UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY AND POLITICS

MODULE 7: Forms and Functions of State and Non-State Institutions

Competency: Explain the forms and functions of state and non-state institutions
TARGET
Society consists of social structures and social institutions that are governed by norms
and values. Each individual in a society has specific roles and functions that are meant to
achieve balance in the society. However, the pursuit of interests generates various conflicts in
the society. Competition over resources is often the source of conflict.
By the end of World War II, various humanitarian issues and crises took place. More than
6 million was displaced at the end of war. Faced with this large-scale of humanitarian crisis,
international community responded with various measures including the establishment of the
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1950.
The large-scale of human predicament show how human rights are being violated by the
institutional actors such as government. This incidence leads to the creation of state and non-
state institutions. These institutions became relevant in the advent of globalization and
urbanization.
Specific Learning Objectives:
After finishing this module, you are expected to:
1. define state and non-state institution.
2. identify the different forms and functions of state and non-state institutions.
3. describe the different forms and functions of state and non-state institutions.
4. describe the inter-relationship of state and non-state institutions.

JUMPSTART

Activity 1: Unscramble the Letters. Re-arrange the letters to identity the concepts being
described. Put your answer to the box provided for.
Scramble Letters Description Answer
An organized political community acting
ATEST under a government and united by
common set of laws
A form of business operation that
declares the business as a separate
RANIOTROC entity guided by a group of officers
known as the Board of Directors.

RNVEGOTENM The governing body of the state or

nation
A financial institution licensed to provide
SKABN several financial services to different
types of customers.
Organizations formed by workers from
DETRAONUNI related fields that work for common
interest of its members
Businesses governed on the principle of
TIVESOOCPERA one member, one vote

DISCOVER

What is a State?
At the time of the initial development of the modern human rights system, States were
the dominant actors in the international arena.

A state is an organized political community acting under a government and united by

common set of laws. It uses absolute power in directing the path of a society. It also uses

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complete political coerciveness, which may come in the form of armed forces personnel,
stricter laws, and rigid government policies in order to attain its societal goals and objectives.
Market exchange is the primary form of economic subsistence of a state wherein
standardized currencies are being used to exchange commodities.

States differ in sovereignty, governance, geography, and interests. It may be classified

as sovereign if they are not dependent on, or subject to, any other power or state. Other states
are subject to external sovereignty where ultimate sovereignty lies another state.

The concept of the state is different from the concept of government. A government is
the particular group of people that controls the state at a given time. In other words,
governments are the means through which the state power us employed like applying the rule
of law.

The concept of the state is also different from the concept of a nation, which refers to a
large geographical area, and the people therein who perceives themselves as having a
common identity. The state is a political geopolitical entity; the nation is a cultural or ethnic
entity.

As states consists of actors with varying interests and assertions, social rules are
implemented in the forms of laws. These laws are created to manage the interaction among
individuals and between the individuals and the state. As a citizen of a country, an individual is
subjected to the legal norms in the territory. These norms may include paying taxes, rendering
military services, and contributing to the political life in the society.

The State intends to be a strong actor in the performance of the three important
political functions. The state, in full form, maintains control over violence in its domain
allocates resources and rewards at its discretion, and stands as the major focus of identity for
the large majority of the people under its authority.

Elements of the States

The following are the elements of a State:
a. People
It is the people who make the state. Population is essential for the state. Without
population there can be no State.
b. Territory
There can be no state without a fixed territory. People need territory to live and
organize themselves socially and politically. It may be remembered that the territory of the
states includes land, water and airspace.
c. Government
It is the organization or machinery or agency of the State which makes, implements,
enforces and adjudicates the laws of the state.
d. Sovereignty
It is the most exclusive elements of State. Without sovereignty no state can exist. State
has the exclusive title and prerogative to exercise supreme power over all its people and
territory. It is the basis which the State regulates all aspects of the life of the people living in
its territory.

Forms of State Government

States come in a variety of forms that vary on who holds power, how positions of
leadership are obtained, and how authority is maintained.
1. Authoritarian Government
Authoritarian governments differ in who holds power and in how control they assume
over those who govern. The following are examples of Authoritarian government:
 Monarchy is a form of government in which supreme power is absolutely lodged with
an individual, who is the head of the state, often for life or until abdication. The person
who heads a monarchy is called a monarch. Some monarchs hold unlimited political

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 power while many constitutional monarchies, such as the United Kingdom and
Thailand. Currently. 44 nations in the world have monarchs as head of state.
 Totalitarianism is a political system that strives to regulate nearly every aspect of
public and private life. It theoretically permits no individual freedom and that seeks to
subordinate all aspects of individual life to the authority of the state. Modern examples
of totalitarian states include the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin, Nazi Germany under
Adolf Hitler, the People’s Republic of China under Mao Zedong, and North Korea under
the Kim Dynasty.

2. Oligarchic Government
An oligarchy is a form of government in which power effectively rests with a small-elite
segment of society distinguished by royalty, wealth, family, military, or religious hegemony.
An oligarchy does not have one clear ruler, but several powerful people who rule. One
common example is theocracy.
 Theocracy is a government by divine guidance or by official who are regarded as
divinely guided. Leaders are members of the clergy, and the state’s legal system is
based on religious law. Contemporary examples of theocracies include Saudi Arabia,
Iran and the Vatican.
3. Democratic Government
Democracy is a form of government in which the right to governs is held by the majority
of citizens within a country or a state. The two principles of democracy are that all citizens
have equal access to power and that all citizens enjoy universally recognized freedoms and
liberties. People can either become country leaders through electoral process or elect
leaders who represent the core values and beliefs. There are 99 democratic nations
globally. Examples of democratic nations are Philippines, Norway, New Zealand, United
States of America, Canada, Columbia, Italy, and South Africa.

Roles of the States

The following are the roles of States; but not limited to:
1. State provides security against external aggressions and war. For this purpose, the state
maintains an army.
2. State ensures security against internal disturbances disorders and crimes. For this
purpose, the state maintains police.
3. State legally grants and guarantees the rights of the people.
4. The state issues and regulates currency and coinage.
5. State undertakes steps for the creation of necessary conditions for the socio-economic-
politico-cultural development of the people.
6. State grants citizenship and protects their interests and rights.
7. State conducts foreign relations, foreign trade and economic relations.
8. State secures the goals of national interest in international relations

Non-State Institutions
Non-State institutions are people and/ or organization that participate in international
affairs and relations but are not affiliated with any state or nation.
These non-state institutions include the following: bank and corporations, cooperatives
and trade unions, transnational advocacy groups, and development agencies and international
organizations. These non-state institutions are equally capable of influencing policy formation
and implementation.
 Banks
Bank is a financial institution licensed to provide several financial services to
different types of customers. Banks are in operation mainly for their deposits and
lending functions. Customers are allowed to deposit their money to banks which grow
through an interest rate. Banks also provide loans, with an interest to customers who
need money either for personal consumption or for investment and businesses. Banks
may be categorized into major forms such as commercial banks and investment banks.

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 Table 1. Major forms of banks and their description

Forms of Bank Description

Commercial Banks  Financial deposit with security and convenience which
could be in the form of credit cards, debit cards, and
check.
 Provide business, individual, and personal loans,
enabling commercial banks to earn interest.
 Serve as payment agents within and outside the country
through wire transfer
 Subjected to more regulations
Investment Banks  Financial intermediaries that perform a variety of
services for businesses and some government
 Issues securities to the investing public
 Make markets, facilities, mergers, and other corporate
reorganizations
 Acts as brokers for institutional clients
 Under the supervision of regulatory bodies such as the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), FINRA, and
the US Treasury
 Subjected to fewer regulations
Source:https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/061615/what-are-major-categories-financial-institutions-
and-what-are-their-primary-roles.asp

The two most well-known financial institutions that are actively shaping the
socioeconomic development of the Philippines are the World Bank and the Asian Development
Bank. They have been providing financial aid to the Philippine government and various
nongovernmental organization (NGOs) to facilitate their development objectives.

 Corporations
A form of business operation that declares the business as a separate entity guided
by a group of officers known as the Board of Directors. They were created by
individuals, stockholders or shareholders, with the purpose of operating for profit. They
have all legal rights of an individual, except for the right to vote and certain limitations.
They are given the right to exist by the state that issues their charter. Corporation
example includes General Motors Corporation an icon of American craftsmanship,
Apple Corporation as one of the famous tech companies, Amazon Corporation founded
by Jeff Bezos is the world’s leading e-commerce and innovation company, Domino’s
Pizza is a global food chain company delivering quality food worldwide.

Common Types of Corporations

A corporation can be created by a single shareholder or by multiple shareholders
who come together to pursue common goal. A corporate can be formed as a for-profit or
a non-for-profit entity.
 For-profit entities form the majority of corporations, and they are formed to
generate revenues and provide a return to their shareholders, according to their
percentage of ownership in the corporation. Examples: HBO in partnership with
International Rescue Committee, Ford Motors and Lynda.com.
 Not-for-profit entities operate under the category of charitable organizations,
which are dedicated to a particular social cause such as educational, religious,
scientific, or research purposes. Rather than distribute revenues to shareholders,
not-for-profit organizations use their revenues to further their objectives.
 Human Rights Campaign is a very impressive example of using Facebook profile
photos to spread the word far and wide about campaign. Greenpeace the

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 environmental non-profit used GPS technology to inform the public about their
cause.
 Multinational Corporations (MNCs) are business organization that extends
ownership, management, production, and sales activities into several or more
countries. MNCs are boon to the economic growth and development of the states.

Table 2. The Good and bad Effects of MNCs

Introduce technology Offer ill-suited technology
Encourage economic growth Retard economic growth
Encourage interdependently Cause dependency
Elites learn to regulate Elites become compradors
Promotes human rights Harms human rights
Protect the environment Hurt the environment
Economic actors Political actors
Promote a cosmopolitan world Damage national Culture
Source: Conway Henderson (1998)

Check out the big names of MNCs that have already existed in the Philippines:

Google HSBC
Viber Citibank
Palo Alto Networks Maersk
Procter and Gamble Hewlett Packard
Thomson Reuters Coca Cola Far East
Accenture Deutsche Bank

 Cooperatives
Cooperatives are people-centers enterprises owned, controlled and run by and for
their members to realize their common economic, social, and cultural needs and
aspirations.
Cooperatives are businesses governed on the principle of one member, one vote.
There are several common types of co-ops, including cooperatives owned and
operated by:
 The people working there (worker cooperatives);
 The people buying the co-op’s goods or services (consumer cooperatives)
 The people collaborating to process and market their products (producer
cooperatives); and
 Groups uniting to enhance their purchasing power (purchasing cooperatives)

Cooperatives play a critical role in building community wealth for several key
reasons:
 They often provide quality goods and services to areas that have been shunned
by traditional businesses because they are deemed less profitable.
 They typically invest in local communities
 Since most cooperative members are local residents, business profits remain and
circulate in the community
 Cooperative membership builds social networks and strengthens social cohesion
which are essential elements of a strong, healthy communities by connecting
diverse community residents
 Purchasing cooperatives help small, local businesses remains competitive within
markets dominated by large, national retailers
 Worker cooperatives create quality, empowering jobs for community members
 Trade Unions/Labor Unions
Trade Unions are organizations formed by workers from related fields that work for
common interest of its members. They help workers in issues like fairness of pay, good

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 working environment, hours of work and benefits. They represent a cluster of workers
and provide a link between the management and workers.
The purpose of these unions is to look into the grievances of wagers and present a
collective voice in front of the management. It acts as the medium of communication
between the workers and management. Among these trade unions that exist in the
Philippines are the Federation of Free Workers (FFW), Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and
the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP).

Functions of Trade Unions:

o Advocating for fairness and equality for workers’ compensations.
o Securing better working conditions for workers.
o Trade Unions will organize strikes and demonstrations on behalf of worker
demands.
o Fight for social welfare for workers.
o Promote and advocate for education and proper training for workers.
o Advocate and fight the government for legislative protections of the workers.
o Promote and advocate for organizational growth and stability
o Trade Unions acts as representatives of workers in national and international
forums.
o Involved in collective bargaining agreements and disputes with management to
settle any conditions on employment.
o Advising management on correct personnel policies and procedures.
o Involved in collective and personal collective grievances between management
and workers.

 Transnational Advocacy Groups

Transnational Advocacy Groups (TAGs) play an increasingly important role in
international and regional politics and have contributed to changing policies of
multilateral organizations and states. They are particularly visible in contentious areas
as human rights, environmental issues, international peace, and women’s rights. They
have specific roles to partake that can be achieved through effective measures, case-
specific methods, and activities. TAGs serve as international catalysts for change,
aiming to achieve international changes towards policies and practices. The very
essence of TAGS is the formation and development of their advocacies and campaigns
that represent causes, ideas, values, and beliefs.
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty are active in the human rights field. Oxfam and
Save children deal with humanitarian issues. Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth
represent environmental concerns.
 Development Agencies
Development Agencies have been established to develop the cooperation between
the public sector, private sector and civil society. These are organizations with specific
aims and goals. The common denominator among these organization is the term
development. These agencies concentrate on the growth. Progression, and
advancement of specific concerns, which can be infrastructure or social institutions.

Types of Development Agencies:

International Organization is an institution with membership drawn from two or more
countries. Its activities transcend national boundaries as it facilitates cooperation among its
members in the performance of one or more tasks. The international organization can be
public or private. A public organization is an international government organization (IGO) with
states as its members. Prominent examples of IGOs are United Nations, the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (NATO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), European Union (EU),
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and World Health Organization (WHO). A
private organization has a membership of individuals or groups and is an international
nongovernment organization (INGO) that originate for reasons other than politics such as
International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol). INGOs may lobby or work regularly with
the government and IGOs.
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 Nongovernment Organization is a non-profit group that functions independently of any
government. It serves the social or political goals such as humanitarian and environmental
causes. Most NGOs aim to promote the practice of democracy among societies and social
change through their initiatives and organizational methods. Many NGOs have targeted their
efforts toward population groups that tend to be underserved by governmental programs,
including women, the aged, physically and mentally disabled persons, the poor, and various
social groups that have been marginalized by virtue of race, religion, ethnicity, caste, and
social class.

Interrelationship of Government and Non-State Institutions

Government rules society. This reflects how powerful government institution can be. If
non-state institutions interfere with the governing body, two possible things can happen:
o Integration among these two institutions may take place to achieve precise solution
towards development.
o Conflict and tension may also arise because one could exceed the other in terms of
societal control and influences (Penninx, 2013)

EXPLORE

Activity 1: If I were a lawmaker. Pretend to be a lawmaker and read the following situations
below. Identify whether or not social inequality is present on each situation. If it does, suggest
ways on how to address it. If it does not, justify the claim for equality.

1. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected almost all aspects of human life. In the early period of
the pandemic in the Philippines, there were some reported incidences that some wealthy
and influential people have immediate and instant access in COVID-19 testing services
under government affiliated agencies. However, the rest of the general public have difficulty
to have access in such kind of health services. As a lawmaker, what can be done to avoid
social inequality in this scenario?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

2. The number of men who contract prostate cancer is about the same as the number of
women getting breast cancer. The disparity in annual government research funding
between the two cancers is striking and discriminatory, illustrating yet again the
institutionalized misandry existing in Western Societies. (Ray Blumhorst, National Coalition
for Men)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
3. In Mindanao, the southernmost and second largest of the Philippines’ islands, six of the 10
regions are among the top 10 nationally in terms of poverty rates, with between 25 and 40
percent of families living in utter poverty. Nationwide, the 30 most deprived provinces are
home to more than one-third of the Philippines’ poorest families, resulting in generational
poverty that is incredibly difficult to emerge from. (Child Fund International).
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Rubric for Scoring

3 2 1 0
Exceeded Satisfactorily Came close to Did not meet
Criteria expectations Met all meeting the the
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 expectations expectations expectations
Details and content
Reflect personal
thoughts/knowledge/learning
Mechanics /grammar
Conclusion

DEEPEN
Activity 1: My_Socio_Class_Autobiography
Directions: You are tasked to make your own Social Class Autobiography. In this activity you
are given a chance to tell or describe the social class (upper, middle, lower) where you
currently belong to. What made you think that it is where that you belong? In your own social
class autobiography, make sure to link your experiences to different class privileges or social
inequality that you might think you had encountered. Connect I to ideas that we have
discussed in this module like issues on poverty, education, healthcare, food, water, etc. you
might also include your dreams and aspirations in life and things that you want to be and how
you can reach that goals and objective. Your autobiography should contain introduction and
conclusion, and it should address the following questions:
1. Cite at least two events from your life that you experienced social inequality. Describe
how these occurred.
2. From these experiences, take time to reflect on each event and tell us its relation to
poverty, wealth, inequality, or privilege.
3. Reflect on what you have learned from those experiences.
4. Suggest solutions on how to address such experiences; how can that be avoided.
5. What can the government do to help you and the social class you think you belong to
address problems you have encountered most especially in this time of pandemic?

Rubric for Scoring

Criteria 5 4 3 2 1
Ideas This paper is clear This paper is The writer is Topic is not well- As yet, the paper
and focused. It mostly focused, beginning to defined and/or has no clear sense
holds the reader's and has some define the topic, there are too of purpose or
attention. good details and even though many topics. central theme. To
Relevant details quotes. development is extract meaning
and quotes enrich still basic or from the text, the
the central theme. general. reader must make
inferences based
on sketchy or
missing details.
Organization The organization Paper (and The organizational Sentences within The writing lacks a
enhances and paragraphs) are structure is strong paragraphs make clear sense of
showcases the mostly organized, enough to move sense, but the direction. Ideas,
central idea or in order, and the reader through order of details, or events
theme. The order, makes sense to the text without paragraphs does seem strung
structure of the reader. too much not. together in a loose
information is confusion. or random fashion;
compelling and there is no
moves the reader identifiable
through the text. internal structure.
Sentence Fluency The writing has an The writing mostly The text hums The text seems The reader has to
easy flow, rhythm, flows, and usually along with a choppy and is not practice quite a bit
and cadence. invites oral steady beat, but easy to read in order to give
Sentences are well reading. tends to be more orally. this paper a fair
built, with strong businesslike than interpretive
and varied musical, more reading.
structure that mechanical than
invites expressive fluid.
oral reading.
Conventions The writer The write The writer shows The writer seems Errors in spelling,
demonstrates a understands good reasonable control to have made little punctuation,
good grasp of writing over a limited effort to use capitalization,
standard writing conventions and range of standard conventions: usage, and
conventions (e.g., usually uses them writing spelling, grammar and/or
spelling, correctly. Paper is conventions. punctuation, paragraphing
punctuation, easily read and Conventions are capitalization, repeatedly distract
capitalization, errors are rare; sometimes usage, grammar the reader and
grammar, usage, minor touch-ups handled well and and/or make the text

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 paragraphing) and would get this enhance paragraphing have difficult to read.
uses conventions piece ready to readability; at multiple errors.
effectively to publish. other times, errors
enhance are distracting and
readability. impair readability.
Presentation The form and The format only The writer's The writer's The reader
presentation of the has a few mistakes message is message is only receives a garbled
text enhances the and is generally understandable in understandable message due to
ability for the easy to read and this format. occasionally, and problems relating
reader to pleasing to the paper is messily to the presentation
understand and eye. written. of the text, and is
connect with the not typed.
message. It is
pleasing to the
eye.

GAUGE
Directions: Read the sentences carefully and write the letter of the correct answer on a
separate sheet of paper.
1. Which of the following is NOT an effect of poverty?
A. One’s health is correlated to poverty; upper class individuals have better overall health.
B. The more income a family has, the more likelihood of their children experiencing private
schools.
C. The persistent stress of low-income lifestyle causes weaker immune systems of those in
poverty.
D. Those in poverty have greater access to post-secondary education (college).
2. Social inequality is defined as...
A. one person has more friends than another
B. an unequal distribution of resources in society
C. having a 12-car garage but only six cars
D. the organization of social classes
3. We can understand social inequality from a macro-sociological perspective because...
A. lived experience is impacted by gender, race and class
B. we see inequality in everyday life
C. some people work harder than others
D. meritocracy is focused on structure rather than individual
4. Which of the following BEST defines social stratification?
A. The poor being forced down by the wealthy
B. Social minorities being mistreated by the majority
C. The social elites being propped up by the poor
D. Dividing people into a hierarchy
5. What is distribution of wealth?
A. This is the way that vouchers and cash are given to poor people
B. The inheritance that a child gets when a parent passes way
C. This is the way that good weather improves a person's life chances
D. This is the way that wealth is distributed between people
6. Select the two answers which demonstrate a large pattern of inequality
A. Social security and other state benefits are given to those who fall below a certain
income.
B. In the UK the top 10 percent get 31 % of all income in the UK while the bottom 10
percent get just 1 %.
C. In Singapore, the top 20 richest percent of the population are about 10 times richer than
the poorest 20 %
D. Different countries have the same levels of inequality.
7. Which of the following is a quality of global inequality?
A. It has grown over the years.
B. It is still growing at present.
C. It is rampant all over the world.

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 D. It is not deemed necessary in the global economy.
8. What concept refers to the unequal access to social desirables and life opportunities
between the social classes in society?
A. Social Inequality B. Social Equality C. Social Concept D. Social Deviance
9. What is the unequal distribution of social gaps across nations?
A. Social Inequality B. Social Deviance C. Global Stratification D. Global Inequality
10. What involves the concentration of resources among a selected number of nations?
A. Social Inequality B. Social Deviance C. Global Stratification D. Global Inequality

Congratulations for a job well done. You are almost done with this module.

REFERENCES

Books:
Algeria, M., Vallas, M., & Pumariega, A. (2010). Racial and ethnic disparities in pediatric mental health.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 19, 759-774.

Arnett, Jeffrey J. 1995. „Broad and Narrow Socialization: The Family in the Context of a Cultural Theory‟,
Journal of Marriage and the Family, 57 (3): 617-28.

“Closing the Social Inequality Gap in the Philippines.” Childfund, 2019.

Lee, Jr., J. M., & Rawls, A. (2010). The College cpmpletion agenda: 2010 progress report. New York:
College Board.

Obama, B. (2013, December 4). Remarks by the President on economic mobility. Washington, DC: The
White House.

Online Sources:
“Programs and Policies: GOVPPH.” Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 2021.

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph.ph/programs/.

https://www.scribd.com/presentation/421717405/Module-6-Enculturation-and-Socialization

https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/post2015/transformingourworld

https://link.quipper.com/en/organizations/547ffe5ed2b76d0002003367/curriculum#curriculum

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