UCSP_MODULE-7_STATE-AND-NON-STATE-INSTITUTIONS

State and Non-State Institutions

Definitions and Roles

  • State: A community of persons occupying a specific territory with its own government, rendering habitual obedience without outside control.

Four Elements of the State

Population

  • No fixed criteria for population size; must be within reasonable limits based on territory, resources, and production needs.

  • Human Political Institution: Essential for the state’s function.

Territory

  • Fixed and bounded portion of the earth's surface.

  • Inhabitants must conserve and protect resources.

  • Ability to defend against invaders may justify the use of force.

Government

  • Body where individuals express desires through representatives.

  • Responsible for enacting laws and maintaining authority.

  • Vital Element: Essential for state function and societal order.

Sovereignty

  • Supreme power to govern without external interference.

Two Dimensions of Sovereignty

Internal Sovereignty

  • State's power to regulate activities of all people and institutions within its territory.

  • Institutions must act according to state laws.

External Sovereignty

  • Complete independence from external control; freedom to formulate independent foreign policies.

Theories of the Origin of the State

Divine Theory

  • The state is created by God, governed by divinely appointed rulers.

  • Obedience to rulers is seen as a religious duty.

Social Contract Theory

  • People establish the state for mutual benefit, originating from a state of nature with no organized society.

Force Theory

  • Established through force, where the strong dominate the weak.

  • Tribal leaders arose from conquest and maintained control over defined territories.

Functions of the State

  • Maintains law, order, and stability; resolves disputes through the legal system.

  • Provides common defense; ensures public welfare beyond individual means.

  • Implements public health measures and mass education; serves dominant groups’ interests.

Non-State Institutions

Definitions

  • Institutions not owned or controlled by the government; can be for profit or non-profit.

Forms of Non-State Institutions

Banks and Corporations

  • Banks: Financial institutions that deal with deposits and loans; play a vital intermediary role in the financial system.

  • Corporations: Legal entities authorized to act as a single entity; categorized by law and often differentiated by profit orientation.

Cooperatives and Trade Unions

  • Cooperatives: Owned and operated by a group for mutual benefit, with governance based on one-member one-vote.

  • Trade Unions: Organizations mainly comprised of workers aimed to advocate for workers' rights; example: Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP).

Transnational Advocacy Groups

  • Represent various categories and support multiple issues; engage local movements, NGOs, and scholars to influence public policy.

Development Agencies

  • Influential non-state institutions providing development assistance; link national to international entities.

  • UN Agencies:

    • UNESCO: Promotes peace through education and culture; focuses on inclusive education.

    • UNDP: Aims to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, and build national resilience.

    • UNICEF: Focuses on child rights and welfare, providing humanitarian support in various countries.

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

  • Not-for-profit and independent from governmental control; funded through donations or volunteers.

Functions of Non-State Institutions

  • Act as safe deposit places and contribute to economic development.

  • Legal entities established under law for profit generation.