B2 Paper No.

2
BARNACHEA, John Rey Medino Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics
12-Einstein

Within and Without

Society becomes more capable of collective movement, at the same time that each of its elements has more
freedom of movement. The solidarity resembles that which we observe among the higher animals. Each organ,
in effect, has its special physiognomy, it autonomy. And moreover, the unity of the organism is as great as the
individuation of the parts is more marked. Because of this analogy, we propose to call the solidarity which is
due to the division of labour, organic.
- Emile Durkheim, The Division of Labor in Society

Society has been described, from a structural-functionalist perspective, as a system resembling that of a
living being – composed of smaller parts with individual functions contributing to the mechanism of the whole.
In reality, many an institution has been likened in a similar vein, from simple offices to complex systems of
government. This concept can be likened to Aristotle’s phrase “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”, in
the sense that individual parts are necessary to make something whole work.
From a sociological perspective, society can be defined as a group of people who live in a definable
community and share the same culture. It consists of the people and institutions around us around us, our shared
beliefs, and our cultural ideas. Societies also share a political authority. In relation to this, culture is defined as
ideas and values that change relatively quickly and that may vary widely within a single society, neighborhood,
or even family – in short, shared understandings. Lastly, politics is defined as a means of studying a nation’s or
group’s underlying social norms as values as evidenced through its political structure and practices, or the study
of power dynamics.
These concepts are interrelated in a way that forms the fabric of our everyday life. Culture is innate to
people, thus it is inseparable from society, be it small or large. Specific sub-societies have subcultures, and even
societies that encompass large areas may share values and beliefs. With that being said, culture is also tied with
society in the sense that what culture represents is an element of society. Values, beliefs, norms, and the likes are
both aspects of culture and elements of society. This way, culture shapes the way people of a specific society
respond to varying situations, from their perspectives on certain phenomena, their worldview, and their basis of
morality. Politics is tied with culture through formal norms or written norms, which are commonly known as
laws. The state’s power is evident through their ability to restrict the actions of people, and this can be done
through the creation and implementation of laws. It can also make or break the traditions and beliefs of a society
based on what the state prefers to emphasize. Conversely, culture can also become the basis of the state’s actions,
since shared beliefs may come into play when considering the needs of the people. Simply put, the state can create
norms which alter culture, or it may follow the norms of the current culture. Since society is a network of people,
the relationship between citizen and state can be considered a factor affecting the machinations of the ruling
institution. Active participation is required in a democratic form of government, which means that the people’s
voice will be heard. Technically, the decision-making ability vested upon the people in democracy (through the
form of suffrage and the power to oust members of the state) allows them to become vital cogs in the dynamics
of politics in a certain society. However, these cogs will not turn without political will or action by the state.
Interrelationships among these concepts further support Durkheim’s living being analogy of the state.
Society, culture, and politics may not be parts or organs, as the analogy implies, per se, but they can be likened
to processes linking the parts, which are the social institutions, together. True enough, a living being cannot exist
if the organs work only independently, hence the existence of organ systems and the overlapping of these organ
systems.
Being the main constructs focused upon by social sciences, it is imperative that the different branches of
this field also shed light on the aforementioned constructs. In anthropology, the concepts of society, culture, and
to some extent even politics, are studied in the time frame of the past. It identifies these constructs in the context
of early societies. Sociology focuses on human relationships, therefore it is only appropriate that it deals with
society. However, culture is also involved, since it is eminent in the interactions of people. Institutions that deal
with the preservation of society is also part of sociology, therefore aspects of politics is also studied. Lastly,
political science, as the name implies, deals with the construct of politics. However, as mentioned in earlier
paragraphs, concepts of society and culture are reflected in politics, therefore political science, in a way, also
deals with these two constructs.
What, then, is the relevance of understanding these constructs, if one is not entirely submerged in the field
of social science?
There are situations in which culture, society, and politics need to be understood, even if it is not about
research in social science, or other aspect of it. For example, lawmaking needs a thorough understanding of these
constructs, for the simple reason that laws intend to improve human life. This cannot be achieved without grasping
what it’s like to see things from the perspective of the target of the law. If it is for a certain group of people, then
their subculture must be considered. Another situation is that of scientific research, particularly those involving
introducing innovations to certain ethnic tribes. The innovation, be it in the form of increasing the efficiency of
their work and the likes, needs to remain in line with their culture, for it may not be accepted by the group if it
deviates from what is common to them. The power dynamics in this sub-society must also be recognized, since
those in power will still decide for the people they rule over. In a way, the innovation needs to be approved by
them first.
For us ordinary people, a thorough understanding of these constructs will enable us to be more tolerant
and aware. We recognize other cultures and with this comes respecting it and those people involved. There will
be less conflict that involves clashing of cultures. We also become aware, in the sense that we see things that
happen around us from varying perspectives. This opens the possibility of a more analytical way of dealing with
phenomena, and our opinions regarding the matter will be more objective and logical.
Whether society is like a living organism or not, we still need to be aware of how it works, as well as the
small nuances within it. We are part of a society and various networks of people, therefore it is only appropriate
for us to understand how the very fabric of our people’s interactions and relationships work.

References:
Introduction to sociology. (2014). Houston, TX: OpenStax College, Rice University.