Understanding Culture, Society and Politics

WEEK - 2 JAIME J. GILBUENA

Learning Competencies :

- Articulate how sociology, anthropology and political science explain the notions of the
social within their respective disciplinal domains
- Explain the benefits of recognizing the operations of social forces when using the
sociological, anthropological, and political imagination
- Understand the shared concerns of sociology, anthropology, and political science with
respect to the nature of social change
- Analyze the role of culture in the formation of cultural idiosyncrasies (in general) and the
production of social identities (in particular)
- Appreciate the role of social diversity in promoting social understanding and cultural
tolerance

The Social as “Driver of Interaction”

The study of society can be accomplished in three different ways : (1) by mapping the social
forces impinging on social actors as their lives intersect in society; (2) by rehearsing the structures and
components of cultural practices and traditions; (3) by exposing the asymmetrical power of distributions
among members of social communities and organizations.

A. Sociology

Sociology focuses on the ubiquity of social forces in unlikely forms such as :

1. Sex
2. Gender
3. Religion
4. Class
5. Race
6. Ethnicity
7. Sexual Orientation (preference)

Social forces represent a constellation of unseen yet powerful forces influencing the behaviour
of individuals and institutions. In this sense, social forces can be interpreted as any human-created way
of doing things that influence, pressure, or force people to behave, interact with others, and think in
certain ways.

Social forces are considered remote and impersonal because mostly people have no hand in
creating them, nor do they know anyone who do or did. People can embrace social forces, be swept
along or bypassed them, and most importantly challenge them.
 Sociology is defined by Anthony Giddens as the study of human social life, groups and society.

Social forces are normally in the guise of rules (written and unwritten), norms and expectations.
The influence of these three is normally taken for granted and assumed to be natural

A quick History of Sociology

Sociology was born in Europe (especially in Germany, England and France) during the period of
Industrial Revolution. It was a period that witnessed the rapid developments of industry that occurred
in Britain in the late 18t h and 19th centuries brought about by the introduction of machinery.

The first set of sociologists starting with August Comte (1798-1857) credited to be the father of
the discipline for having coined the term sociology, Karl Marx (1818-1883), Emile Durkheim (1858-
1977), and Max Webber (1864-1920) were the first to raise critical questions about the deluge of
changes brought about by the mushrooming factories (and associated technologies) within and outside
the major cities of England. The bulk of their critical reflections focused on the seen and projected
impacts of these changes on their traditional way of life exacerbated by the dissolution of the family as
the basic unit of society, construction of new forms of social interactions, and emergence of new social
identities.

William Durkheim, a French social thinker had his monumental work on suicide and introduced
the concept of “social fact” which later sealed the eventual institution and recognition of sociology (at
least initially in France) as a new social science. Social fact is another name for social phenomenon.
Social fact according to Durkheim was a characteristic feature of the power of ideas to create social
realities for members of society.

B. Anthropology

Anthropology as a science is seeking to uncover principles of behaviour that apply to all human
communities. It focuses on human diversity around the world (seen in body shapes and sizes, customs,
clothing, speech, religion and world-view), anthropologists look at cross-cultural differences in social
institutions, cultural beliefs and communication styles.

As a social science, anthropology focuses on human diversity around the world. Anthropologists
look at cross-cultural differences in social institutions, cultural beliefs and communication styles. They
often seek to promote understanding between groups by “translating” each culture to the other, for
instance by spelling out common, taken-for-granted assumptions.

Anthropology is the systematic study of the biological, cultural and social aspects of man.

Seen as a modalities (or forms) of social inequality, cultural diversity and social diversity have
been the perennial subjects of theoretical musings of sociologists, anthropologists, and political
scientists.

- Sociologists attributed the persistence and omnipresence of inequality to the beneficial

functions it provides for the over-all operation of society. This is exemplified the merit
system (of giving incentives) and division of labor (of diverse skills and expertise). The merit
system is the system of providing incentives and rewards depending on the qualifications of
the social actors involved. It is based on the assumption that people will perform better if
given rewards.

- Political Scientists, on the other hand, explain social inequality as a product of an

asymmetrical distribution of power in society. The distribution power, nonetheless, is seen
as a contingent to and necessary for the governance of social relations. So for political
 science, the clearest manifestations of power relations is the existence of the state, which
may be seen as a legitimate mediator of societal tensions, as well as social integration.

- Anthropologists takes account of the “equal but different ways” of how people live in the
world. The “difference dimensions” is seen as representing the culture’s inherent value,
hence, it is essential to the appreciation of the culture sui generis, while the “equal
dimension” is interpreted based on the logic that the same appraisal can be used to judge
even influential and renowned cultures. For examples, social arrangements however
exotic/familiar (e.g. rituals and system of symbols, values) or idiosyncratic/normative (e.g
culture traits and practices, norms) can be seen as practical since they provide directions
and instructions for a hassle-free life in their respective societies.

Forms of Diversity

1. Cultural Diversity – means a range of different societies or people of different origins,

religions and traditions all living and interacting together (skin, color, language and
ethnicity)

2. Social Diversity refers to the gaps between people as measured by the presence or
absence of certain socially desirable traits.

C. Political Science

Political Science is the scientific study of government and politics. It makes generalizations and
analysis about political systems and political behaviour and uses these results to predict future
behaviour. Political Science includes the study of political philosophy, ethics, international relations,
foreign policy, public administrations and the dynamic relations between different parts of the
governments.

Political Science assumes the asymmetrical power relations of members of society that
problematizes the unjust and unfair effects of such relations manifested in matters related to
governance. Power relations are forms of interaction mediated by the use and deployment of authority
and political influence. They have different layers ranging from personal to the group/organizational, to
the institutional and governmental. Political science is fascinated by the variety of their manifestations;
hence, its goal is to document these manifestations and map the constellations of power relations
within the different layers. Their political analysis is sharpened by the diverse issues and concerns
debated within and across the layers.

Public Administration – examines how the government functions and how decisions and
policies are made.

Political Economy – evaluates the interplay between economics, politics and law and its
implications to the various institutions within society.

Comparative Politics – compares domestic politics and governance system across different
sovereign states.

Identity is the distinctive characteristic that defines an individual or is shared by those belonging
to a particular group. In the family, ones identity can be that of a daughter, a son, , brother or sister. In
the school it may be a person who is a member of school organ, council, a club or organization, it may
also be a football, basketball player, music enthusiast and performance artist. Identity can also be
influenced by nationality, sexual orientation and gender.

The Story of Political Science : A Crib Version

Political Science is the discipline that problematizes the nature of power and studies the how
possession and exercise of power can shape individual actions and collective decisions for that matter.
The social thinkers, in different degrees and sophistication argued for the existence of the state in order
to create a community of citizens free from the brutalities of the state of nature , where every man is
enemy to each one. The contract requires the people to surrender completely or in part, their rights to
whoever (a persona) or whatever (an office) who or which in return exercises the same for the
protection of everybody. The state emerged out of the contract.

The first political task that confronted political theorists was the establishment of a political
community that would protect the collective good, which in this context was born out of the social
contract. However, this is not the end of the task of political science.

A second task became necessary due to the failure of the social contract, seen in failed state or
states in crisis. It is here where issues of legitimacy, reform and resistance /revolutions emerge. The
focus is on how each party fulfilling its side of the contract.

A third task became more evident during the period of modernity and this is due to the fact that
in the desire to establish order, that much focus was given on the political collective. The individual in
which Aristotle considered as a “political animal”, disappeared as focus. It is well documented that the
desire to establish a political community took its toll on individual rights. The third and final task of
political science aimed at bringing back the individual to the political domain, focusing on what has been
labeled as ”identity politics” that celebrated the saying “the personal is also political.”

Reference :
Understanding Culture, Society & Politics :
Copyright. 2016 by Phoenix Publishing House, Inc.
and Antonio P. Contreras, Arleigh Ross D. Dela Cruz, Dennis S. Erasga
and Cecille C. Fadrigon

JAIME J. GILBUENA ERALLA B. MANALILI

Subject Teacher School Principal
Answer Sheet :

Me and My Social Map

Starting with your present situation as a student, list down the important factors that you think
are responsible for the kind of person you are right now. Start with what is unique in you as a social
person (not necessarily focusing on your biophysical traits ). Link each feature with a societal, cultural,
or political force. Then evaluate each in terms opportunities and constraints it provides in pursuing your
present and future plans. Use the table below as a template for your assessment .

My unique features as a social Types of social forces Assessments of effect

person responsible for these features

(May incude but are not limited (Is it societal/cultural/political?) (Does it provide opportunities
to sex, religion, residence) or serve as constraints?)

Note :
Please return only the answer sheet once you have completed what was required for you to
answer on the above table.

JAIME J. GILBUENA ERALLA B. MANALILI

Subject Teacher School Principal