Depending on the size of the community or population be it in a metropolitan area or a town area, only then can we determine or form opinions of how much power a particular institution has. For example, in a small community, a church would have more power in not only convincing more percentage of the population to conform to the beliefs of that church but also in running activities and volunteer work which citizens of that area would participate in. Same goes for the government as it is more likely that more people participate in government activities or go to government run events as there are less activities to pick from.
In a metropolitan or big city area such as New York City or Massachusetts, there would be many more churches, government activities and also more non-governmental organizations. The percentage of people adhering to those formal institutions lifestyle or recognizing that power over them is slimmer.
Having said that, delegated powers and reserved powers have a big impact and influence and power in our society. States power include schools which determine the education of the younger generation. Though parents are widely acknowledged as the teachers and role models for children, due to peer pressure and school children as friends, lots of children get influenced by friends. Therefore the environment and discipline in schools are elements that are vital and have a lot of power over the society.
Formal institutions also have the power to block or edit movies and sites that are deemed inappropriate. Though these institutions are more active in Asian societies such as China and Malaysia, this still occurs in more liberal societies particularly in ratings for movies in cinemas. Though American societies are far more liberal and allow religion-based channels which differ from countries such as Malaysia where religion is considered a sensitive issue, lots of shows are regulated.
Other such examples include organizations that regulate medicine, food and prices for goods such as sugar, salt, oil and others in some countries. Singapore also has a policy in which the government can delegate more money towards families that have more than one child and offer benefits for those families. On the flip side, China maintains its strict one-child policy.
Depending on the amount of power agreed by the people in a democracy to offer the government or how much power a dictator takes in the social contract theory, this will determine the amount of power that a formal institution has over the people. Though the power may be by law in terms of the government or a given power in the case of the Vatican and preachers, all power is envied, respected and coveted and this power is used carefully so as not to abuse it.
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