USC – SHS North Campus

Soc Sci 01: Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics

First/Second Semester
A. Y. 2023 - 2024

MODULE 6
State and Non-State Institutions
I. What will you learn from this module?
After studying this module, you will be able to explain the forms and functions of
state and non-state institutions.

II. Let’s Check What You Already Know

WHAT DOES THE PICTURE SAY?

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III. Let’s Explore
Gist: The state plays a constructive role to allow welfare improvement of the population. This
module focuses on the different functions of the state as a social institution which is considered
to have the biggest impact on society as a whole. This will also explore the important
contributions of non-state institutions and evaluate the impact of their interventions in the
process of governance of the state.

A. The State

1. Political structure or institution is defined as an organized way in which power and

authority are distributed and decisions are made within a society.

2. Power is defined as the ability to accomplish desired objectives even if there is

resistance or opposition from others.

3. Authority is the power that people vest or place in someone that they agree to follow.

4. A state is different from chiefdoms because it has a bureaucracy that stands between
those in power or the ruling elite and the commoners creating a three-level system.
Bureaucracy is the apparatus that ensures the vital functioning of states on a daily basis.

5. The types of authority are Rational-Legal Authority, Traditional Authority, and

Charismatic Authority.

5.a. Rational-legal authority also known as bureaucratic authority is power

derived from rules and regulations that are enacted legally.

5.b. Traditional Authority is found mostly in pre-modern or pre-industrial

societies, where values and beliefs are shared by virtually everyone in society.

5.c. Charismatic authority is power legitimized by a person's extraordinary

qualities that convince others to follow him or her despite great adversities.

6. There are four (4) types of political organizations ranging from the simplest and most
informal to the most complex and formal forms.

6.a. Bands are made up of a family or small number of extended families,

usually nomadic, that cooperate to survive by foraging or hunting. This is headed

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 by a headman who is chosen by the members on the basis of skills and prowess
like bravery or proficiency in hunting.

6.b. Tribes are comprised of extended families and scattered self-sufficient

communities or villages in different locations that are politically integrated on the
basis of either kinship (related clans or lineages) or non-kinship groupings (like
age sets).Familial ties by virtue of birth or marriage become the basis for
membership.

6.c. Chiefdom is centralized in structure and is headed by a chief who formally

exercises authority over all others or commoners within his realm. The position
of the chief is often hereditary wherein males are usually given the position. A
chief holds the top position on the basis of some supernatural powers, hence,
making him a secular and spiritual leader.

6.d. State has a centralized structure with a three-level system in which the
bureaucracy stands between those in power or the ruling elite and the
commoners. The state ruler exercises his power by delegating certain tasks to
bureaucrats who are given limited power and authority to act on behalf of the
ruler.

7. States in the modern world can be categorized according to their political systems.

7. a. Monarchy is a political system in which one person rules all over others in
society. This is the result of succession that has been in place for generations
within the same family.

7.b. Democracy is a political system where powers rest largely on the people in
the society.

7.c. Authoritarianism prohibits the people from participating in the governance

of the society.

7.d Totalitarianism is a highly centralized political system where people lives

are constantly monitored and regulated by those in power.

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B. Non-State Institutions

Banks and Corporations

15. Corporation is a legal entity with rights and liabilities that are separate from that of its
members.

16. Transnational or multinational corporations are based in one country but their
market is in the entire world. Global corporations operate in less industrialized countries
because of their rich natural resources as well as the availability of cheap skilled labor.

17. Bank is an important non-state institution in a capitalist economy in which money is

stored, created, and distributed. Saving banks focus more on residential mortgages and
other types of consumer loans while commercial banks put greater focus on businesses
are their clients.

Cooperatives and Labor Unions

18. Cooperatives are businesses owned and controlled by their members themselves. It
exists for a variety of reasons. Some are those who engage in production while others
are into distribution and marketing. Surpluses and revenues earned from their members
are also returned as dividends.

19. Labor Unions are organizations of workers seeking to improve wages, benefits, and
working conditions through various means ranging from negotiations or strikes.

20. Most capitalist economies do not encourage unionism among its workers since from
their view, this affects the company’s profits. Labor unions are also known as trade
unions and usually only for regular employees, not for contractual ones.

Civil Society and Advocacy Groups

21. The term civil society refers to a distinct part of a society comprising a number of
social groups apart from those of the state and government. They are concerned with
certain perceived needs or advancing an agenda or cause or promoting specific
interests of the general public or segment of society.

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 22. The primary goal of civil society is to ensure the quality of life of individuals and
groups by increasing their capability to meet their own needs. It involves finding ways to
respond to social needs including nutrition, health care, clean water, shelter, and
protection of rights, among others.

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QUESTIONS TO PONDER:

1. What do you think are the implications of the presence of international

organizations in our country?
2. What benefits do we get from them?
3. What are the adverse issues that arise from their presence?
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IV. Reference
Amper, ZH., Bersales, JE. & Nolasco MF. Knowing Our Social World: A Comprehensive
Worktext in Understanding Society, Culture, and Politics for Senior High School. Cebu City:
USC Press, 2016.