Cultural, Social, and Political Institutions PDF

Cultural, Social, and Political Institutions Understanding Culture Society and Politics (UCSP) Lesson Targets 01 Analyze economic organizations and their impacts on the lives of people in the society 02 Differentiate functions of nonstate institutions in society 03 Evaluate h...

Cultural, Social, and Political Institutions Understanding Culture Society and Politics (UCSP) Lesson Targets 01 Analyze economic organizations and their impacts on the lives of people in the society 02 Differentiate functions of nonstate institutions in society 03 Evaluate how functions of education affect the lives of people in society and Promote primary education as a human right  The Big Questions: Why are collaborations and partnerships very important in building communities and institutions?  Understanding Cultural, Social, and Political Institution Institutions are society's building blocks. These formal organizations defined with a purpose and established by people, constitute the very foundation of society. Five Primary Social Institution: 1. Family 2. Government 3. Economy 4. Education 5. Religion Economic Institutions Economic institutions are at the core of growth and development particularly in the world that is increasingly interdependent. Such institutions allow people to participate within different economics spheres operating within societies and cultures. Economic institutions operate within economic systems that define their functions and responsibilities in a particular sphere. Economic institutions in a country are comprised of government, non-government, and private organizations as well as corporations. Economic Institutions Throughout the history of mine mankind economic institutions have existed in order to address the problem of scarcity which is the fundamental issue that is being addressed in economics. The issue of scarcity ascertains that people will always compete for resources and henceforth there is a need for established institutions that would facilitate ways and mechanisms that would address scarcity. Such as institutions also facilitate trade, commerce, exchange of goods and services, and financial transactions necessary for daily life. In the long-run, economic institutions may evolve or not depending on how they are integrated into the political and cultural dimensions of countries. Nonstates institutions Banks and Corporation Banks Are part of economic systems that operate within and among different countries of the world. According to Wilson (2015) a bank is an institution that deals in money and its substitutes (checkbooks, credit cards, debit cards, etc.) and provides other money-related services. Generally pounds act as a financial intermediary in economic systems. This means that it helps facilitate and manage the flow and circulation of money in economic systems the two major types of banks are the commercial banks and central banks commercial banks are typically private and profit oriented( Example: BDO, Metrobank, Security bank, China bank, and etc) Central banks ( Bangko sentral ng Pilipinas) are usually public sector institutions dealing mainly with national governments with other commercial banks and other central banks (Wilson 2015). Nonstates institutions Cooperatives and trade unions Cooperatives and trade unions A cooperative is an autonomous association of individuals to meet a common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations draw a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise. Cooperatives usually have voluntary and open membership members participate in the decision-making process and members contribute to the capital of their business venture. The income of the cooperative is also distributed equally among the members (International Cooperative Alliance, 2015). Nonstates institutions Trade union A trade union is a group of organized laborers working in a specific company, Corporation, industry, or trade. A trade union is created for the purpose of advancing the welfare of laborers. Members of a trade union usually negotiate with employers in terms of securing an increase in wages, additional benefits, security of tenure, working conditions as well as political or social status. Trade unions facilitate collective bargaining in which representatives of the workers and employers meet to establish agreements about the general welfare of employees. Nonstates institutions Transitional advocacy Transnational advocacy groups. Transnational advocacy networks are open and fluid relationships among advocacy groups that deal with economic, political, social, and environmental issues. These relationships span nation-state boundaries which means that the cause that they are promoting is common between and among countries of the world. Transnational advocacy groups exist to influence international policy and promote changes in the day-to-day lives of ordinary people. Examples of issues that motivate advocacy groups are the following: human rights, consumer rights, women's rights, environmental issues, international peace (Center on Law and Globalization, 2015). Examples of transnational advocacy groups are Amnesty International, Ford Foundation, Greenpeace, World Wildlife Fund, and International Alliance of Women among others. Nonstates institutions Development Aid Agency A development agency is an organization whose purpose is to distribute aid or the voluntary transfer of economic, social, political, and environmental resources from one nation state to another. Development agencies vary in structure and classification. Some development agencies are run by governments whereas others are private or non-governmental organizations. Examples of non-governmental developmental agencies are Oxfam, World Vision, ActionAid, etc. Examples of governmental development agencies are AusAID, EuropeAid, and USAID among others. Nonstates institutions International Organizations An international organization is a group that has an international scope and membership. International organizations operate within and across borders to promote a particular aspect or field of development (ex. poverty reduction, environmental conservation, economic development, etc.)  Education The saying "It takes a village to educate a child" originates from an African proverb, which originally mentions, "It takes a village to raise a child." Within the same context, raising or educating a child is not only the responsibility of parents but it is a national priority, a national agenda. Year after year, governments around the world allot substantial amount of their national budget to education. Functions of education in society Education properly imparted and acquired, is an important social process that helps in alleviating the conditions of the poor, in opening opportunities for all and in supporting the State in its nation-building efforts. Empowering citizens especially those who are marginalized is what education offers. Knowledge accumulation, skills training and development of one's potentials drive an individual to succeed in life. Education is considered a great social equalizer that is why the State mandates compulsory basic education. Education in the Philippines is pro-poor and pro-people. In our culture, it is considered a blessing and gift to our parents when we are able to graduate in college. Opportunities are also available to citizens who have reached certain academic credentials. Most companies have high regard for employees who graduated with honors or from Ivy League schools. Educated citizens are also regarded as productive individuals who can be successful businessmen, renowned artists, or determined professionals in the course of their career. Functions of education in society  Aside from what has been mentioned, d education according to Sharma (2012) develop holistic attributes of individuals 1 2 3 4 Development of inborn Modifying Behavior— All-round development— Preparing for the future— potentialities— Education Education helps to Education aims at the all Through the proper helps a child to develop modify the past round development of a education and after his/her inborn behavior through child-physical, mental, completion of education, potentialities. learning and through social, emotional, and the child could be different agencies of spiritual productive and thus, is education. well and able to earn his livelihood. 5 6 Developing personality— Helping for adjustability— The whole personality of Man differs from beast. the child is developed Man has reasoning and physically, intellectually, thinking power. Man tries morally, socially, and his best to adjust in his spiritually. own environment through education. Self actualization The key to social well-being is to live a comfortable life. Self- actualization in Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs refers to self-fulfillment and happiness. It is the state of contentment and self-empowerment. Education brings forth the following: 1 The freedom to make informed choices. 2 The joy of socializing with friends and classmates and by learning together. 3 The experience to be moved by what you see, feel, touch, and think of throughout your within and outside the classroom 4 The feeling of excitement and joy in preparing for your career before and after graduation. Self actualization The key to social well-being is to live a comfortable life. Self- actualization in Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs refers to self-fulfillment and happiness. It is the state of contentment and self-empowerment. Education brings forth the following: 5 The discovery of new knowledge and disseminating it through research and publication 6 The possibility of becoming an intelligent consumer 7 The time and the place for your own privacy to read, write and be creative and innovative 8 The honor of sharing your wisdom to others as a mentor, a teacher or even as a good friend Primary Education as Human Right Primary education as a human right. Education is not anymore a privilege for the few. Gone are the days when only the rich can afford to study in college. UNESCO states that education is a fundamental human right and essential for the exercise of all other human rights (The right to education, 2015). Thus government commits itself to provide basic education and to ensure that education remains a fundamental human right. Religion and Belief System Since time immemorial mankind has been in constant search for an explanation about the truth and meaning of life. Questions regarding the meaning, purposes, and the mystery behind everything that happens in this world contine plague our very existence. Social Function of Religion Overtime, this particular need to be able to explore and understand the realities of life and beyond is fulfilled by adherence to some religion in one way or the other. According to The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary (2004), religion is a “devotion to some principle; strict fidelity or faithfulness; conscientiousness; pious affection or attachment “Meriam-Webster also defines religion as “an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or group of gods. It is also defined as commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance." Henceforth, religion is seen to be the anchor that holds man to the very core of his existence in religion is that it provides meaning to everyday existence. In fact, according to Jenny King (2002), religious activities of man centered on the most important elements of their existence, such as prosperity, happiness, perfection, and abundance. These things provide man with the necessary answers to some of the most grueling questions of life. As such, man is able to perform and function within the society in accordance to his own beliefs. Social Function of Religion This shows that religion is beautifully interwoven into society to address questions that we, as humans, do not have an immediate answer to. Religion functions as a thread that binds people into certain beliefs and practices that would cover for their desire to be emotionally and spiritually satisfied. In fact, it is so much integrated and ingrained in our society that some cultures revolve around certain religious traditions and customs. In turn, these practices affect how people perform day-to-day functions. It has a significant impact on what they choose to eat, wear, say, and do. It also affects how they see themselves as a member of the society and how they interact with other people as well. In essence, religion does not only shape societies and culture but in most cases, it is the society and culture. Furthermore, religion is a platform or tool that can be used as an instrument in propelling societies forward or vice versa.  TYPES OF RELIGION Judaism- which originated in West Asia and one of the oldest religion in the world. Christianity—’is a religion that is based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ as chronicled in the New Testament of the Holy Bible. Islam — which literally means submission, is a religion that originated in Saudi Arabia in West Asia or Middle East. Buddhism — one of the oldest, most established religions in the world. Hinduism— One of the oldest religion. It is deeply rooted in the culture of India.  Ecumenism and Interfaith Dialogue Ecumenism and Interfaith Dialogue. Ecumenism refers to the movement or tendency which emphasizes worldwide Christian unity and universality. The term ecumenism is derived from the Greek words oikoumene which means "the inhabited world" andoikos which means "house." The origins of the Ecumenical movement can be traced back to the teachings, commands, promises, and prayers of Jesus Christ (Britannica, 2013). In this regard, Ecumenism refers to a literal idea of a single church which could be achieved either by organizational unity (through the Roman Catholic Church) or spiritual unity (through universal and standard teachings and doctrines concerning matters of the Christian faith). Ecumenism promotes the idea that despite different practices, cultures, and traditions, Christians all over the world could be agents of hope, peace, and greater change (Kee et al., 1998).  Religious Conflicts In reality, however, despite countless efforts to promote peace and unity among the different belief systems existing in the world today, conflicts still exist. In fact, religion has been and continues to be one of the most important driving factors that shape conflicts in the history of the world. For thousands of years, religious beliefs, customs, and practices often cause misunderstandings among people and nations. The world's history holds so many accounts proving that religious belief systems could cause a rift between and among followers of different faiths. From the Crusades of the Middle Ages, to the Protestant Reformation during the Renaissance, to the conflicts between Islam and Hinduism, up to the Arab-Israeli Wars of recent years, one thing is common: religion plays a very central role. In fact these conflicts have all been driven by the thought that one religion should reign supreme above all others.  Religious Conflicts In reality, however, despite countless efforts to promote peace and unity among the different belief systems existing in the world today, conflicts still exist. In fact, religion has been and continues to be one of the most important driving factors that shape conflicts in the history of the world. For thousands of years, religious beliefs, customs, and practices often cause misunderstandings among people and nations. The world's history holds so many accounts proving that religious belief systems could cause a rift between and among followers of different faiths. From the Crusades of the Middle Ages, to the Protestant Reformation during the Renaissance, to the conflicts between Islam and Hinduism, up to the Arab-Israeli Wars of recent years, one thing is common: religion plays a very central role. In fact these conflicts have all been driven by the thought that one religion should reign supreme above all others.  Thank you for attentive listening!