ELEMENTS AND TYPOLOGIES
OF COMMUNITY
The Societal
Structures
To understand the basic structures and
subunits within the community ecosystem.
"A vibrant civil society can challege
those in power by documenting corruption
or uncovering activitie like the murder of
political enemies. In democracies, this
function is mostly performed by the media,
NGOs, or opposition parties."
-Evgeny Morozov-
Introduction
Social Status refers to the position one hold in a
society or group. It is the class to which his/her socioeconomic standing fit.
A role is a set of defined and expected behaviour or
norms that is ascribed to certain social status. One
individual may have several statuses depending on the
community he or she is in. If a person acts against the
will or laws of a collective, he/she risks losing benefits,
rights, and networks.
Theoretical Perspective
Functionalism
Emile Durkheim
Durkheim argues that what is true to an
individual may not be used as a generalization
in describing the society he or she is in. For a
functionalist, society is like a machine where
each part has functions and roles that then
contribute to the bigger picture.
Conflict Theory
Karl Marx, one of the father of communism,
proposes that there is a class conflict between the
haves and have-nots. The "working class" is the
workers that toil to earn their wages. Marx considers
the bourgeoisie as the primary enemy of the people.
The relation between the upper class and the lower
class creates an antagonistic relationship, or
between a thesis and an anti-thesis. This type of
relation in either sweeping change throughout an
organization or community, or a disastrous rift that
may no longer be mended until such time a new
model or synthesis rises.
4 Types of Aliention
Alienation from production - A worker simply does not directly gain
from the good or service produced.
Alienation from process - A worker does not control his or her time
nor his or her way of doing things
Alienation from others - A worker is judged based on the
performance of others which creates unwarranted competition from
his or her peers
Alienation from the self - A worker is seen as just another worker in
the factory line.
Symbolic
Interactionism
Symbolic interactionism takes itself
away from the other theories and
perspectives. It does not look into
primary social institution as the main
variable of study. Instead, it looks at
individuals, their histories, and the
perspectives that make up their view of
the world. A society and its core
characteristics are, in itself, a product
of this interaction.
3 main points of Mead's theory about
Symbolic Interactionism
1. Meaning can be different from each person
depending on his or her history, knowledge, and
ongoing experience.
2. The meaning, in itself, can change and will
inevitably change.
3. Action or reaction may be different depending
on how the person sees the meaning.
Social Structures
A SOCIAL STRUCTURE PERTAINS TO THE INTERRELATION OF
BEHAVIORS, ROLES, AND STATUSES WHICH CONSTITUTE A
STABLE NETWORK OF SOCIAL INTERACTIONS AND RELATIONS.
THE STRUCTURES CREATED MAKE UP A SET OF VALUES THAT
STEM FROM THE COLLECTIVE CONSCIOUSNESS OF
INDIVIDUALS. THIS GOES TO SHOW THAT SOCIETY IN ITSELF
IS A SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OR AN IDEA THAT WE HAVE
CONJURED UP AS A COMMUNITY AND BELIEVE TO BE TRUE.
Political Structures
As part of the political landscape, groups, other institutions, pressure groups, social
movements, and individuals all contribute to the formation of a political system. Policy
recommendations and modifications are the outcome of interactions between the political
system and other actors, and they have immediate effects in our lives. Our government has
a direct impact on us through broad policies that influence our behavior patterns. We may
perceive the link between the state and us, the citizens, at a macro level. To truly
comprehend the state's strength, we must examine our own community and the structure
that governs it. The Philippines' local political system can be traced back to the balangays,
which is a Filipino word that means "sailboat."
Each balangay was headed by their tribal chief or the datu whose association was by
virtue of kinship or blood relations. These early barangays mostly lived near bodies of
water and most of their means of living revolved around trade and fishing. The former
datu later on became part of the ruling upper class or the principalia.
Basic information to remember on the barangay
according to Local Government Code of the
Philippines
CHAPTER 1. ROLE AND CREATION OF
THE BARANGAY
SECTION 384. Role of the Barangay
SECTION 385. Manner of Creation
SECTION 386. Requisites for Creation
CHAPTER 2. BARANGAY OFFICIALS AND
OFFICES
SECTION 387. Chief Officials and
Offices
SECTION 388. Persons in Authority
Economic Structures
The current economic system is laissez-faire (French for "allow to
do"), which implies there is no central group or institution in charge
of determining the means of production and controlling the market
as a whole. There is also a free market economy centered on the
concept of competition. Only those who are deemed significant
and valuable can grow, profit, and expand, similar to the survival
of the fittest theory proposed in evolutionary biology.
5 various types of
market
Monopoly
A pure monopoly is a
market in which all goods
and services come from a
single supplier. For many
people, a monopoly is a
sign of a messed-up
market because it can't
protect customers from
the seller's fixed price.
State action overprotects
obstacles to entrance or
access to compete in a
monopoly, which is counter
to liberal notions of the
free market.
Monopolistic
A monopoly is a market in
which there are an infinite
number of sellers but each one
is properly differentiated from
other competitors in the sphere.
Think of it as when you are
buying candies, they are
essentially the same but
different in one way or the
other. This differentiation is
what sets a candy apart from
the rest, and therefore the
seller may charge a little more
or a little less depending on
the offered value addition.
Oligopoly
An oligopoly, fundamentally,
is a market where only a few
are able to produce certain
goods or services. This sets
an unfair advantage since
the limited number of
producers can easily
manipulate supply and
prices for their own interests.
If the government is not
able to step in and regulate
these producers, then they
can easily have the power to
fix the markets benefitting
their profit motive.
Monopsony
A monopsony market is one in which
there is just one producer and an
infinite number of customers.
Because there are no other
purchasers, the single buyer has
complete control over the price. This
is something to consider when a
government project is up for public
bidding. Each manufacturer of the
commodity or service can guarantee
the government their most
competitive pricing, but the
government holds the bargaining
chip at the end of the day.
Perfect Competition
An open market with an infinite
number of buyers and sellers is
known as perfect competition.
Buyers can choose which option
best suits their needs during this
period of competition. Products
or services that are not cost and
value competitive will be phased
out of the market. Only those
that the market considers to be
the best or most cost-effective in
relation to their worth will survive
and thrive.
Sociocultural Structures
The interactions between these social variables generate the
syntheses from discourses that create the patterns of social
norms, and these structures are made up of diverse
institutions, assemblies, and actors.
It is a physical or theoretical structure in which a person
interacts with others in society through their culture.
Political Trends
The Philippines has experienced numerous political
shifts that have changed the way we view power,
authority, and the government. Many of our institutions
vouch for a free and liberal society that espouses
human rights, individual freedom, and free-market
competition. History, in the standpoint of sociology, is
one of the major influences of our future actions.
Economic Trends
Philippine economy is regarded as one of the
most resilient in Asia with a stable monetary and
fiscal policy. Despite the relatively volatile
economic condition which is often affected by
political instability, the Philippine market was
able to withstand multitudes of challenges. The
Philippine economy has conservatively protected
itself despite the temptation to borrow,
overreach, and end up with a fiscal deficit.
Cultural Trends
After the Cold War, globalization was in as the
free market started taking over the world. This
paved the way for the appreciation of other
ways of life coming from outside the state. In
shopping malls, you can see foreign clothing
brand competing with local brands. Foreign
movies, TV shows, and music are very popular in
the country, and most of our so-called Original
Pilipino Music (OPM) songs have foreign
influences.
Too much patronization of foreign brands
would mean fewer sales for our local products.
To avoid this, the government should support our
local manufacturers in making their products
competitive in the global market. There is a call
for us to also explore our native culture and
appreciate our heritage. We have to know who
we are and have a genuine appreciation of our
own identity as Filipinos.
Technological Structure
We need to advance critical thinking
and innovation in this fast-paced
society. For far too long, research has
been undervalued in the Philippines.
This is largely due to the scarcity of
funding for inventors and scientists.
Local industries have been left to fend
for themselves as a result of the
development of local products.
One Town, One Product
(OTOP) Philippines
The One Town, One Product (OTOP-Philippines) program is a
government priority program that promotes entrepreneurship and
job creation. OTOP assists micro, small, and medium-sized
enterprises (MSMEs) in producing, offering, and marketing unique
products or services by utilizing indigenous raw materials and local
skills and talents.
Disaster Risk Reduction
(DRR)
Because it lies along the Pacific Typhoon Belt and within the Pacific Ring of
Fire, the Philippines is highly vulnerable to natural disasters. UNICEF has
conducted a study on children's vulnerability to the effects of climate change
and disasters. It will create models of child-centered disaster risk
management for local government units to replicate in the future (LGUs).
Disasters feed a vicious cycle of poverty by preventing children from
exercising their rights and families and communities from realizing their
development potential. People who are displaced and deprived of their
livelihoods are the most vulnerable to the effects of natural disasters.
UNICEF will assist in the capacity building of local NGOs and will
collaborate with local governments and national agencies to develop childcentered DRM programs.