The Institutional Status Quo: G7

Components of Functioning

If a societal institution exists, then we can assert and assume certain things:

  1. It is functioning in some basic way to meet some basic needs of the public.
  2. It embodies principles that are broadly approved in society.
  3. It is far from perfect: so improvements, large and small, are desired by many.
  4. Vested interests oppose improvement if they would suffer adverse effects.

Change in an institution's functioning has two components:

  • altering certain values and beliefs i.e. the institution itself functioning as a socio-associational entity.
  • incorporating these as changes in policies, regulations, and choices by governments, organisations and individuals i.e. processes that occur within components of the institution. These are dealt with elsewhere, especially in the Politics and Work-in-Organisations Satellites.

The present section is focused on the first component. Any attempt to alter or to block alterations to the institution requires work in the world of a society's values and beliefs. That work has been specified earlier as occurring in 7 styles that sit in a hierarchy—Q4 in the PH'5 Q-expansion.

The status quo as understood in society can be viewed as a result of that work.

Activism

The status quo with all its imperfections nevertheless represents a foundation and hence provides a state that requires shaping and a potential for improvement.

Unless members of society are willing to be active in pursuit of improvements, then nothing will change. The primary interest of most individuals is their own self-interest and this leads to inertia and apathy in regard to institutional values unless and until failure impinges personally.

At the same time the institution is defined by an existing system of interlocking of vested interests for whom the status quo is beneficial to a greater or lesser degree. Insofar as they seek change, it is not driven by the public interest.

Those members of society who are active in pursuit of improvements and willing to take on vested interests are the only hope for constructive evolution. Such activists commonly form their own reforming and campaigning organisations which become part of the institution.

Whereas duties can be assigned or allocated in a Q2-Organisation, activist work appears to be something that must be self-assigned i.e. embraced.

Originally posted: 18-Mar-2024