Cultural, Social, and Political Institutions

Social and Political Structures:

Political Organizations (49)
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you should
be able to:
discuss how political organizations
operate as an entity which
maintains societal functions,
recognize the differences among
different types of political
organizations, and
analyze social and political
structures.
 In a classroom setting, what are the functions
of the elected class officers?
Do you believe that their existence is needed
for the maintenance of order in the class? (2-16-
2017)

Learn about it!

Social and Political Structures
Social structure, in a general sense,
refers to patterned institutions or groups
in society where people work, act, and live
together.
Examples: Social class and social
institutions like the government and legal
community, LGBT community, and
professional community
 The political structure, on the other
hand, is used to call on the institutions
and political entity organized in
agreement with regulations, laws, and
norms of society or of the entity itself. A
society based on political structure may
follow totalitarianism, authoritarianism,
or democracy.
The Need for Political Organizations
The need for social order, public affairs
and functions, and conflict resolution are
perennial or inevitable. In this premise,
the foundation goals of political
organizations are required.
Political organizations are entities in a
society formed for administrative or
political functions. They refer to the
scheme or design of power and authority
in society. Political organizations define
the scope and limits of power.
 Special interests of a particular group
may also be addressed through
political organizations such as:
Labor unions collaborate or negotiate with
the company administration to raise employee
concerns regarding salary increase, benefits,
and labor rights.
Political parties are formed for staging
interest in the government seat.
Advocacy and interest groups are
designed for campaigning the rights, privileges,
and concerns of a particular group of people in
society. Such group of people may not be
represented in government
Types of Political Organization
four recognized types of political
organizations:
1. Band
The band is the most traditional and
smallest type of political
organization. Familial ties connect a
band. Politically independent, a band
usually does not recognize the formal
government. There are no written
codes or laws. There is no organized
group of leaders.
2. Tribes
Tribes are traditional societies
comprised of people or group of
people connected by social,
religious, ancestral, or cultural ties.
Bigger than a band, tribes are
usually settled in one place and do
not rely on hunting and gathering
but on agriculture for subsistence.
Just like bands, tribes do not observe
formal governments.
3. Chiefdom
Chiefdom, unlike tribal societies, is a
permanent and formal government.
Chiefdoms are formal political
organizations in a traditional society
based on kinship or the leadership of
selected families.
4. State
A state is a formal political organization
in a modern or industrial society regarded
as an organized community under a
government.
Explore!
Why does society need an authority
figure?
What type of leadership or leaders should
people have to achieve maximum success
in maintaining peace and order?
What do you think?
Imagine the world without political
organizations. What do you see?
What can we expect from people or
from a society which works and
operates without the supervision of a
political organization?
Key points
Social structure refers to patterned
institutions or groups in society where
people work, act, and live together.
Political structure is used to call the
institutions and political entities
organized in accordance with
regulations, laws, and norms of society
or of the entities themselves.
Political organizations are entities in
a society formed for administrative or
political functions.