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UNDERSTANDING CULTURE,
SOCIETY AND POLITICS
QUARTER 2 – MODULE 4

Government’s Role
and Global
Inequality

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INTRODUCTION (What I Need to Know?)

In the previous module, you have learned the necessity and inevitability of social
stratification in any given society. In this module, you will be introduced to different government
programs and initiatives in addressing social inequalities. Some topics present new information,
while others are review materials which can be added to your prior knowledge. Every learning
series require some responses from you.
If you encounter difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate to ask
help from your teacher. Always bear in mind that you are not alone.
We hope that through this self-learning material, you will experience significant
knowledge and achieve mastery on the most essential learning competencies. Good luck and
enjoy!

(MELC) Most Essential Learning Competency

Explain government programs and initiatives in addressing social inequalities e.g. local,
national, and global.

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

a. identify government’s programs and initiatives in addressing social inequalities;
b. explain government’s programs and initiatives in addressing social inequalities; and
c. appreciate the role of the government in addressing social inequality.

DISCUSSIONS AND ACTIVITIES (What Is It?)

GOVERNMENT’S ROLE AND SOCIAL INEQUALITY

What is SOCIAL INEQUALITY?

Social inequality pertains to the uneven opportunities and rewards accessible to

different position or statuses of people in the society. It refers to the existing gap or
inequalities in the different social institutions and social groups, including the ethnic
minorities and person with disabilities (PWD), gender and global inequalities.
Social inequality is also visible in the other areas of society including:
 Economic (Marx) – Class – institutionalized in the form of property rights
 Symbolic/ Social (Weber) – Power/ Hierarchy – institutionalized in the form of
educational qualifications
 Cultural/ Knowledge (Bourdieu) – Status/ Recognition – institutionalized in the form
of title and nobility.
On the other hand, the existing gap or inequalities in the different social institutions could be
described as follows:
a. Ethnic Minorities
o Suffers from social exclusion or alienating or dividing individuals or a group in a
certain society.
o Race and ethnicity have been the basis of social division in the world.
b. Person with Disabilities (PWD)
o They suffer from social exclusion and discrimination because of their disabilities.
o Absence or lack of PWD friendly facilities in different establishments.
c. Gender Inequality
o Issues on violence against women and children
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 o Gender discrimination among LGBTQI (Malate, 2016)
GLOBAL INEQUALITY

Global inequality refers to the unequal distribution of scarce resources and values across
territories. This may refer to economic differences between countries, as well as medical care
and education differences. This form of inequality can be exemplified in the following
situations:
 Developing (poor, agricultural) vs. Developed countries (industrialized)
 First World (developed, capitalist, industrial countries) vs. Third World (developing)
 Global South (Philippines, struggling countries) vs. Global North (Singapore, US, UK,
Japan) (Malate, 2016)

HUMAN RIGHTS AND GLOBAL INEQUALITY

Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings. No matter what our nationality
is, what color our skin is, what status we have in the society, etc., we are all equal. These
rights are all interrelated, interdependent and indivisible.
Inequality does not exist only in localities and states but also among states. There are
states that are influential, wealthy and powerful. This leads to a situation of global inequality;
where poor has less power and rich is powerful.
The following are the important global inequality facts:
1. In 2018, the richest 26 people owned as much wealth as the 3.8 billion poorest people,
half of humanity lives of less than 5.50 USD per day in 2018.
2. Global wealth worldwide amounts to 361 trillion USD in 2019.
3. There are 47 million millionaires worldwide in 2019.
4. The average wealth per capital amounts to 70,849 USD in 2019.
5. It is estimated that total global wealth increases to 459 trillion USD until 2024.
6. 56% of the worldwide population owns wealth less than 10,000 USD in 2019.
7. Less than 11% of the global population owns more than 100,000 USD in wealth in
2019.
8. The 10% richest people own 84% of overall global wealth in 2019.
9. The richest 1% of people owned around 45% of overall global wealth in 2019. (Dela
Rosa, 2020)

The effects of global inequality are:

1. Health effects – higher rates of sickness and lower life expectancy due to lesser or no
access to clean water and/ or food and shelter;
2. Poverty – cannot pay utility bills and lack sufficient housing;
3. Social tensions – higher rates of incarceration because of parenting problems
decreasing level of trust;
4. Starvation - cannot secure adequate nutrition;
5. Increased probability for conflicts such as homicides, and child conflict;
6. Lack of access to education- lower educational performance;
7. Frustration – higher rate of depression, mental illness, and stress-related diseases, and
teenage births;
8. Bad working conditions;
9. Higher rates of drug use and chemical dependency ;
10. Radical movements; and
11. Migration – higher rates of migration (in relation to employment opportunities). (Delos
Reyes, 2020)

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GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES

Global and social inequality is a big problem that has many severe adverse effects for
poor countries and the people living in those regions. It can be either caused by human
actions or also by natural circumstances. To alter these effects, the Philippine Government has
crafted programs and initiatives, as follows:

A. Laws Protecting Women:

1. Republic Act 11210 - the Expanded Maternity Leave Law extends the previous 60-day
(78 days for caesarian section delivery for women workers in the private sector) paid
maternity leave to 105 days.
2. RA 6725 - Prohibition on Discrimination Against Women
3. RA 9262 - Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004
4. RA 7882 - the act that states the Provision of Assistance to Women Engaging in Micro
and Cottage Business Enterprises, and for other purposes, was approved in February
1995.
5. RA 7877 - Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995
6. RA 8353 - The Anti-Rape Law of 1997
7. RA 8505 - Rape Victim Assistance and Protection Act of 1998
8. RA 9710 - Magna Carta of Women
9. RA 6949 - National Women's Day (https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1063739)

B. Laws Protecting Ethnic Minorities:

1. Republic Act 8371- "Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997"
(https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/committee-elimination-racial-discrimination-
considers-report-philippines)

C. Laws Protecting Persons with Disabilities (PWDs):

1. RA 7277 - An Act Providing for The Rehabilitation, Self-Development and Self-
Reliance of Disabled Person and Their Integration into the Mainstream of Society
and for other Purposes
2. Ratified CRPD
3. Magna Carta for the Disabled
4. Republic Act 9442
5. Republic Act 1179 - An Act to Provide for the Promotion of Vocational Rehabilitation
of the Blind and Other Handicapped Persons and Their Return to Civil Employment
6. Republic Act 1373 -Trust Fund for the Benefit of Disabled Filipino Boxers
7. Republic Act 3562 - An Act to Promote the Education of the Blind in the Philippines
8. Republic Act 4564 - Annual sweepstakes race for the development and expansion
program for the physically disabled
9. Republic Act 5250 - An act establishing a ten-year training program for teachers of
special and exceptional children in the Philippines and authorizing the appropriation
of funds thereof
10. Republic Act 6759 - An Act Declaring August 1st of Each Year as White Cane
Safety Day in the Philippines and for Other Purposes
11. Section 17 of 2007 Republic Act 9433 - An Act Providing for a Magna Carta for
Public Social Workers
12. Republic Act 10070 - An Act Establishing an Institutional Mechanism to Ensure the
Implementation of Programs and Services for Persons with Disabilities in Every
Province, City, and Municipality)
(https://www.ncda.gov.ph/disability-laws/republic-acts/republic-act-7277/)
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 In terms of fiscal policies, the government has the following roles in lessening social
inequality:
 build assets for working families;
 increase minimum wage; and
 invest in education. (Delos Reyes, 2020)

ACTIVITY 1: ACTS OF THE GOVERNMENT

Directions: Match the law provisions in Column A with the republic acts in Column B, write
the letter of the correct answer in your answer sheet.
Column A Column B
1. 10-Year Training Program for Teachers of Special and a. RA 5250
Exceptional Children b. RA 6949
2. Indigenous People’s Rights Acts c. RA 7277
3. Integration of PWDs to Mainstream Society d. RA 7373
4. Magna Carta for Women e. RA 8371
5. National Women’s Day f. RA 9710

ACTIVITY 2: FACT or BLUFF?

Directions: Write FACT in your answer sheet if it is happening, and BLUFF if it is not
happening.
1. The rich and poor have equal opportunities in terms of education.
2. Companies hire employees regardless of what degree or course they have accomplished.
3. Political dynasties are the ruling class in the Philippine government.
4. Ethnic minorities receive fair and equal treatment all around the globe.
5. Women and children are guaranteed of protection against violence.

ACTIVITY 3: SLOGANS ON THE GO!

Directions: React on the following slogan by showing or proving the right and reasonable role
of the government in lessening social inequality. Write your answer in your answer
sheet.

1.
https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/government-quotes
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

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 2.
https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/government-quotes
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Rubrics
CRITERIA DESCRIPTION POINTS
Organization The concept was clearly and creatively conveyed. 5
Content The content was clearly discussed. 5
Presentation The idea was clearly presented based on the work used. 5
TOTAL 15

ASSESSMENT

I. Directions: Write TRUE in your answer sheet if the statement is correct, and FALSE if the
statement is incorrect.
1. Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings.
2. Inequality exists in localities and states, as well as among nations.
3. According to Marx, social inequality institutionalized in the form of title and nobility.
4. The health effects of global inequality bring longer life expectancy to citizens of developing
countries.
5. Poverty and social tensions are effects of global inequality.
6. The aspects of global inequality include health, education and starvation.
7. Social inequality is addressed when good working conditions are eliminated.
8. Women and children suffer from social inequality due to their disability.
9. The government employs fiscal policy to provide funds for wage hike, benefits of workers,
etc.
10. Third world countries suffer from global inequality because they are capitalists.

II. Directions: Explain briefly the following government programs and initiatives.
Use the rubrics below as your guide.

1. Republic Act 11210 - the Expanded Maternity Leave Law

_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Republic Act 8371 - Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997

_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

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 Rubrics
CRITERIA DESCRIPTION POINTS
Organization The concept was clearly and creatively conveyed. 5
Content The content was clearly discussed. 5
TOTAL 10

III. Directions: Make a slogan or personal declaration showing your support and appreciation
on the roles of the government in addressing social inequality. Explain your work in your
answer sheet. Use the rubrics below as your guide.

SLOGAN/ PERSONAL DECLARATION:

_____________________________________________

Explanation: _____________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

RUBRICS FOR SCORING

5 4 3 2 1
Content All Majority of Some of the Many of the No guidelines
guidelines the guidelines guidelines are guidelines are are followed
are followed are followed followed not followed
Grammar 100% 90% Correct 80% Correct 70% Correct 60% Correct
Correct
Originality Exceptionally Very good use Good use of Fair use of No new idea
new idea of new idea new idea new idea

ANSWER KEY FOR ACTIVITIES

Activity 3: Slogans on the Go!

Answers may vary. (Refer to Rubrics)

Activity 2: Fact or Bluff!

1. Bluff
2. Bluff
3. Fact
4. Bluff
5. Bluff

Activity 1: Acts of the Government

1. A
2. E
3. C
4. F
5. B

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REFERENCES

Book
Antonio P. Contreras Ph.D, Arleigh Ross D. Dela Cruz PhD, Dennis S. Erasga, PhD ,Cecile C.
Fabrigon, PhD Cand, Project Director: Ronald B. Mactal, PhD. Understanding Culture,
Society, and Politics. Phoenix Publishing House, 2016.
Arcinas, M. 2016. Understanding Culture, Society and Politics, 1st Ed. Quezon City: Phoenix
Publishing House, Inc.
Durkheim, Emile. The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life: A Study in Religious Sociology
London: G.Allen & Unwin.1915.
Lanuza, G. & Raymundo S. Understanding Culture, Society and Politics, 1st Ed. Manila:
Rex Bookstore, Inc., 2016.
Santarita, Joefe B. and Randy M. Madrid. UNDERSTANDING Culture, Society and Politics.
Quezon City: Vibal Group, Inc., 2016.
Renard, John. The Handy Religion Answer Book Detroit: Visible Ink Press 2002

Online and Other Sources

A policy framework for addressing inequality in developing countries.
file:///C:/Users/Asus/Downloads/HumanityDivided_Ch7_low.pdf
Delos Reyes, Jannet A. Government Programs and Initiatives on Local, National and Global in
Addressing Social Inequalities. Module 8. DepEd-ADM. Masterson Avenue, Upper
Balulang, Zone 1, Cagayan de Oro City, Cagayan de Oro, Lalawigan ng Misamis
Oriental, 2020, 5-7.
Global Inequality.
https://opentextbc.ca/introductiontosociology/chapter/chapter10-global-inequality/
Government’s Role in Addressing Social Inequality.
https://belonging.berkeley.edu/six-policies-reduce-economic-inequality
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_inequality
Malate, Rosaly P. University of Santo Tomas. Learning Module on Social and Political
Stratification. PEAC-FAPE Teacher’s Training, 2016, 110-111, 115, 177-119.

DIVISION QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGEMENT TEAM IN HUMSS

WRITER: ROMINDA S. DE GUZMAN-MEJIA

VALIDATORS:
DR. MARILEX A. TERCIAS
DR. ALBERTO O. RABANG
JEANNEROSE M. ACOSTA
MA. JOCELYN J. SOTONG
VICTOR B. ABAN
DR. EUGENE M. TORALBA
DR. VIRGINIA B. FREGILLANA
ZOSIMA IRENE H. FERNANDEZ
DANILO T. SIBLAG
JAMELIE M. CRISPINO

CONSULTANTS:
DR. DANILO C. SISON DR. TEODORA V. NABOR
DR. CORNELIO R. AQUINO DR. JEROME S. PARAS
DR. MAYBELENE C. BAUTISTA

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ANSWER KEY FOR ASSESSMENT
I. 1. True
2. True
3. False
4. False
5. True
6. True
7. False
8. False
9. True
10. False

II. Answers may vary (Refer to Rubrics)

III. Answers may vary (Refer to Rubrics)