Understanding Culture

Society and Politics

John Nevin I. Oabel

12-Chalcedony-Stem

Levelling off & Reactions

 Lesson 15: Economic Institutions

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 Revival of Manila tram system

A consortium led by Greenergy Holdings Inc. is keen on investing close to $500 million to build
a tram system in the city of Manila along a 10-kilometer stretch of Roxas Boulevard’s service
road, the same route plied by the old street tram in the early 1900s.
 The main-share Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) fell by 0.5 percent
The local stock barometer slipped for the third session in a row on Tuesday, defying the
upswing seen across most regional markets, as initial public offerings sapped out liquidity from
the local market.
 MGen Renewable Energy Inc. (MGreen), part of the Meralco group, has secured P424 million in
equity funding from Manila Electric Co. for investments in various solar power projects that are
now being developed.
 Employees of United Laboratories, Inc. (Unilab) recently got a more convenient way to pay–
whether they are in the office or outside–as the company replaced their RFID card-based
payment system with the latest technologies from PayMaya, the leader in digital financial
services in the Philippines.

The main economic problems of the Philippines are corruption, instability and security issues based on
the research that I have conducted.

Lesson 15: Economic Institutions

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Every individual has to deal with tough decisions and choices in life; so does society.

In my opinion, economic institutions are simple systems that help us in turning the cogs of society.

They act like the tools that provide convenience in certain functions and address the mainstream

Problems that are prevalent in today’s generation.

Most of all, they are human inventions that tend to make errors. They remind me of God’s unwhittling

Omnipotence and His ability to work perfectly without mistakes.

 Lesson 16: Reciprocity, Transfers, and Retributions

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 Capitalism is an economic system where the means of production are owned by private
individuals. "Means of production" refers to resources including money and other forms of
capital. Under a capitalist economy, the economy runs through individuals who own and
operate private companies. Decisions over the use of resources are made by the individual or
individuals who own the company.
 Socialism is an economic system where the means of production, such as money and other
forms of capital, are owned by the state or public. Under a socialist system, everyone works for
wealth that is in turn distributed to everyone. Under capitalism, you work for your own wealth.
A socialist economic system operates on the premise that what is good for one is good for all.
Everyone works for their own good and for the good of everyone else. The government decides
how wealth is distributed among the people.

Under a socialist system, everyone works for wealth that is in turn distributed to everyone.
Under capitalism, you work for your own wealth.

Lesson 16: Reciprocity, Transfers, and Retributions

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The lesson is all about the specific mechanisms that help society in distributing goods and services.

I think that they helped me understand the importance of society and how it affects my life.

All the important ins and outs were explained and the viability of the information was greatly

Appreciated.

They immortalized in my mind the way Reciprocity, Transfers, and Retributions work.
 Lesson 17: Non-State Institutions

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 The external debt is the amount of debt a country owes to foreign or international creditors.
The debtors can be the government, corporations or citizens of that country. The estimated
Philippines foreign debt under the Aquino administration in early 2016 was US$110000.
 The public debt is the total amount of debt a central government or country owes. It is also
known as national debt. The debtors can be the government, corporations or citizens of that
country. The estimated Philippines public debt under the Aquino administration in 2016 was
$ 978000.
 Public debt per person: $1,515.28
 Population: 109,805,464
 Public debt as % of GDP: 45.8%
 Total annual debt change: 8.4%

Lesson 17: Non-State Institutions

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These non-state institutions, to me, seem to be exceptions of the world. They act like the guardians or

I guess watchers that process relevant information from the nations and countries of earth.

They are organizations that help humanity achieve top-caliber society.

These agencies form certain coalitions that supports society from its roots.
 Lesson 18: Education

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 Studying is a process in which we gain knowledge which in turn leads to broadening of our
mindset and the importance of it is that we implement this knowledge in our daily life more
often unknowingly which in common is known as COMMON SENSE.

 We want to be with people who display common sense as it makes our life easier; they share a
common view on what needs to get done, appreciate the needs of the team and will properly
complete a task and meet their deadlines. It can often mean that we need to manage them
more closely and this scuppers their chance of promotion.

 “With intelligence you will understand the reason it is raining, but the common-sense
view is to stay out of the rain or to take an umbrella or raincoat”.

Lesson 18: Education

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“Education is the highest form of enlightenment that a human can achieve.”

This anonymous quote always flies by my mind when I hear discussions about education.

To me, as a student, education is right now the most important goal that I am trying to attain.

This process of learning is what builds up the character of the child and for me, this phase or aspect

Remains until I get old. The thirst for knowledge is unquenchable.

 Lesson 19: Religion and Belief Systems

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 Britannica: Religion, human beings’ relation to that which they regard as holy, sacred, absolute,
spiritual, divine, or worthy of especial reverence.
Wikipedia: Religion is a social-cultural system of designated behaviors and practices, morals,
worldviews, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics, or organizations, that relates humanity
to supernatural, transcendental, or spiritual elements.
ScienceDaily: Religion is an organized collection of beliefs, cultural systems, and world views
that relate humanity to an order of existence.
 My sources say that religion was formed to provide humanity with a purpose in existence.

Many religions have narratives, symbols, and sacred histories that are intended to explain the
meaning of life and/or to explain the origin of life or the Universe.
From their beliefs about the cosmos and human nature, people derive morality, ethics, religious
laws or a preferred lifestyle.
Many religions may have organized behaviors, clergy, a definition of what constitutes adherence
or membership, holy places, and scriptures.

Lesson 19: Religion and Belief Systems

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This social institution is the most important of them all. It gives that certain identity a specific purpose

In life. Religion maintains the sanity of any sane person and this lesson proved to me that it is the

Most important. Despite all these, I believe that everyone has the right to believe in that they think

Is right. I do not condemn them.

 Lesson 20: Health

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 The message that seems to be depicted is that kid should be aware of their surrounding and that
they should be conscious of their health.

 Better health is central to human happiness and well-being. It also makes an important
contribution to economic progress, as healthy populations live longer, are more productive, and
save more. Many factors influence health status and a country's ability to provide quality health
services for its people.

Lesson 20: Health

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Health is the state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing… the enjoyment of its highest

attainable standard is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race,

religion, political belief, economic or social condition.

This statement from the world health organization reflects my opinion on this matter.

Health is for everyone and everyone only.

Our body is a blessing from God and we must take care of it every step of the way.
 Lesson 21: Stratification

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 The message seems to convey that society is, without a doubt, constructed in layers. This is a
given in any form of civilization.

 My society in the Philippines also shows a stratified or ‘layered’ system.

 The pyramid would be almost exactly the same except for the modernization of clothes and the
addition of power and influence within the layer of money.

 I would belong is the class of performers and entertainers

Lesson 21: Stratification

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Ever since I learned of the caste system in India, I’ve began to hate the stratification of society.

But I’ve grown my social aspect significantly and have come to accept that it is a necessary part of our

world. This lesson further helped me in discovering the intricacies of the layers of society and has

opened my mind within this topic.

I learned a lot about equity and equality and became more aware of the ominously growing problems

Of our generation when it comes to stratification.

 Lesson 22: Social Mobility

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 This image shows a pyramid with the stratifications containing the same things from lesson 21
but with people locked in their layers and with people climbing up or down their layers using
ladders.

 The differences mean that the population within a society are sometimes mobile and immobile.
some people can move up and down the ladder of power while some stay on their own place.

Lesson 22: Social Mobility

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This topic is the most clichéd type of plot in Filipino afternoon dramas. The stereotypical story of the

Poor guy and rich girl or whatever creative twist they add is almost becoming repetitively boring but

Continues to flourish throughout the times.

Social mobility elaborates on the ability of people to change their social status and I consider it

Common knowledge thus I think that this lesson is irrelevant.

 Lesson 23: Social Change

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 Think about it: in 1998, cell phones were still a rarity, people could only dream of self-driving
cars, and for many, the internet was only just catching on.
Twenty years later, it's obvious how much the world has changed.

 The global population has exploded. And more and more people are living in cities. Buildings are
reaching previously unimaginable heights. The internet has changed the way we do …
everything. Social media has taken over. Phones are a virtual necessity, and almost everyone has
one. Climate change is becoming a grim reality. And numerous social issues are finding their way
into the spotlight.

Lesson 23: Social Change

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Social change is an interesting lesson. It compounds upon the myriad of characteristics of social change

which in the first place is quite an unfathomable thing.

This changes, which refer to modifications and innovations and the like, show the progress of our

Society. It interests me a lot how a collective group of people can change quite significantly in a

Short period of time given the circumstances.

 Lesson 24: Theories of Social Change

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 My dad says that he never stayed at home when he had free time while my mother complained
that she always had stuff to do at the house when she was a child.

 Now kids never leave their homes but they also don’t help with housework. (ehem Nevin)

 The change is because of the convenience of technology.

 In a way they were beneficial but too much of a good thing is a bad thing.

Lesson 24: Theories of Social Change

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These theories, to be honest, quite bore me. I am not that interested in learning about how the people

Of the past thought of what the world might or can be in the future.

These theories however are very useful when you are currently studying a social relations class or

Something like that. They also serve as great guides when someone is researching about current

Relevant topics and need models, theories and literature about society.

In conclusion, I think that this lesson is very hard for me to understand but very important to be

Studied on by other more capable people.

 Lesson 25: Social Contradictions and Tensions

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 To whine

 A debate strategy

 When a society reaches a certain point in economic wealth and status where its citizens have
nothing better to do then disapprove or object something not of their own business.

Lesson 25: Social Contradictions and Tensions

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I am still updating myself on the current issue in Hong Kong. I cannot imagine that one billion out of the

seven billion people comprising the population of the country are protesting.

Social contradictions and tensions are inevitable in a society. Every human being has a different

cognitive way of thinking and therefore, have a different set of beliefs, and in turn contradicts other

people.

This is unavoidable but the way the government or the two parties handle this tension can

affect each other greatly. The best way is in a peaceful discussion or debate where both speakers are

completely respectful of each other.

 Lesson 26: Climate Change

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 I was shocked and devastated with emotions.

 I think there is only humanity as a whole because they are the reason why storms are
becoming prevalent.

 I think it was because of the global warming.

 I learned that the world is very delicate and yet destructive and that I must always reach
out to God whether in times of need or not.

 The society has learned to be aware and to work with each other with the most efficient
ways and with the best possible factors.

Lesson 26: Climate Change

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Climate change is one of the most destructive issues caused by humanity. The painful challenges that it

Presents affect entire nations and countries physiologically, emotionally and mentally.

However, I believe that the spirituality of society is what makes them stubbornly strong and

Helps them persevere any problem.

With God, anything is possible.

 Lesson 27: Migration

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 The data shows the amount of people going abroad for work.

 I think that this is a problem that must be admitted or focused on by the government.
It provides a gigantic amount of Brain Drain.

 By the way, Brain drain is when an organization or community is doing poorly enough
that its smartest people leave for better opportunities elsewhere. This is common in
business and other organizations that perpetuate a common goal or mission and once
purged it typically accelerates the demise of the organization.

Lesson 27: Migration

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I first learned of migration from animals. The doves that fly in a v-formation or the elephants that

Move from water hole to water hole.

This aspect of life is an increasing trend in the Philippines but I agree with the scientists that exclaims

The Philippines should avoid migrating to other countries so that our overall average capabilities

Remain inside our country.

 Lesson 28: Responding to Social, Cultural, and Political Change

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 As answered in lesson 15, The main economic problems of the Philippines are
corruption, instability and security issues based on the research that I have conducted.

 Truthfully, I’ll present the problems in such a way where my audience would at least be
touched with what I’ve saide. Although I know that these problems aren’t erasable
completely, I’ll guilt-trip them into helping me address each and every one of it.

Lesson 28: Responding to Social, Cultural, and Political Change

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It is quite hard for people to adapt to change.

This lesson greatly improves my knowledge on adapting to different kinds of changes.

Although I consider myself very consistent and maintains a stagnant personality, this lesson helped me

Understand how to respond properly to alteration.