Every society has social institutions. These institutions cover wider pera iphery from social organization to customs unique to a setting. Often dependent on each other, social institutions align sets of interrelated normatic elements and expected role functioning. Thus, this reflective research paper attempts to define social institutions especially economic, religious, and political institutions of American society, applaud on their relevance to social change.
Social institutions are a prerequisite for functithe onality of the society. Examples of these institutions in America include education, religion, political and economic institutions. For instance, religion as a social institution fosters collective conscience and solidarity as members are united by a strong bond of belonging. Factually, majorithe ty of the American citizens are Christians controlled by the foundation of moral suasion, also present in the constitution.
The founders of the United States of America laid this nation on the pillar of a supernatural power ‘in God we trust’ as printed in the currency. The political institution of America operates on democracy in free and fair elections, and the entrusted leaders given the mandate to make collective decisions on behalf of the citizens.
Democratic political institution safeguards unity and togetherness in this society. For American society to operate a sustainable capitalism, the capitalism economic institution factors in educatthe ion system, supplythe of labor, skills, and optimal production as the engines for sustainable development (John, 2010). Generally, these institutions are dependent and maintain relevant social communication networks
Basic education in America is affordable to all. Values, skills, and knowledge acquire in this social institution is an easier route for breaking the poverty cycle; racism and class disparities. To supply the capitalism market with skilled labor, education institution can be revitalized and oriented towards market oriented professions and skills (John, 2010). Economic institutions determine production, distribution, consumption, and resource allocation.
A properly managed economic system spurs economic vitalization and structural change, much needed in America (Gelderblom, 2003). Though the capitalism system is private oriented, economic empowerment of the population is achievable via policy planning and monitoring activities of these private producers as a necessity to enable the government to afford and distribute the scarce pubic good equally. Economic liberation determines the quality of life members of a society experiences (John, 2010).
As the capitalist institution resonates on profit optimization, the democratically elected government is expected to draw sustainable production and consumption bundles affordable to every household. It is the responsibility if this political system to ensure that basic necessities are not only accessible but also of quality standards. Thus, the political institution is mandated with the responsibility of offering governance and collective decision making on behalf of the society at large.
Through comprehensive democratization and equal representation, the political institution empowers the people to monitor usethe and allocation of public funds triggering sustainable growth (Gelderblom, 2003).
At indthe ividual level, I can participate in voluntary educational programs to enlighten and mobilize the American Latino population, especially the minority groups to push for equal representation in political and economic institutions. Being a democratic society, the constitution of America has space for such activities and organization.
Conclusively, social institutions offer the comfort of unity and collective responsibility for the members. Most of America’s social institutions are responsive, efficient, and interdependence as long as they are properly managed and operate within the norms of society. These institutions can be modeled to be agents of change on society.
References
Gelderblom, D. (2003). Social institutions: Introduction to Sociology. London: Oxford University Press.
John Macionis. (2010). Society: The Basics. Ontario: Pearson Education Canada.