MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING COMPETENCY:

Explain how human relations are transformed by social systems. PPT11/12-IIg-7.3

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

• Define what a social system is and how to analyze it;

• Discuss how human relations are transformed by social systems; and
• Evaluate the transformation of human relationships by social systems and
how societies transform individual beings.

THE SOCIAL CONTRACT THEORY

During the Enlightenment, social philosophers pondered on the natural laws that
govern human societies, and in their discussions, several philosophers put forth their
theories regarding the formation of societies.

Enlightenment philosophers such as Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean

Jacques Rousseau were among the most prominent social theorists who tackled the
origins of human society. To fully understand the true character of society, they
imagined humans as living in a so called “nature state,” removed from modernity
and civilization. Examining humans in their natural state afforded these philosophers
an opportunity to discuss the origins of society and relate them to other concepts
such as man’s intrinsic nature and liberty. Various views emerged to explain the
developments that brought about the emergence of human society.

For Thomas Hobbes, people in their natural states are governed by their desires
and these often lead to conflict with their fellowmen. Society, therefore, is the means
by which people seek to control their natural tendencies and impose order.
Individuals who establish societies enter into a “social contract” – an agreement
where individuals sacrifice an amount of their freedom and submit to a higher
authority. In this way, society is able to function and meet the needs of many,
ensuring the survival of humanity.

John Locke proposed his own ideas on social contract with a different assumption.
Unlike Hobbes, Locke considered persons in their natural states as more cooperative
and reasonable, and that society is formed through the consent of the individuals that
organized it. This concept is known as the consent of the governed. Locke’s social
contract is a covenant among individuals to cooperate and share the burden of
upholding the welfare of society. Also, the authority established to rub society should
reflect the ideals of the people who organized it. Should this authority fail to uphold
its obligation or live up to the ideals of the people, it will be discarded and replaced
with a new one.

Jean Jacques Rousseau’s ideas on the social contract led him to advocate the
concept of the “general will”. Rousseau believed that even if the people are the ones
who organized society and established an authority or government, in extreme
cases, the government is able to impose its will on the people. This is based on the
assumption that the people have empowered the government to act on their behalf,
and that is considered to be the best judge of what is most beneficial for society.

More recent views on the social contract give emphasis to individual decisionmaking
in society. John Rawls redefined the social contract and explained that human
beings approach social cooperation in a rational manner in order to meet their
individual self-interest. Rawls introduced a version of the natural state which he
called the original position to explain social formation. He imagined humans as
having a “veil of ignorance,” or no knowledge of one’s own characteristics such as
gender, race, or social status. In this state, humans would naturally seek a just and
fair society in an effort to look out for their own interest. David Gauthier described
people’s self-interest as a significant factor in building and maintaining societies.
People choose to cooperate since the actions of individuals in meeting their
individual needs also further the interests of other members of society.

Although there are variations on the social contract theory, perhaps one common
feature they all have is the fact that the different individuals enter into a kind of
agreement with one another to form a society. Individual members put aside their
self-interest in order to create a community where they may live in harmony with
others. It is important to note that in a society, one is not compromised for the sake
of the other; the individual is not in any way violated for the sake of the community
and vice versa. Only a society which endures the development of the individual and
his or her community may be considered a proper and humanizing society.

What Is a Social System?

A social system is an organized or patterned set of relationships among individuals

and groups of society. It consists of a group of individual actors interacting with each
other in a situation that has at least a physical or environmental aspect.
These actors are motivated in terms of tendency toward “optimization of gratification”
and whose relations to their situations, including to each other, is defined and
mediated in terms of system of culturally structured and shared symbols.

There are four factors that make up a social system and the relationships involved in
forming it. First, a social system is composed of two or more individuals, which are
called actors. Second, the actors interact with one another physically or in an
environment. Third, the interaction is goal-directed, which means that they are
interacting because they have a goal to achieve. Fourth, the relationship is mediated
by shared symbols.

Hence, social organizations are social systems because they are made up of
individuals interacting for a common goal, where each has a part or function.
Families, organizations, societies, communities, and cultures are recognized as
social systems.

Social systems are regarded as open systems. That is, the individuals in a social
system have regular interactions with their environing systems (or the external
environment). The environing systems include cultural and personality systems,
behavioral and other systems of the organism, and the physical environment.

Analysis of Different Social Systems

The social systems theory is a theoretical scheme which articulates or describes a
field of system, in relation to another which is equally a part of the same broader
fundamental system. According to the American sociologist Talcott Parsons, social
systems analysis must involve three logically independent but also interdependent
bases or axes of variability. These basis are the following:
1. A distinction between the structural and the functional
2. A distinction between the two dynamic processes of maintaining system
equilibrium and structural change in the system
3. The hierarchy of relations of control

Structural and Functional Mode of Analysis

The concept structure focuses on the patterns of the system, which may be
regarded as independent of the lower-amplitude and shorter time-range fluctuations
in the relationship of the system to its external situation. It thus designates the
features of the system which can, in certain strategic respects, be treated as
constants over certain ranges of variation in the behavior of other significant
elements of the theoretical problem.

Let us apply this concept in Philippine society. Since its creation, the Philippine
Constitution has remained the basis of governance. In this constitution, all of these
remain constant: division between the legislative and the executive branches of the
government; the independent judiciary; the separation of church and state; and the
basic rights of personal liberty, assembly, and property.

The functional reference related to the problem of mediation between two

fundamental sets of exigencies: (1) those imposed by the relative constancy or
“givenness” of a structure and (2) those imposed by the givenness of the environing
situation external to the system. Thus, its interest is to analyze how activities are
coordinated so that these activities do not affect one another in a negative way and
instead contribute to the system. The motivations for social systems to function well
should also be adequate.

What Parsons meant by environing situations here is not the physical environment
but the behavior and personalities of the individuals within the social system and the
relevant cultural systems.

How does society enable me to become a better person?

Although society greatly influences the development of the self, the human person
still has freedom to choose not to be fully defined by his or her background or
society. We have the freedom to rise above our circumstances and make ourselves
into something different or better. For instance, a child who grew up in the slums or
squatters area can exert effort, and eventually become successful and achieve a
better life. A person who comes from a family of doctors may feel that he or she has
a different calling in life and thus may choose not to pursue a career in medicine.
Some Filipinos have even decided to renounce their citizenship to become citizens of
other countries. As much as we are influenced by our surroundings, our physical
limits, and our society, our personality still provides us an opportunity to transcend
and define ourselves on our own terms.

Society recognizes the capability of the persons to develop, and provide its
members with opportunities to make themselves better. Effective and efficient
public service, education, and the maintenance of peace and order are some of the
ways society ensures that we are able to have productive lives and realize our
potential. Through its various institutions, society endeavors to develop well-
adjusted and productive members who can make significant contributions to it. Social
systems are in place to ensure the welfare of the person in society through the
various institutions and groups, society strives to recognize and promote their
individual dignity of persons and guarantees that they are able to live harmoniously
with others.

A part from choosing not to be fully defined by society, persons can also
undertake to contribute to society through their decisions and actions. One
important way a person can contribute to social change is by enacting his or her
social responsibilities as well. A son or daughter is expected to respect and obey his
or her parents and elders and help each member of the family. A parent is expected
to provide for the needs of the family and raise his or her children well. A student is
expected to study well and participate fully in school activities. A citizen is expected
to support democratic values and cooperate with members of the community and
other institutions to uphold the welfare of the community and uphold the common
good. You embody all these roles and therefore should do your utmost to uphold the
responsibilities that go with them. All members of society are expected to do their
share in upholding the values and goals of their respective societies and ensure that
their society continues to be oriented toward what is good and beneficial for all.

An individual’s action can also cause great changes in society. Previously, it was
thought that only “great”, “influential”, or “powerful” individuals can bring about
change in their respective societies. We often equate social change to the actions of
heroes, political figures, and famous personalities. However, the numerous
opportunities provided nowadays by improved technology and access to information
have given ordinary people the means to be sources of social change themselves.
You may have heard of stories that have gone “viral” on the Internet. Many of these
stories come from ordinary citizens who call attention and sometimes prompt the
government and related institutions to take action. Another way that individuals can
bring about social change is by organizing themselves into groups that advocate
certain causes. Organized action is often the best means to bring about changes in
society, and the concerted effort of many groups often bring about a social
movement, which is a large-scale action done by various groups and organizations
in pursuit of a common goal to bring about change.

Are you a member of an organization that upholds a social cause? Have you ever
taken the initiative to call attention to problems in your community? What social
issues are you most passionate about? Do you see yourself making a significant
contribution to society in the future? Taking action to bring about positive changes at
home and in your community is one way that you will be able to fulfil your role as a
productive member of society. In taking action to bring about positive changes in our
society, we are able to fulfil our purpose as human beings who are living and
interacting with our greater community and working toward achieving the greater
good.