation Metropolitan Bank and Trust 3. COOPERATIVES is a duly registered association of persons with a common bond of interest, who have voluntarily joined together to achieve a lawful common social or economic end. There are many types of cooperatives: credit, consumer, producer, marketing, multi- purpose, etc. 4. LABOR UNIONS - also called TRADE UNIONS, is an organization that represents the collective interests of workers. The labor union helps workers unite to negotiate with employers over wages, hours, benefits, and other working conditions. Labor unions are often industry-specific and tend to be more common in manufacturing, mining, construction, transportation, and the public sector. Labor unions have been instrumental in securing many of the labor rights that workers enjoy today, such as the eight-hour workday, minimum wage laws, and child labor restrictions. Their efforts have led to significant improvements in working conditions over the decades. 5. ADVOCACY GROUPS - is an organization whose members share a common political, economic, or social interest and try to advance those interests through the political process. It should be noted that while advocacy groups can be very influential, their influence is informal because they do not hold government power. Understanding culture, society, and politics lecture notes | Page 3 of 5 6. TRANSNATIONAL ADVOCACY GROUPS are advocacy groups which have a presence throughout the world. TAGs work on issues that transcend national boundaries, such as human rights, environmental protection, and social justice. They mobilize support and coordinate actions across multiple countries to influence global policies and practices. TAGs engage in various advocacy activities, including lobbying international organizations, conducting awareness campaigns, and organizing protests and demonstrations. They aim to influence policymakers, raise public awareness, and generate support for their causes. Examples of transnational advocacy groups are as follows: Amnesty International, Greenpeace Philippines, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), World Vision, Oxfam, etc. 7. DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES - organizations dedicated to distributing aid. Aids from these agencies can be classified into two: humanitarian (emergency relief efforts, etc.) and development aid (foreign aid). Development agencies aim to reduce poverty, promote sustainable development, and enhance economic growth. Their goals often include improving healthcare, education, infrastructure, and governance in recipient countries. The most popular development aid agencies in the Philippines are the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Australian Aid, and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). 8. INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS - refer to an entity created by treaty, involving two or more nations, to work in good faith, on issues of common interest. In the absence of a treaty an IGO does not exist in the legal sense. IGOs are established to facilitate cooperation among member states on various issues such as security, trade, health, and environmental protection. They provide a platform for dialogue, coordinate joint actions, and develop policies and agreements. Here are some IGO’s exist: UNITED NATIONS The largest and most familiar intergovernmental organization. In 1945, at the end of World War II, governments wanted to avoid future wars. They formed the UN. ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN) was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration. A regional intergovernmental organization located in Southeast Asia Aims to integrate the different communities of all its member states EUROPEAN UNION (EU) A group of 27 countries in Europe that operates as a cohesive economic and political block. It operates through a system of supranational institutions, including the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council of the European Union, which work together to create and enforce policies and regulations. The EU's goals include promoting economic cooperation, maintaining regional stability, and advancing common policies on issues such as trade, security, and environmental protection. Understanding culture, society, and politics lecture notes | Page 4 of 5  Nineteen of the countries use the euro as their official currency (Eurozone) SOURCES Atienza, M.E., Lusterio-Rico, R. et. al (2016) Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics. Quezon City. C&E Publishing. Contreras, A., Dela Cruz, A.R., et. al (2016) The Padayon Series: Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics. Quezon City. Phoenix Publishing House. Lanuza, G., Raymundo, S., (2016), Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics. Sampaloc, Manila: Rex Bookstore, Inc. Santarita, J., Madrid, R. (2016) Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics. Quezon City. Vibal Publishing End of Lesson 7, see you in the next lesson! Understanding culture, society, and politics lecture notes | Page 5 of 5