Defining Culture, Society, and Politics

A. CULTURE

It is the sum of an individual’s way of life, ranging from the food he or she eats, the clothes he or she wears. and the house where he or she lives.

A.1. TYPES OF CULTURE

Material and nonmaterial aspects of culture are linked, and physical objects often symbolize cultural ideas.

A.1.1. MATERIAL CULTURE

It refers to the objects or belongings of a group of people.

A.1.2. NONMATERIAL CULTURE

In contrast, consists of the ideas, attitudes, and beliefs of a society.

B. SOCIETY

It is an organized group or groups of people who share a common territory, language, and culture, and who act together for collective survival and wellbeing.

C. POLITICS

It refers to the “theory, art, and practice of government.” It is a relatively stable cluster of statuses, general norms, and role behavior, which are involved in the acquisition and exercise of power and decision-making.

D. SOCIAL DIFFERENCES

It refers socially significant distinctions on the basis of which a society is structured, and inequality is organized.

D.1. EXAMPLES OF SOCIAL DIFFERENCES

These differences include those associated with gender, sexual orientation, age, social class, religion, and ability.

D.1.1 GENDER

It is the socially constructed characteristics of being male or female. It serves as a guide on how males and females think and act about themselves; the way they interact with others; and how they perform their various roles in society.

D.1.2 SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS

It refers to the category of persons who have more or less the same socioeconomic privileges in a society. These privileges are due to inherited wealth and/or the occupational status of the breadwinner in the household.

D.1.3 ETHNICITY

It is the expression of the set of cultural ideas held by a distinct ethnic or indigenous group. An ethnic group refers to people who collectively and publicly identify themselves as distinct and unique based on distinguishable cultural features that set them apart from others, such as language, shared ancestry, common origin, customs, and traditions.

D.1.4 RELIGION

It is an organized system of ideas about the spiritual sphere or the supernatural, along with associated ceremonial or ritualistic practices by which people try to interpret and/or influence aspects of the universe otherwise beyond human control.

D.1.5 EXCEPTIONALITY

It is the state of being intellectually gifted and/or having physically or mentally challenged conditions concerning personality/behavior, communication, intellect, physical appearance, or a combination of more than one specific exceptionality or disability.

D.1.6 NATIONALITY

It is the legal relationship that binds a person and a country.