Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics

Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600

Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: ABM 12 – IS A
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 10– UCSP Subject Teacher: Ms. Shannae O. Mirabueno

SOCIAL, POLITICAL, AND CULTURAL CHANGES AND RESPONSES

TOPICS:

1. Defining Cultural, Social, and Political Change

2. Sources of Cultural, Social, and Political Change
3. New Challenges to Human Adaptation and Social Change
4. Responding to Social, Political, and Cultural Change

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Through discussion and the module, the learners are able to:

1. Analyze social, political and cultural change.

2. Recognize the common concerns of intersections of anthropology, sociology, and political
science in relation to change.
3. Identify new challenges faced by human populations in contemporary society
4. Describe how human societies adapt to new challenges in the physical, social, and cultural
environment.

INTRODUCTION
What comes to your mind when you hear the word change? Change is a state of becoming
different from the status quo. Just like humans that experience biological changes through time,
societies are subject to change through the instigation of various factors such as the environment
technology. Social change is a concept used to portray any changes in human social systems (Stets
and Burke, 2003). Social change may happen in any social relationships, social structures,
organizations, and institutions. In general, all changes that take place in human society that has a
domino effect to all social systems are considered a form of social change.
This module discusses some common challenges we are experiencing, and the basic
responses we are doing. The first part provides the meaning of cultural, social and political change.
The second part discusses the sources of cultural, social and political change. The third part now
focuses on the new challenges to human adaptation and social change. Lastly, the fourth part
provides responses in addressing social, political, and cultural change. An activity about will follow
afterwards.

Note: Please read and understand the entire module first before answering the activity.

DISCUSSION:

I. DEFINING CULTURAL, SOCIAL, AND POLITICAL CHANGE

All the changes that happen in human society are deeply rooted on these three aspects:
cultural, social and political. These three (3) are not mutually exclusive as they are
interrelated structures and processes.
a. Social change - it is the transformation of social institutions over time.
b. Cultural change - it is the transformation of culture or the way people live.
c. Political change - happens when the rulers of a country lose power or when the
type of governance in the country changes. Governance is the kind of system or
ideology used to express authority in a country. It may be a democracy, monarchy,
oligarchy, and others.

A. Social Change According to Different Proponents:

1. Comte, Durkheim, and Spencer – argue that social change constantly happens in
an identical way. This denotes that all societies undergo specific processes and
stages before reaching the complete level of evolution or change as guided by
Charles Darwin’s concept of evolution.
2. Talcott parsons – believes that social change is associated with homeostasis or the
state of balance (equilibrium). This theory supposed that any change in a social
 Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: ABM 12 – IS A
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 10– UCSP Subject Teacher: Ms. Shannae O. Mirabueno

aspect specific social aspect necessitates adjustment in other aspects to avoid

imbalance and maintain social order.
3. Karl Marx – argues that social change is a proactive state where in people will only
attain social change or development when freedom and equality is already
attained.
4. Tim Dyson – argue that social change is interrelated with the concept of
demographic transition, where in the changes in the composition of the population
results in changes in social structures.

II. SOURCES OF CULTURAL, SOCIAL, AND POLITICAL CHANGE

A. Innovation – may be in the form of new scientific knowledge, new beliefs, and additional
inventions.
B. Diffusion
Diffusion involves the process of transferring cultural traits and concepts, see discussions on
Cultural Lag and Cultural Diffusion, Module 3
C. Acculturation and Assimilation
1. Acculturation is the process of learning a culture other than one’s own.
2. Assimilation is a gradual process of culture change that allows for the
indistinguishable cultural similarities between two different cultures.
D. Social Contradictions and Tensions
1. Inter-ethnic Conflicts, Class Struggle, Armed Conflict and Terrorism
2. Gender Issues

III. NEW CHALLENGES TO HUMAN ADAPTATION AND SOCIAL CHANGE

A. Climate change
B. Transnational migration and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)

IV. RESPONDING TO SOCIAL, POLITICAL, AND CULTURAL CHANGE

 Every societal change entail certain reactions, responses, and adaptations. Individuals
have several kinds (positive and negative) to these growing numbers of societal changes,
causing them to establish social movements to defeat or transform what has been already
changed.

A. INCLUSIVE CITIZENSHIP AND PARTICIPATORY GOVERNANCE

1. Inclusive Citizenship
 Citizen – refers to the members of a political community that have submitted
themselves to the government, for the promotion of common good and protection of
rights.
 If citizens demand to be kept by the State, the citizens likewise have their obligations
to the State, as follows (De Leon, 2011, 214-221):
1. ToF be loyal to 2. To cooperate with 3 To contribute to the 4. To engage in
i
the Republic duly-constituted development and welfare of gainful work
l authorities3 the State
i
5. To defend the 6. To uphold the 7. To exercise rights responsibly 8. To register
Statep Constitution and and with due regard for the and vote
i obey the laws rights of others
n
o citizens owe allegiance to the Philippines. Thus, citizens, together with the
government, are bound to face state challenges together. Challenges encourage
active State-Citizen active State-Citizen Partnership.
 The Philippine constitution denotes that “the prime duty of the government is to serve
and protect the people. The government may call upon the people to defend the State
and, in fulfillment thereof, all citizens provided by law, to render personal military or civil
service” (Section 4, Article II).
2. Participatory Governance
 Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: ABM 12 – IS A
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 10– UCSP Subject Teacher: Ms. Shannae O. Mirabueno

The opportunity to take part in the political system is such a fundamental tenet of the
democratic system of government that it very existence is rarely is rarely questioned. People
must be able to have their say – to vote, to engage in political debate and let those in
power know their views on issues which concern them. This is what democracy is about.

(Richardson 1983:1 in Aulich, 2009)

 Participatory governance is important in social dynamics, because it enables the

government to implement relevant policies.
 In a democratic society, citizen participation in politics is encouraged.

3 CATEGORIES OF PUBLIC GOVERNANCE:

a. Civic and Political Governance – deals with issues that are related to human
rights.
b. Development Governance - mainly pertains to planning, budgeting, monitoring
and accountability of socio-economic development policies and programs.
c. Participatory governance
 Citizen engagement is the desired outcome or logical end of
participatory governance.
 Participation is a fundamental goal and object of value in and of itself.
o REMEMBER: the right to participate in a society’s decision-making
processes is a fundamental human right.
 Participation can help deepen democracy, strengthen social capital,
facilitate efficiency and sustained growth, and promote pro-poor
initiatives, equity and social justice
d. Preconditions of Participatory Governance
1) Political Efficacy Political efficacy is the “feeling that political and social
change is possible and that the individual citizen can play a part in
bringing about this change”
 High levels of efficacy among citizens are usually viewed as desirable
for the stability of democracy, because in the modern democratic
society, citizens should feel that they have some power to influence
the actions of their government (Schulz, 2005)
2) Political will refers to the extent of committed support among key decision
makers for a particular policy solution to a particular problem.
 Political will exists when 1) a sufficient set of decision- makers 2) with a
common understanding of a particular problem on the formal agenda
3) is committed to supporting 4) a commonly perceived, potentially
effective solution.

B. SOCIAL MOVEMENTS
Social movements consist of large numbers of people, who, through deliberate and
sustained efforts, organize to promote or resist social change. At the heart of social
movements lie grievances and dissatisfactions.
Proactive social movements promote social change because a current condition of
society is intolerable. In contrast, reactive social movements resist changes in society that
they perceive as threatening.
1. Classifications of Social Movements
David Aberle classified social movements into four broad categories according to
the type and amount of social change they seek.
a. Two types seek to change people but differ in terms of the amount of change
desired:
1) Alterative social movements seek to alter only particular aspects of
people (e.g., the Women’s Christian Temperance Union);
 Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: ABM 12 – IS A
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 10– UCSP Subject Teacher: Ms. Shannae O. Mirabueno

2) Redemptive social movements seek to change people totally (e.g., a

religious social movement such as fundamental Christianity that stresses
conversion).
b. Two types seek to change society but also differ in terms of the amount of
change desired:
1) Reformative social movements seek to reform only one part of society
(e.g., animal rights or the environment);
2) Transformative social movements seek to change the social order itself
and to replace it with their own version of the ideal society (e.g.,
revolutions in the American colonies, France, Russia, and Cuba).
2. Five Stages of Social Movement
MAIN IDEA: they go through five stages as they grow and mature.
1) Unrest and agitation grow because people are upset about some social
condition; at this stage, leaders emerge who verbalize people’s feeling.
2) Leaders mobilize a relatively large number of people who demand that
something be done about the problem; charismatic leaders emerge during this
state.
3) An organization emerges with a division of labor with leadership that makes
policy decisions and a rank and file that actively supports the movement.
4) Institutionalization occurs as the movement becomes bureaucratized and
leadership passes to career officials who may care more about their position in
the organization than about the movement itself.
The organization declines, but there may be a possibility of resurgence. Some movements cease to
exist; others become reinvigorated with new leadership from within or from coming into conflict with
other social movements fighting for the opposite side of the issue, (e.g., social movements relating to
abortion).

REFERENCES:

 Aguilar, M., et al. (2016) Society, Culture and Politics. Quezon City: The Phoenix Publishing
House Inc.
 Alejandria-Gonzalez, M. (2019) Understanding Culture, Society and Politics Module. Second
Edition. Makati City: DIWA LEARNING SYSTEMS INC

 Andersen, M. L., Taylor, H. F., & Logio, K. A. (2017). Sociology: The essentials. Cengage
Learning.
 Basic Concepts: Social Groups: Meaning, Characteristics, Classification. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://cms.gcg11.ac.in/attachments/article/214/unit%202%20social%20group%20features%20
and%20classification.pdf
 Calhoun, Craig (1994). Sociology. 6th Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc.
 Farley, John (1990). Sociology. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc.
 Giddens, A., Duneier, M., Appelbaum, R. P., & Carr, D. S. (2016). Introduction to sociology.
W.W. Norton & Company, London.
 Macionis, John (2002). Sociology. Prentice Hall, Inc. New Jersey
 Schaefer, R. T. (2017). Sociology: A brief introduction. Kindle Edition
 Schulz, W. (2005). Political Efficacy and Expected Political Participation among Lower and
Upper Secondary Students. A Comparative Analysis with Data from the IEA Civic Education
Study. Australian Council for Educational Research, 2-34.
 Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: ABM 12 – IS A
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 10– UCSP Subject Teacher: Ms. Shannae O. Mirabueno

ACTIVITY 10:

NAME: DATE:
SECTION: TEACHER:

PERFORMANCE TASK WORK SHEET

General instructions:

1. Please take note that There are three (3) parts to this Performance Task (PT) with a total of
100 points.
2. Read the instructions carefully.
3. Answers for Parts I and II shall be placed in this worksheet unless you have underlying
reasons as to why it is impossible to do so.
4. Answer for Part III shall be placed on a different sheet. The illustration MUST be HAND-
DRAWN OR HAND WRITTEN. You then take a clear picture then submit.
5. Ask your teacher for assistance should you have trouble understanding the parts of the PT.

PART I

Instruction: Complete the table by providing three (3) EXAMPLES of changes Social Media had in
your own culture, the Filipino society, and the political arena of the Philippines. Then, provide a 3-5
sentence explanation on each example. (45 points)
Criteria for scoring for EACH change
Listed change (3)(2)
Explanation (2)(1)

A.
1 Your Culture B.
C.
A.
2 The Filipino Society B.
C.
A.
3 The Philippine Politics B.
C.

PART II

Instruction: Complete the table below by providing what is asked. Mode of scoring is presented on
the first row. (21 points)
 Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: ABM 12 – IS A
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 10– UCSP Subject Teacher: Ms. Shannae O. Mirabueno

Dimensions 1 Advantage 1 Disdvantage 1 Issue/ Problem 1 Possible Solution on

concerning the the issue/ problem
Dimensions. Real- life mentioned in column 3
situations are welcomed
(1) (1) (2)(1) (3)(2)
Participatory
Governance
Social
Movement
Social Media

PART III

Instructions: Below are quotations on social (culture, society, and politics included) change. Choose
one (1), then, through illustration (such as drawings, slogans, poster- slogans, etc.) interpret the
quotation selected. (35 points)

Criteria for Scoring

Content (Relevance to the selection) (20)(18)(16)
Creativity (15)(13)(11)

“A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on
1
programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom.”― Martin Luther King Jr.
“The secret message communicated to most young people today by the society around them
is that they are not needed, that the society will run itself quite nicely until they - at some distant
point in the future - will take over the reigns. Yet the fact is that the society is not running itself
2
nicely... because the rest of us need all the energy, brains, imagination and talent that young
people can bring to bear down on our difficulties. For society to attempt to solve its desperate
problems without the full participation of even very young people is imbecile.”― Alvin Toffler
“If you go out into the real world, you cannot miss seeing that the poor are poor not because
they are untrained or illiterate but because they cannot retain the returns of their labor. They
3
have no control over capital, and it is the ability to control capital that gives people the power
to rise out of poverty.” ― Muhammad Yunus
“Even today we don't pay serious attention to the issue of poverty, because the powerful
remain relatively untouched by it. Most people distance themselves from the issue by saying
4
that if the poor worked harder, they wouldn't be poor.”
― Muhammad Yunus
“Our freedoms are vanishing. If you do not get active to take a stand now against all that is
wrong while we still can, then maybe one of your children may elect to do so in the future,
5
when it will be far more riskier — and much, much harder.”
― Suzy Kassem