This document provides an introduction to politics and political organizations. It begins by defining politics broadly as activities and affairs related to government, public issues, compromise, and power. It then describes four types of political organizations that have existed in human societies: bands, tribes, chiefdoms, and states. Bands are small groups without formal leadership, while tribes add leadership roles. Chiefdoms have a hereditary chief and social hierarchy develops. Finally, states have large populations with centralized authority and distinct social classes. The document concludes by defining the four key elements that comprise a state: a people, a territory, a government, and sovereignty.
This document provides an introduction to politics and political organizations. It begins by defining politics broadly as activities and affairs related to government, public issues, compromise, and power. It then describes four types of political organizations that have existed in human societies: bands, tribes, chiefdoms, and states. Bands are small groups without formal leadership, while tribes add leadership roles. Chiefdoms have a hereditary chief and social hierarchy develops. Finally, states have large populations with centralized authority and distinct social classes. The document concludes by defining the four key elements that comprise a state: a people, a territory, a government, and sovereignty.
This document provides an introduction to politics and political organizations. It begins by defining politics broadly as activities and affairs related to government, public issues, compromise, and power. It then describes four types of political organizations that have existed in human societies: bands, tribes, chiefdoms, and states. Bands are small groups without formal leadership, while tribes add leadership roles. Chiefdoms have a hereditary chief and social hierarchy develops. Finally, states have large populations with centralized authority and distinct social classes. The document concludes by defining the four key elements that comprise a state: a people, a territory, a government, and sovereignty.
This document provides an introduction to politics and political organizations. It begins by defining politics broadly as activities and affairs related to government, public issues, compromise, and power. It then describes four types of political organizations that have existed in human societies: bands, tribes, chiefdoms, and states. Bands are small groups without formal leadership, while tribes add leadership roles. Chiefdoms have a hereditary chief and social hierarchy develops. Finally, states have large populations with centralized authority and distinct social classes. The document concludes by defining the four key elements that comprise a state: a people, a territory, a government, and sovereignty.
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786; Human Person 442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: Grade 11/12 Module 6 - UCSP Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion
POLITICS AND STATE
Can you imagine life without leaders or governments? You may wonder if that scenario is even possible. In this module, you will learn how other societies organize their political lives that may be distinct from what you are aware of. This module is divided into four (4) main parts. The first part discusses the types of political organizations created by humans. The second part discusses the types of authority and legitimacy present in human societies that allow for the rise of leaders. The last part discusses the difference between state and nation, origin of state, inherent powers of state, and the four (4) elements of state (people, territory, government and sovereignty). Technically, it pertains on how a state is defined and differentiated from other related concepts, how is it created or originated and how it manifests its duties and responsibilities to the citizen. Hence, an activity will follow at the very last part of this module.
Learning Objectives: A. analyze political structures; B. differentiate the types of political organizations and authority and legitimacy; C. distinguish between a state and a nation; D. define state by identifying its four elements including the forms, manifestations and qualifications of each element; and E. illustrate how the three inherent powers of the state are exercised and applied.
WHAT IS POLITICS?
Before we learn about political organizations and other concepts related to politics, we need to define politics itself. In its broadest sense, politics refers to the activities and affairs of the society related to the government, public affairs, compromise, consensus, and power. To understand what this means, let’s take a look at each term and how it constitutes to politics. Page 2 of 7 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600 Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786; Human Person 442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: Grade 11/12 Module 6 - UCSP Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion
Politics concerns the structure, function, process, and
practice of the government; how leaders perform their vital roles in the society.
Politics is the conduct and management of public interest;
relates to anything that concerns people in general (such as laws, welfare and safety).
Politics attempts to resolve conflict through discussion,
compromise, bargaining, and consensus, wherein people arrive at a binding decision.
Politics involves the use of authority and influence to
advance interest, perform functions in the state, or distribute resources.
When we talk about the affairs of the society, we usually think of the government. It is a system or body of people that serves public interest such as the maintenance of peace and order and the promotion of general welfare (this includes food and healthcare). Government officials perform their functions to assure that these affairs are managed. But in managing these things, conflicts may arise due to our differences. Conflicts may disrupt the smooth flow of society so addressing it is a necessity. In dealing with conflicts, we engage in making compromises and consensus. We negotiate and bargain until we come up with a decision that addresses the needs of opposing parties. In managing these concerns, power is important. We need the means to achieve our goals. These come in the form of material resources, knowledge, skills, connections, influence, etc. Page 3 of 7 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600 Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786; Human Person 442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: Grade 11/12 Module 6 - UCSP Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion
POLITICAL ORGANIZATION
People organize themselves in a group to participate in politics and this is what we call as a political organization. However, political organizations change through time as our societies evolve. Anthropologist Elvan Service identified different types of political organization that can be seen in different societies across time.
• Bands – very small, lacks formal leadership,
politically independent, connected by family ties, egalitarian • Tribes – more complex, has leadership roles (headmen) but still egalitarian • Chiefdoms – has a fulltime leadership role (chief) which is inherited • States – large population, centralized leadership with hierarchy
A. Bands It is the least complex form of political organization, as it has neither a rigid form of governance nor a structured form of leadership. A band typically consists of 20-50 individuals who are usually related to one another by virtue of kinship. Furthermore, this society is chiefly is chiefly based on foraging, which is also known as hunting and gathering.
B. Tribes It is a political organization that consist of segmentary lineages. This type of kinship relation is marked by loyalty per family cluster or segment. Tribes are less mobile than bands, as their form of economic subsistence requires a degree of settlement. Most tribes are horticulture or pastoral society.
C. Chiefdoms The ancient Mayans were known for complex and elaborate political system that incorporated religion, kinship, and politics. The Mayan political organization is an example of a chiefdom, as it embodied its characteristics that include a political leader with an advisory council, a leader who exercises power that is based on legitimacy, and the existence of social stratification.
D. States State level political systems first appeared in societies with large-scale intensive agriculture. They began as chiefdoms and then evolved into more centralized, authoritarian kingdoms when their populations grew into tens of thousands of people. While chiefdoms are societies in which everyone is ranked relative to the chief, states are socially stratified into largely distinct classes in terms of wealth, power, and prestige. Page 4 of 7 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600 Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786; Human Person 442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: Grade 11/12 Module 6 - UCSP Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion
WHAT IS A STATE?
It is a political/legal group; refers to a community of persons more or less numerous,
permanently occupying a definite portion of territory, having a government of their own and enjoying freedom from external control. *A state has four elements. The absence of any of the following elements renders a group to be disqualified as a state.
1. People Also known as population or inhabitants. There is no definite number of people set for a state. However, constitutional scholars state that the people should have the following characteristics for it to become a state. a. Enough number to perform the functions of the state. b. Self-perpetuating; it should have the capacity to procreate to sustain its existence.
2. Territory Refers to the portion of earth occupied and inhabited by the people. It should be permanent and specific in its dimension. Hence, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) was created to define the rights and responsibilities of countries over their territories. a. Aerial Domain – Refers to air space above the land and the waters. b. Terrestrial Domain – Refers to fixed portion of the land over which the jurisdiction of the state extends. c. Fluvial and Maritime Domain – Refers to bodies of water within, between, and around the lands.
3. Government A mechanism of the state, through which the will of the people is expressed, formulated, and carried out; it is the “working arm” of the state.
Page 5 of 7 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600 Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786; Human Person 442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: Grade 11/12 Module 6 - UCSP Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion
4. Sovereignty The ability of the state to self-rule or to govern itself and is free from any foreign control. a. Internal Sovereignty (Domestic) – ability to enforce rules and policies within its territory or jurisdiction. b. External Sovereignty (International) – also known as independence, it is the freedom of the state from external control.
THEORIES ON THE ORIGIN OF THE STATE
1. Divine Origin Theory – The oldest theory of the state; believes that the state was God’s creation and the leaders of the state (such as the kings) were appointed by God. It is the basis of the divine rights of the monarchs. 2. Force Theory – Asserts that the state was a product of continuous warfare and conquest; the conquerors become the leaders while the conquered become the subordinates. 3. Evolution Theory – Believes that the state came from families that group into bigger groups of people such as tribes and community. 4. Social Contract Theory – Stipulates that the state is create as a result of man’s entering into a contract which lessens his freedom and privileges and in return will provide the man of what he needs.
INHERENT POWERS OF STATE
The power of promoting the public welfare by restraining and regulating the use of both liberty and property of all the people. It is considered to be the most all-encompassing of the three powers. Police power can be exercised only by the government and is justified by the philosophy of these maxims:
a. Salus populi suprema lex – the welfare of the people is the supreme law. b. Sic utere ut alienum non laedas – use your property in such a manner as not to injure that of another.
The power of taking property, upon payment of just compensation, for
conversion of such property to public use or purpose. It may be exercised by the government and some private persons or corporations who are authorized to exercise functions of public character. The power of eminent domain can be exercised under the following conditions:
a. Presence of private property – the power of eminent domain concerns the things owned by individuals and not by the state. b. Necessity of taking – the taking of the private property must be justified by the purpose of public use or utility. c. Having just compensation – the property taken from its owner must be paid with fair and adequate equivalent. Page 6 of 7 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600 Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786; Human Person 442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: Grade 11/12 Module 6 - UCSP Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion
The power to impose tax on individuals and properties to support the
government. Tax refers to compulsory monetary contribution that will be used for public expenditure. Tax is the lifeblood of the government. Without tax, the government cannot perform its functions. The degree of tax depends on every state. However, taxation has three general features:
a. Uniform Taxation – persons belonging to the same class shall be taxed at the same rate. b. Equitable Taxation – tax burden must be imposed according to the taxpayers’ capacity. c. Progressive Taxation – as the resources of the taxpayer becomes higher, his rates likewise increase.
AUTHORITY Power is a prime ingredient of politics (Roskin et.al., 2012). In political realm, power is exercised in the state where authority is granted on the government. Authority is power recognized as legitimate (legal) which is why the government can enforce obedience without question. It is significant to note, however, that the legitimacy of someone’s power may not be always come from the laws, it can come from other sources.
TYPES OF AUTHORITY 1. Traditional Authority Authority is based on acceptance of and high regard of traditions and customs. This is why religious figures or leaders are respected and obeyed. Monarchies are examples of this type. 2. Rational-legal Authority Authority is based on established law. People obey the leader because they accept his/her power under the law. 3. Charismatic Authority Authority is based on personal characteristics of a leader, whose qualities are considered to be exceptional. 4. Coercive Authority Authority is based on the use of force such as police or military force to demand obedience from the subordinate.
REFERENCES:
• Campanilla, M. & Dannug, R. (2003). Politics, Governance and Government with Philippine Constitution: C & E Publishing, Inc. • Heywood, A. (2002). Politics Second Edition: Palgrave Macmillan • Baleňa, E, .et al. (2016) Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics. Quezon City: Educational Resource Corporation Page 7 of 7
