Lesson 28 Responding to Social, Cultural, and Political Change

Levelling Off
Join a group of five students. Observe the society where you belong. List down three issues that
you think are primary concerns in your society.

1.
2.
3.

Then, imagine that you are a democrat in an ancient Athenian government. How will you present these
issues to your fellow democrats (your groupmates)? What will be your suggestions to solve these issues?

Role-play an Athenian assembly tackling the issues that each of the members of your group has listed. IF
possible, video-record your assembly. If video-recording is not available, jot down your suggested
solutions instead.

Taking Off

In ancient Athens, democracy had been the primary response of the government to address the
society's issues. People were free to express and enact their opinions and suggestions for the
betterment of their society. Today, although many states are practicing democracy, the participatory
response of people to contemporary issues is not as easy as in the ancient times, especially in the
Philippines. Because of a large population, the government cannot attend to everyone's pleas or
grievances.

For democracy to function, estate must first have an informed citizenry, responsive government,
empowered media, and open and inclusive governing processes (LGSP and USAID, 2008). These are
want the Filipino society lacks. For example, many Filipinos are aware that the country is in dispute with
china and other Southeast Asian in the case of Spratly. Some of them express support to the Philippine
government by posting shout-outs, statues, and tweets like "Amin ang Spratlys!" and "Boycott China!”
on the Internet. However, what most of these Filipinos do not know is that the Philippines are claiming
only a number of islands in the Spratly, not the entire Spratly per se. They also do not fully understand
what the boycotting of Chinese products will do to the Philippine industry, since China is the biggest
source of imports of the Philippines. Also, 1.5% of the Philippine population comes from the Chinese
ethnicities (Hodder, 2000), technically making this group an indelible part of the Filipino society. In this
case, the lack of information in significant social issues causes even more jeopardy to the members of
the two societies.

It is necessary that as a student, you do not become subjected to social ignorance and rather
become an active and informed member of the society where you belong.
 Fortunately, as societies develop, the ways in dealing social, cultural, and political issues to do so
too. The following are some examples.

Citizen Engagement and Participatory Governance

Dr. Ronaldo Pante (2014) of De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, in his dissertation about
participatory democracy, implied that a government's effective application of democracy
through efficient delivery services is not enough. If people do not participate and engage
themselves in the government's advocacies, democracy cannot function.

The essence of democracy exists in having the people become part of the governance.
The many problems of the society require the mutual cooperation of the government members
and of the people. Members shall employ effective participation and active engagement to
achieve the common goals of the society. Governance is not only for government officials;
participation in public affairs is a right of every Filipino that one needs to exercise.

Pante also emphasized the people's involvement in governance connotes the transfer of
power and influence to communities. With this, diversity is better acknowledged and put into
consideration in making decisions. Generally, he believed that involvement is a requirement of
modern democracy.

Today, many local communities and carriage citizen engagement and participatory
governance. Simple community-level advocacies such as Tapat Ko, Linis ko and Basura Mo,
Ibulsa Mo are sample programs that engage citizens' participation which ultimately lead them
to effective environmental control in their locality. Similar to these programs is Brigada
Eskwela, a preschool year tradition to clean and fix school amenities and preparation for the
annual start of classes. This is participated in by school officials, students, parents, and other
concerned groups and individuals.

Nongovernment organizations also play a role in community development. They

encourage people to participate in local projects to improve the quality of their lives (Nikkhah,
2010).

Strict implementation of local laws can also encourage civilians to engage actively in
governance. The Anti-littering Code of Marikina, Ordinance 060-62 (Firecracker Ban) of Davao
City, Total Plastic Bag Ban Act of 2011(implemented in 15 cities in Metro Manila and in Sta.
Rosa City, Laguna) proved that with the proper administration of the officials and the full
cooperation of the citizens, the attainment of common goals is possible.
 However, the complete engagement of people to social advocacies was tough feat for
these localities. People tended to complain at first, but the unwavering determination and the
strict implementation, they eventually learned to adhere to the laws. Filipino scholar Ana
Khristina Salanguit-Puatu (2011) said that the impact of the local government leadership varies
on how the local leaders influence the dynamics between the stakeholders and overall the
direction of the community's agenda.

Aside from people's initial stubbornness, there are still a number of challenges that
inhibit participatory governance. Local Government Support Program (LGSP) in Indonesia,
under United States for International Development (USAID), enumerated some of these
challenges which have become factors in the slow deepening of citizen engagement in
Indonesia and which can also be true in the Philippines. Among those identified are corruption,
mutual distrust, and slow bureaucratic reform.

Pante mused that a widely accepted project helped mobilize resources which would
benefit every individual and group in the community. He concluded-

Empowerment at the local level can bridged toward empowerment at a higher level.
When people become confident in their ability to change local policies or solve local
impediments, they may feel empowered to discuss challenges. Empowerment in the
local level of basic services can lead to engagement in more political processes.

Indeed, if the people of the state start to think in a national perspective, the effects of citizen
engagement and participation may be felt by the whole nation.

Exercise 69
Research about successful programs, ordinances, or laws in the country. List five of them on the
following table, and describe how their implementation became effective and how the people
reacted.

Successful Social Program Description

1.

2.
 3.

4.

5.

Social Movements
In 2011, more than 500 villagers in the eastern Zhejiang province in China demonstrated
outside a solar panel factory, complaining about the improper disposal of industrial waste into
the rivers. Several NGO's advocating environmental protection supported this demonstration
and used the momentum to push for legal reforms in the preservation of the environment.

These demonstration and support are examples of the social movement. When a group
organizes an appeal or plea for matters that it believes are of primary concern, such as a rally
for education, this group is exhibiting social movement.

Generally, social movements are large groups of individuals or collective entities which
target specific social or political issues. These are collective and endeavors to promote or resist
change in the society of which it forms a part (Bottomore, 1979). Heywood (1997), on the other
hand, cites them as collective bodies distinguished by a high level of commitment and political
activism. Social movements may be radical in their political goals and means or may be
reformist or less radical.

Aiming for political, economic or social change may be done in many different ways,
such as peaceful assembly, protest, riot, and more. Some groups, such as party lists, lobby in
the Congress to pass significant policies that aim to promote the general welfare of a particular
sector or the society per se. Even terrorist groups rooted to social dilemmas and grievances are
claimed to be examples of social movements (Leheny, 2005).

Social movements have different types.

1. Transformative- This social movement aims to transform society (e.g., groups that
advocate the national ban on plastic use, same-sex marriage, etc.)
2. Reformative- This has more limited goals than transformative movements and seeks mere
rectification of social injustices (e.g., organizations that promote increase of minimum
wage, curb oil price hike, etc.)

3. Redemptive- Its primary motive is to rescue people from previous mistakes in life. (e.g.,
rehabilitative groups, etc.)

4. Alternative- Considered as the least threatening movement, it only intends to cause a

change in individuals and not the whole system.

To become effective, a social movement must be organized and able to present its goals clearly
to the public or to the group to whom it is appealing. The absence of organization in a social
movement may mean any of the following:

1. It lacks regular members, office, and administrative staff.

2. The people involved act in more diffused manners and are very spontaneous.
3. It may be leaderless.

Successful social movements may establish preconditions for changes of policy or regime by
bringing into question the legitimacy of the existing political system, which creates a different
climate of opinions and alternatives (Bottomore, 1979). Social movements emerged when
democratic space is open to them, and are thus a modern reality. This can be considered as
citizen engagement which requires mutual cooperation and understanding. If a movement uses
radical tactics in promoting its goals, chances are that the government people do not fully heed
the calls of its citizens.

French historian Alexis de Tocqueville mused, under the context of 19th century America,
that the middle class had become a social movement in the sense that it was framed as both a
social class and a movement. When the working class had gained confidence and consciousness
of itself as a political force, thereby being able to influence policies, then it became a movement
in general.

Social movement can also be explained from the perspective of collective behavior. People
tend to engage in social movements when there are "strains" in the social system. American
professor Neil Smelser (1962) said that if there is rapid or overwhelming social transformation,
the side effects in the society are certain. The general population might experience uncertainty,
confusion, and disorientation amid social change. These strains may create tensions which
might lead to crisis behavior. Smelser suggested that in the time of social instability, isolated
and less informed people will be susceptible to participate in extreme radical movements or
actions.

Smelser enumerated six conditions which may cause a situation to lead to mass action.

1. Structural conduciveness- If there is an opportunity for change or little regulation, active

groups will likely initiate changes. However, in a fascist or non-democratic government, change
does not easily happen.

2. Structural strain- If there are some tensions, oppositions, and conflict of interest the system
will be tested.

3. Generalized beliefs - The belief and expectations of the people is basic to social stability or
instability; thus, when social movements break, there is an emergence of new ideology.

4. Precipitating factors- An immediate cause or crucial event can cause social imbalance

5. Coordinated group- This is a coordinated organization with leadership, resources, and

structures, fueled by social pleas and grievances.

6. Development of a social movement influenced by the operation of social control- A social

control mechanism is activated in order to prevent troubles most likely to be created by the
discontented masses. The natural tendency of political leadership then is to impose stricter
rules to maintain order. More constraints will likely produce a more radical reaction from the
affected population.

In the Philippines, social movements started to emerge at the point of Spanish

colonization. Rajah Soliman and Lakan Dula may be some of the first social movement leaders
in Filipino history. More movements continue to sprout with time and as more dissatisfaction in
the leading structure surfaces. From Francisco Dagohoy to Andres Bonifacio, to HukBaLaHap, to
the different parties involved in the abolishment of Martial Law, social movements are proven
to ignite the spark in a peeved society. When social movements become successful, they
change history.

Exercise 70
Have the class divided into three groups.

Each group will research about a local social movement in your community (except terrorist
groups). Describe the movement, and identify its leaders and participants. Conduct an
interview with its representative, if possible.

In your research, make sure to answer the following questions.

1. How did the movement emerge?

2. Is the movement radical or reformist? What are its ways of expressing its goals?

3. How did its resource help or hinder the movements’ development?

4. Is it connected to other social movements? What are these social movements?

In a creative manner, present your research in class.

Social Networking
With the rapid technological development in terms of communication, mobile devices
become readily available and its ownership has been democratized. According to International
Telecommunication Union (ITU), the number of Internet users has increased from 400 million in
2002 to 3.2 billion in 2015-2.1 billion of which have active social media accounts (Revesencio,
2015). The widespread access to internet and the development of various applications and
media are clear indicators of human hyperconnectivity.

Today, the popularity of social media is an instrumental way to be engaged in the

society and participate in the governance, especially in the Philippines, or the "most social
country" according to Opera software in 2015. Out of 100 million Filipinos, 44.2 million are
active internet users, 40 million of which are active social media users; 114.6 million listed
mobile connections, 14% larger than the national population (We are Social, 2012); and less
than 10 million landline users (CIA, 2011).

In fact, GlobalWebIndex listed Philippines as one of the leading countries with the most
active social media users, 2nd largest in the Southeast Asia and the 6th largest in Asia.

The large number of Filipinos digitally connected is instrumental in citizen engagement

and participatory governance. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has helped
raise the awareness of people to be involved in the happenings in the society. Social media, to
be specific, enable citizens to share information, coordinate, and engage in social issues more
effectively.

Aside from the efficient dissemination of information, ICT has also transformed how the
Philippine government works. In 2 000, the e-Commerce Act has been passed to call for
government institutions to make their services available online. Because of this, most
membership applications can now be done over the internet. For instance, passport
appointment and PAGIBIG membership have been easier through online application. Important
notices are posted on the governments’ websites. Through the use of ICTs, government services
have become faster and more accessible to the masses.

Below is the list of executive government websites in the Philippines.

Office of the President http://www.president.gov.ph/

Office of the Vice-President http://www.ovp.gov.ph/

Housing and Urban Development Coordinating http://www.hudcc.gov.ph/default.aspx

Council

Department of Agrarian Reform http://dar.gov.ph/

Department of Agriculture http://www.da.gov.ph/

Department of Budget and Management http://www.dbm.gov.ph/

Department of Education http://www.deped.gov.ph/

Department of Energy http://www.doe.gov.ph/

Department of Environment and Natural https://denr.gov.ph/

Resources

Department of Finance http://www.dof.gov.ph/

Department of Foreign Affairs http://www.dfa.gov.ph/

Department of Health http://www.doh.gov.ph/

Department of Interior and Local Government http://www.dilg.gov.ph/

Department of Justice http://www.doj.gov.ph/

Department of Labor and Employment http://www.dole.gov.ph/

Department of National Defense http://www.dnd.gov.ph/

Department of Public Works and Highways http://www.dpwh.gov.ph/

Department of Science and Technology http://www.dost.gov.ph/

Department of Social Welfare and http://www.dswd.gov.ph/

Development

Department of Tourism http://www.tourism

.gov.ph/pages/default.aspx
Department of Trade and Industry http://www.dti.gov.ph/dti/index.php

Department of Transportation and http://www.dotc.gov.ph/

Communications

Commission on Higher Education http://www.ched.gov.ph/

Commission on Filipino Overseas http://wwwcfo.gov.ph/

Governance Commission for GOCC’s http://wwwgcg.gov.ph/

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority http://www.mmda.gov.ph/

Mindanao Development Authority http://www.minda.gov.ph/

National Anti-Poverty Commission http://maps .napc.gov.ph/drupal/

National Commission on Muslim Filipinos http://www.ncmf.gov.ph/

National Economic and Development http://www.neda.gov.ph/

Authority

National Security Council http://www.nsc.gov.ph/

Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace http://opapp.gov.ph/

Process

Presidential Communications Development http://pcdspo.gov.ph/

and Strategic Planning Office

Presidential Communications Operations http://www.pcoo.gov.ph/

Office

Presidential Legislative Liaison Office http://pllo.gov.ph/

Presidential Management Staff http://www.pms.gov.ph/

Technical Education and Skills Development http://www.tesda.gov.ph/

Authority

Source: Official Gazette

Aside from their official websites, several government institutions also utilize social
media and other means to propagate their advocacies.

Department of Tourism (DOT), for one, uses Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter to
advertise the country to tourists, foreign and local alike. It posts striking images and videos
every day to keep its subscribes updated in the latest happenings in the country. Keeping its
motto “It’s more fun in the Philippines" alive, DOT released another website bearing the
campaign name (www.itsmorefuninthephilippines.com) which aims to enthrall the user fully to
visit the different tourist spots of the country.

DOT has also released TVCs and print advertisements which have been shown in the
international TV channels such as CNN, Asian Food Channel, BBC, Fox Sports, EuroNews, and
EuroSport in countries like USA, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, and in some
parts of Europe. The print ads have also appeared in German publications, in UK Sunday Times
Travel, in Action Dive (Southeast Asia), and in out-of-home advertisements in selected Korean
subway stations.

To engage the citizens, Filipinos can also participate in the campaign by making their
own campaign ads. The mechanics are available on the website of the DOT.

Exercise 71
Try to create your own “It’s more fun in the Philippines” campaign ad.

Go to https://www.tourism.gov.ph/Downloadable%20files/Its_More_Fun_logo_Guidlines.pdf.
Follow the guidelines stated.

Share your ad on your social media account/s.

The utilization of ICT also speeds up the mobilization of disaster response. Through
improved telephone systems and wide internet access, Filipinos affected by calamities can
reach out to authorities or to their loved ones more easily than decades ago. Through
sensational news, the awareness of non-affected citizens increases and some sympathize by
giving donations.

These are just some of the benefits social networking has done to engage citizens to
become active members of the society. Together with improved knowledge, forms of social
organizations and corporation, globalization, ICT application in social functions can affect
transformations in governance (Alampay and Cabotaje, 2013). However, as Tourism Secretary
Ramon Jimenez Jr., said in propagating DOT advocacies, the Filipinos themselves are the only
ones who can sustain the essence of their campaigns.

All in all, social networking is just a means for a Filipino to respond and solve social,
political, and cultural changes in the contemporary times.

Exercise 72
With the group that you had in Levelling Off, try to actualize the suggested solutions for the
community issues that you have tackled in your assembly.

Create a plan of action for your suggestions. Thoroughly describe every step. Once in action,
document the events with either pictures or videos.