Understanding Culture,

Society and Politics

on the principle that there is
variation in traits which is resulted
Cultural Variation, Social by recombination of genes from sexual
Difference And Political reproduction. These traits are
changeable and can be passed down
Identity generation to generation. It also relies
Cultural variation on differential reproduction, the idea
- refers to the rich diversity in social that the environment can't support
practices that different cultures unlimited population growth is
exhibit around the world . Cuisine because of the reason that not all
and art all change from one culture to individuals get to reproduce to their
full potential.
the next, but so do gender roles,
economic systems, and social
Table 1. primarily shows the examples of
hierarchy among any number of other
kinds of cultural variation (namely
humanly organized behaviors.
ethnicity, religion and nationality) and its
- Cultural variation can be studied
definitions
across cultures.
Cultural Variation
- People specifically students are not
the same and alike. Their socio- Kinds Description Example
economic status, backgrounds, Ethnicity it is the Ilocano
expression of Mangyan
political beliefs cultural behaviors. the set of
Just like the saying goes “Different cultural ideas Maranao
strokes different folks” held by
indigenous
- Across the globe societies are
people
different in forms and varies, this is Religion Is a system of Christians
because of culture. beliefs and Muslim
- Cultural Variation also refers to the practices as
Hindus
differences in social behaviors well as system
of actions
that different cultures exhibited directed toward
around the world. And with the entities which
current New Normal, another variation are above men.
is on the horizon. Nationali It is the legal Filipinos
- As a result of interacting by culture in relationship Malaysians
ty that blinds a
both progressive and aggressive is due person and a Indonesians
to the evolution of those cultures being country.
uninfluenced by one another. What
may be considered good etiquette in
one culture may be considered an Social difference
offensive gesture in another. As this
occurs constantly, cultures push each - is a situation where people felt
other to change. The variations discriminated and there are also
between humans are summarized in individuals on the basis of social
the ideas of natural selection and characteristics and qualities.
evolution. Human variation is based
 Understanding Culture,
Society and Politics
- Social difference can create identity, it may include race,
discrimination among nationality where people live and a
individuals . For example, if in a person’s gender, sexuality, religion
society individual with a high and socio- economic class.
status are given more respects and - Political identity as shown in Table 3
importance as compared to the poor is about having political affiliations,
political benefits and loyalty as well.
or homeless
people. Thus, social differences can create Political Identity
a lot of problems in society because
Kinds Description Example
discrimination and prejudices always result benefit from
Political Liberal
in inequality inferiority complex Party partisan, seek Nationalista
and others. a to cultural
partisan
Social Difference loyalty
Kinds Description Example including
Gender it is the Lesbian dynasties
socially Gay among their
constructed member
Bisexual
characteristic Partisan signifies
s of being membership PRO
Affiliation
male or in a group ANTI
female that defines a
Socio- It refers to High- income world view
economic the category Class and a core set
Classes of persons of common
who have Middle-
income Class values
more or less Political One who DDS.
the same Low-income remains loyal Marcos
Loyalist
socio- class especially to Loyalist,
economic a political Dilawan
privilege cause
Exception It refers to Personality
ality the state of Communicatio
being n
Intellectually Intellect
gifted and/ or
having
Physical
Appearance
Significance of Studying
physically or
mentally
Culture,
challenge Society, and Politics
- Studying culture helps us to
Political identity understand our past, our
- Is always associated with group place in the world, and our
affiliation and describes the ways in future, thereby allowing us
which being a member of a certain to make better decisions in
group might express specific the present. It helps us to
political opinions and attitude . understand ourselves because
Like cultural variation and social we all come from a common
difference, Various factors constitute source.
 Understanding Culture,
Society and Politics
- We can all attributed a the events around us, here are some
person’s social behavior by of the significance of studying
the society where they politics..
belong.
- Society is an organized structure 1. Politics helps you know your
that we humans made to create rights. Studying politics has
synergy (accomplish things allowed us to see
that no individual can do). It beyond our initial belief that we
provides a safer environment have no real say in running our
than since most of us will not country. In
survive much less thrive in the 1987 Constitution Article III or the
such a harsh environment. Bill of Rights, section 4 says it all. It
Since we can say that society has genuinely educated us on a
fundamental part of our society. It
is critical to human life, we
has helped
need institutions to ensure our
us understand that if we engage in
communities work.
political processes, using the
- Studying society is significant
pressure
because it provides a system of
points built into the system, every
stratification, and means of
individual can change the world.
social participation. It
encourages you to think
2. Politics clarify what you
sociologically. (stimulate believe. Studying the things we
sociological imagination) An have reviewed has
example is when everybody allowed us to discover our own
thinks joining the call for political beliefs and see in much
protest is correct even though greater detail
you haven't seen or known the benefits and disadvantages
why such a thing happened. of the vast array of political
- Studying society will also ideologies present
provide you with the skills to today. Being able to express what
craft critical questions about you believe accurately and concisely
taken-for-granted communities. is
extremely useful, and forces you to
Government and Politics is a
look at yourself!
fantastic A-Level that has shown us
just how high an influence Politics
1. Politics is a living, breathing
has on us and has broken the
subject.
illusion that we are disconnected
In Politics, textbooks go out of date
from it.
the day they are published. Why?
Aside from the enormous benefits
Because the political landscape
that this course brings in
changes every day, with new
understanding
examples continually appearing in
the media. Picking which examples
to use in your answers to essay
 Understanding Culture,
Society and Politics
questions is as exciting as something while the government
that has happened on the day you organizes the nation with the
are taking your A-Level exams can use of laws.
appear in your response! - Thus far, I have mentioned
society, culture, and
4. Politics helps you to government but not politics.
understand our nation's parties. That is because politics is for
After just one term of the subject, we the community, a subset of
have learned about democracy and government. Politics aim to
our idealize models of governing
rights, ideologies, party policies, the the people and resources of
Constitution, and government society for security and well-
branches. With the knowledge being
gained from the classroom, we have
been able to watch events unfold So how do culture, society and politics are
worldwide, have seen our leaders' interrelated?
reactions to these events, and
understand these reactions as Let us remember that culture influences the
demonstrations of what we have daily state of society and its direction of
learned. And lastly, politics prepares development. At the same time, politics
you for adult life. determines the nature and form of culture
- Politics opens up student’s and has the function of transforming it.
curiosity as they age, with the Therefore, politics has a decisive role in
vote giving us the ability to deciding which direction the culture is going
change our nation and allow to develop. Culture is the basis for shaping
the principles we hold dear to social normalcy and development.
thrive. With this in mind, it - Politics only fundamentally changes
could easily mean that this foundation, while culture reflects
its reality and internality. It has
- Government and Politics is the nurtured human social characters, such
most applicable subject on as nationality, people's general
offer at any senior high school. personality characteristics and
It is a subject that students customs, and habits. However, culture
should be encouraged to take and politics are influencing and
due to nothing less than the interacting with each other. While
way it prepares you for politics determines culture, culture
entering the adult world. also subtly influences politics.
- For that end, culture and - Culture affects society because culture
government are the leading shapes the human nature of people in
institutions that keep our the community, casts people's world
society together. Culture outlook, outlook on life, and values;
preserves the wisdom in the social customs and ethical morality
traditions and practices we gradually formed in the process of
inherit from our ancestors cultural influence.
 Understanding Culture,
Society and Politics
- "Culture is the values, beliefs, and Political Science, and
concepts shared by members of
society. These values, ideas, and Sociology
attitudes are formed mainly through
the environment, religion, and the You are proud of your province may it be from
adoption of child-rearing practices, the archipelago of Luzon, the Visayas and of
religious practices, education systems, course Mindanao. This constitute your cultural
media, and the accidental historical background as well as the norms and
factors that passed down from their values it represents. Basically,
peers. Anthropology
- "The impact of culture on society is in
is the study of human, human behavior
all aspects, from the formulation and
and society of the past and the present
implementation of policies and laws;
as well. Meanwhile, if you appreciate people
the formation of social ideologies and
who sports tattoo and have a genuine
customs, the status of interpersonal
concern for the poor and helpless people then
relationships, while the smaller ones
it has something to do with
involve the shaping of individual
personalities and the establishment of Sociology
ideological concepts, behavioral which focuses on social problems and
performance and so on. functioning of society. On the other hand,
- Generally, a culture will affect the being a socially responsible citizen requires
status, direction, and speed of a less talent but guts and love our country above
society's activities. When culture anything else.
succeeds in shaping society's customs, Political Science
then the customs and habits of this
society will educate and influence says it all for it deals with the analysis of
people's ideas, behaviors, and political activity and behavior.
personalities; therefore, there will be - Culture is the subject of
such things as Tocqueville. The idea anthropology, society is for
that as greater social justice is sociology, while politics is for
achieved, there may be more intense political science. These are the
opposition to even smaller social disciplines under social science. The
injustices than before. This very goal of these disciplines is to
phenomenon was said to have prepare people for active and
occurred. responsible civic engagement through
- The impact of culture on the path of the development of critical thought.
social evolution is crucial to reducing Exposure to these areas of discipline
poverty and injustice throughout the necessarily exposes you to the
world. It is also a critical factor in following: social diversity and
foreign policy. inequality, self-reflective knowledge
and practice, appreciation of
Rationale for complexity, and advocacy for social
Studying Anthropology, change and order.
- Anthropology is the study of humans
and their society in the past and
 Understanding Culture,
Society and Politics
present. Dealing with what makes us The Goals of Political Science
human, anthropology delves in objects
and materials we have created, our 1. Be immersed in current affairs.
interconnectedness and adaptability 2. Build an understanding on the
with environment, our lifestyle, our local, national, and international
modes of communication, and our politics.
understanding of the world around us. 3. Learn how political activities are
organized in and out of our
The Goals of Anthropology country.
4. Provide substantially critical and
1. Describe and analyze the scientific contribution to
biological evolution of government and society.
mankind.
2. Describe and assess the On the other hand, Sociology is
cultural development of our the study of human social
species. relationships and
3. Describe, explain, and analyze institutions. These social sciences
the present-day human discipline mainly focuses on society
cultural similarities and —its functions,
differences. its members, and its diversity.
4. Describe and explain human Specifically, sociology tackles the
biological diversity today. basic unit of the
society—the family; the functionality
and relevance of state as an
important human
Political Science is a social institution; social issues on religion,
science discipline that deals with crime, race, social class; and the
systems of stability and
government, and the analysis of instability of societies.
political activities and political
behavior. Primarily, it helps people The Goals of Sociology
gain an understanding on “who gets
what, when they get it, and how they 1. Understand ourselves better
get it.” Political science helps us 2. Build a better understanding
understand politics, political of mankind
institutions and behavior, public 3. Help with decision-making,
policy, and philosophical concepts, both our own and that of
such as 14 justice, equality, fairness, larger organizations.
and liberty; and on how the said 4. Gather systematic information
subject matters affect economy, from which to make a
public and private life, law, and decision.
public services. 5. Provide insights into what is
going on in a situation, and
present alternatives.
 Understanding Culture,
Society and Politics
Culture and while nanay is called ermat. Likewise, we can
say language is continually evolving
Society as throughout a progressing society.

Anthropological 2. Values
Concept come in a second in the components of
society. It is set of ideas people share
Anthropological Concepts about what is good, bad, desirable,
undesirable. These are usually very
So interestingly society is the first general, abstract, cut across variations
concept. Society is a human created in situations. Take the example of Filipino
organization or system of Hospitality according to other foreigners or
interrelationships that connects tourist visiting our country, in one commercial
individuals in a common culture . All the a tourist was called “anak” by a local villager
products of human interaction, the and eagerly asked another local villager the
experience of living with others meaning and was astonished to hear the
around us. Humans create their translation “my son.”
interactions and once created the
products of those interactions have 3. Norms
the ability or power to act back upon
humans to determine or constrain are behavioral rules or standards for
action. Often, we experience society social interaction. These often derive from
(humanly created the organization as values but also contradict values, and serve
something apart from the individuals as both guides and criticisms for individual
and interactions that create it. behavior. Norms establish expectations that
shape interaction. Some of the norms that
Filipinos practice are; showing respect when
Three Components of talking with elders using po at opo,
Society pagmamano, by placing the hand of the elder
into your forehead. There are also negative
1. Language norms that are being practice like spiting on
the ground, calling someone you don’t know
Language- it is a system of verbal “hoy.”
symbols through which humans
communicate ideas, feelings, The second of the concept is culture. We may
experiences. Through language these can be define culture as sets of traditions, rules,
accumulated and transmitted across symbols that shape and are enacted as feelings,
generations. Language is not only a tool, or a thoughts, and behaviors of groups of people.
means of expression, but it also structures and Referring primarily to learned behavior as
shapes our experiences of the world and what distinct from that which is given by nature or
we see around us. Filipino are very creative in biology, culture has been used to designate
inventing a different term for different things everything that is humanly produced (habits,
for example tatay is usual called erpat beliefs, arts, and artifacts) and passed from one
generation to another. In this formulation,
culture is distinguished from nature and
 Understanding Culture,
Society and Politics
distinguishes one society from another. Here how each member should behave. Society is
are some quotes defining culture “Culture. the overall bigger picture while culture is part
Those patterns of meaning that any group or of society. Culture changing constantly
society uses to interpret and evaluate itself and remember during the 80’s up to the 90’s the
its situation.” Bella et. al. Habits of the Heart word tatay became a slang as in erpat while
1985:333. nanay is ermat. Can you tell how are father
and mother are called today? Like in the early
“Culture. A system of durably part of our discussion we mentioned that being
acquired schemes of perception, a Filipino is really a unique experience let us
thought and action, engendered by know why. What makes the Filipino culture
objective conditions but tending to stands out. Let us enumerate!
persist even after an alteration of
those conditions.” Bourdieu, The Filipinos are very resilient. In
Inheritors. 1979. times of calamities and catastrophes,
I guess you were asking what is the Filipinos
relationship between culture and always manage to rise above the
society? challenge. Instead of wallowing, they
manage to pick
Culture is based off of historical themselves up and smile.
precedence while society is an
agreement on how each member Filipinos take pride in their
should behave. Society is the overall families. In our country, It’s family
bigger picture while culture is part first. So whether you are of the
of society. Culture changing immediate family or you belong to
constantly remember during the 80’s the third or fourth generation, you
up to the 90’s the word tatay are treated as a family member.
became a slang as in erpat while Sometimes, even the closest of
nanay is ermat. Can you tell how are friends are considered family too.
father and mother are called today?
Like in the early part of our Filipinos are very religious. In all
discussion we mentioned that being corners of a Filipino house, you can
a Filipino is really a unique find brazen images of crosses and
experience let us know why. What other religious paraphernalia. They
makes the Filipino culture stands out. go to church every Sunday, or
Let us enumerate! sometimes even twice or three times
a week.
“Culture. A system of durably acquired
schemes of perception, thought and action, Filipinos are very respectful.
engendered by objective conditions but From the moment they are born into
tending to persist even after an alteration of this world, they are already taught
those conditions.” Bourdieu, The Inheritors. how to be respectful by using these
1979. I guess you were asking what is the simple catchphrases-po and opo,
relationship between culture and society? words that end sentences when
Culture is based off of historical precedence addressing elders.
while society is an agreement on
 Understanding Culture,
Society and Politics
Filipinos helps one another. More
popularly known as bayanihan,
Filipinos
help one another-without expecting
anything in return-so that their tasks
and
responsibilities become much easier.
It is sometimes called, “community
spirit.”

These are just some of the

uniqueness of the Filipino culture.
Our culture speaks of our colorful
history from the time of our
ancestors and conquerors: the
Spaniards, the Americans. We have
also enumerated the concept of
Anthropology namely society and
culture itself.

As mentioned, what makes the

Filipino culture stand out? It is not
only from being respectful with our
elderly people nor being resilient in
times of calamities. Filipinos stands
out because of our care as a human
being.

Remember society and culture are

interrelated and form part of our vast
history as Filipinos. And under
Anthropology as concepts it explains
that the origin of culture diversity is
through mankind hence the
concentration a human
perspective throughout society.
Understanding Culture,
Society and Politics