CHAPTER TWO:

UNDERSTANDING LOCAL
NETWORKS
Lesson 1: Relationships
within a Local Network
Network is a group of people whom we
interact daily. Our relationships are
networked.

The cellular network in the human brain,

for instance, is an amazing network that
makes human life possible.
Networks are a ‘set of nodes and
ties’. (Brass, 1994:42)
Thethings that are connected are
usually called nodes.
Networks are analyzed in terms of density,
hierarchy, multiplexity, interdependence and
embeddedness (Kilduff and Tsal, 2003,
pp.3off)

Density- The density of a network is based on

the number of connections between and
among the actors. According to Kilduf and
Tsai, the higher the number, the denser the
system.
Hierarchy- Actors in the network can pull their
investments in social relations by establishing
relations with a diverse set of groups in the
community (preferably groups that are not
connected to each other), rather than
establishing all of their relationships with
members of one group.
Complexity- Complexity is the extent to which
a link between actors served a multiplicity of
interests in the community. The more complex
relations have considered have higher tie
strength. Complexity also represents the
extent to which two people are bound to
each other in different social grounds.
Interdependence- The ties in the network can
be useful in facilitating change and reform.
The interdependence of social ties in a
community produces benefits for actors and
members. Interdependence facilitates
cooperation and creates social capital
necessary for the progress of the community.
Social capital is the accumulated benefits as
a result of the maintenance of a positive
relationship between different groups and
associations in the community.
Embeddedness- The networks of relations
within each person is rooted include family,
friends, and acquaintances. To be sure,
business associations themselves are held
together by formal relations of power as well
as by casual connections that interface
individuals crosswise over departmental and
progressive limits.
A Network is often likened to a spider web.
The spider’s web can be representation of the
nature of network of relationships that a person
builds.
The network of relationships has its base
support, a center and some strategic places.
It
also serves the needs and purposes of the
network holder.
A network is made up of interacting
groups of people.
It has many layers of interactions; it starts
from household to village to national and
to global communities.
Although the illustration suggests that country
and global networks are found outside local
network, it is important to note that national or
global issues affect the community.
However, it is important to note that the
starting point of a local network is the
relationship between two individuals which is
the fundamental support base of any society
(Eriksen, 2010).
The goal of every individual participating is to
enrich his or her web of relationships. Strong
relationship among people creates a sense of
community.
The community is further strengthened as it
develops its own norms ad local knowledge to
guide its decision-making.
HOUSEHOLDS
A dyadic relationship is the smallest unit of
social relationship.
this
commonly starts in the household
which usually consists of members of a
nuclear or extended family.
Being aware on how relationships work in a
particular household enables us to reduce
tensions and conflicts.
Itcan also help us identify the strengths and
resources of the family, which can be
beneficial in finding solutions to family
problems.
A household is a rich source of social analysis
where a local network can draw different
resources (material, social, intellectual,
cultural) imperative in addressing social issues
within a community.
Understanding social practices can provide
us insights on why certain larger social issues
are happening.
A household is always connected to other
households and to larger social institutions,
such as the community or the state.
The absence of boundaries of social network
in digital space allows households to
generate new sources of information to
improve its subsistence.
BARANGAY
A local network is made up of interdependent
household relationships within a village known as
the barangay.
Barangay is a Filipino native term for a village
formerly known as barrio.
Itis the smallest administrative unit in the
Philippines.
As a political unit, the barangay council exerts
political authority over problems involving
barangay members.
The interdependence of community life within
the barangay implies that many political,
social, cultural, and religious issues can be
solved within the household or barangay,
usually involving communal response.
Kinship is a natural organizing system. In
rural areas, families usually live close to
each other.
This sense of community ties within the
barangay allows people to feel the
obligation to help their neighbors who
are in need.