5 Organization in Society, Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics

Kinship Ties and Social Networks: Politics of Kinship

Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

explain the concept of politics of kinship,

discuss how politics of kinship affect the functions of society to people, and

recognize the existence of issues arising from the politics of kinship.

What caused the existence of politics of kinship?

Is politics of kinship an advantage or disadvantage?

How does the politics of kinship affect society?

Find out the answers in this lesson!

Kinship Ties and Social Networks

Kinship is a system of a culture of recognized family roles and relationships that define the
rights, obligations, and boundaries of the interactions of members of a self-recognizing group.

Kinship and family ties may be determined by genetic relationships, adoption, or other ritualized
behaviors such as marriage and household economies.

Kinship systems range in size from a single, nuclear family to tribal or inter-tribal relationships.

A social network is a social structure comprised of individuals joined by a particular pattern of

links or relations. Social networks are indicative of a person or an organization's relations,
membership, links, and connections. It is noteworthy that these systems serve a role in the
attainment of societal goals.

Through networks serving as media for the spread and exchange of ideas, people get
connected, get updated, and become aware. Aside from that, social networks act as social
support systems which provide people with information and guidance in times of need.

Politics of Kinship
The idea that "blood is thicker than water” and similar concepts apply to politics. Kinship is the
primary source of political support and action in small or even bigger societies.
Kinship alliances are naturally formed and traditionally remain a power bearer that dominates
Filipino culture.

An explanation for this phenomenon would be the family orientation of the Filipinos. For some
reason, the obligation to one's kinship group compels one to prioritize his or her family before
the rest of society. This, from time immemorial, has generated issues in power allocation in our
community.

Topics include political dynasty, padrino system, and the use of political power to build business
empires or personal gains.

● Concepts of Power in Filipino Kinship Politics

Ideally, merit is the top qualification for any position of consideration, particularly in
politics.Certain circumstances resulting from the interplay of Filipino values, family, and power
have influenced codes of honor on selection processes.

Here's a list of some of Filipino values which have affected the way we make decisions and view
power.

Issues Concerning the Politics of Kinship

Kinship means family, which could mean the “world” to some people. Without a doubt, we place
the family first on our list of priorities, and there is nothing wrong with that, as long as you do not
put public interest at stake.

Here is a list of issues concerning the politics of kinship.

Explore!
What are the positive and negative effects of politics created by kinship?
How does kinship affect power allocation in Filipino society?

Try it!
Give at least one example for each Filipino value enumerated below:
debt of gratitude (utang na loob)

shame (hiya)

the act of yielding to the majority of the kin group (pakikisama)

competition for greater status (palakasan)

What do you think?

Is it possible for Philippine society to eliminate bad politics created by kinship?

Keypoints
Kinship is a system of a culture of recognized family roles and relationships that define the
rights, obligations, and boundaries of an interactions of members of a self-recognizing group.

A social network is a social structure comprised of individuals joined by a particular pattern of

links or relations.

A political dynasty is the concentration, consolidation, or continuation of public office and

political power by persons related to each other.

Alliance is a relationship between people, groups, or states that have joined for mutual benefit
or to achieve some common purpose, regardless if explicit agreement has been worked out
amongst them.

The padrino system is the practice, among those with power or influence, of favoring relatives or
friends.

Political activism is the way people participate or get involved in various political processes to
promote, impend, and raise awareness of an issue.

Utang na loob is a way of reciprocity of debt of gratitude to others within the family circle or
primary group.

Hiya is the inability to say "no" to offers for the fear of what others will think, say, and do.

Pakikisama is characterized by togetherness and allegiance to your group with a concern for
what others feel.

Palakasan is a system wherein those in power compete to obtain special privileges and
exemptions from regulations by bending the rules of law for their kinship group.