POLITICAL

SELF
GROUP 6
 POLITICAL SELF
● I. Introduction
● IV. Political Culture
● II. Understanding Politics
○ A. Characteristics of Philippine
○ - Why politics is necessary? Culture
1. Strengths of the Filipino Character/
● III. Political Self and Identity/ Man as a Positive Filipino Values
Political Animal 2. Weaknesses of the Filipino Character/
Negative Filipino Values
○ A. Origins of Political Self 3. Factors that Influence the Filipino
Values
○ B. Theories of Political Self

○ B. Establishing a Democratic Culture

○ C. Ideal Citizenship

○ D. Governance
INTRODUCTION
Politics refers to the actions or
activities concerned with achieving
and using power is shared in an
organization and the ways it is
affected by personal relationships
between two people who work
together

Political self
Aristotle stated that

“Man is by nature a
political animal”
 Politics as imbibed by man implies several things

1. Politics is concerned with power.

Power inequalities can be observed within society.
 Politics as imbibed by man implies several things

Politics functions based in a articular

2.

social economic and cultural context

The nature of politics and political system is
dependent on the culture of the state.

● The characteristics of people

● Cultural Traditions and Value Orientations
● Economics
● Education
● Religion
● Other similar institutions shape the political landscape of any
country
 Politics as imbibed by man implies several things

3. The political is also personal.

One’s personal choices reflect his or her personal
politics; both are indistinguishable.

A person is likely to make personal choices and

beliefs that are consistent with his/her personal
politics
 Politics as imbibed by man implies several things

Politics goes hand in hand with

4.

society.
The society consists of people living together in
organized communities with shared laws, traditions
and values

Politics pervades the structure of society, and thus

influences inhabitants in beliefs, ethics, and behavior.
 ACTIVE
CITIZENSHI
P
Active Citizenship is anchored on one’s
cognitive and behavioral engagement to
participate in formal and informal political
activities.
 Different levels of Active Citizenship

1. These particular approaches include participation in

organized movement.

1. Rallies
2. Public Assemblies
3. Mobilizations
4. Demonstrations
 Different levels of Active Citizenship

2. Active Citizenship is a practice of Democracy

The form of government in

which political control is
exercised by all the people,
either directly or through their
elected representatives.
 Different levels of Active Citizenship

3. Active Citizenship is a social construct

It fosters social relatedness and

belongingness.

Advocacies are not only

anchored on personal
standpoints.
 Different levels of Active Citizenship

The most important goal of active citizenship is to install

4.

change and influence society at large

Active citizenship is associated with the
“sense of community”

The sense of community people feel their

geographical and cultural roots also persuades
them to do something for their respective
communities, especially in the context of
community groups considered to be a
minority.
The self is a dynamic
construct that it is shaped by
external forces and personal
forces.
Understanding
Politics
● Kendall (1998) defines politics as a social institution though which power is acquired
and exercised by people and groups.

● Politics is an important part of human development because it promotes ideologies

about democracy, citizenship, human rights, freedom, family, health, and other social
issues.

● Citizenship is the most basic identification with the nation. The term denotes
the membership of a citizen in a political society.

UNDERSTANDING POLITICS
● Stevens, Anglin, and Jussim (2015) cite that in some people politics is a
central component of their identity.

● The political community where people belong offers an opportunity for them
to define themselves and provide opportunities to satisfy their needs for
affiliation.
● The political self organizes one’s beliefs, attitudes, and affiliations and
aids in the processing of politically relevant information.

UNDERSTANDING POLITICS
Why is Politics
Necessary?
• People make decisions that affects all of the, as a group.

• Family • Universities Government

WHY IS POLITICS NECESSARY?

 POLITICAL SELF &
MAN AS A POLITICAL
ANIMALS
Lopez, Atasha Ella E.
POLITICAL SELF
&
IDENTITY
Political Self
- organizes self-relevant information about
politics.

Identity
- the person’s identity of ԝho and ԝhat he or
she is.
According to Aristotle,

“MAN IS A POLITICAL
ANIMALS”
ORIGINS OF POLITICAL
SELF
 ORIGINS OF POLITICAL SELF

1. In the family

- directly and indirectly influence’s political attitudes,

views, and beliefs.
- Aristotle considered the state as a national union of
families.
 ORIGINS OF POLITICAL SELF

2. In the school

- teach moral, spiritual, and political values that helps them to

become patriotic and morally upright citizens.
 ORIGINS OF POLITICAL SELF

3. In the church

- shapes the ideals of citizenship and democracy through their

religious teachings, values, and traditions.
THEORIES OF POLITICAL SELF
1. Social Learning Theory
- a person can acquire learning through observation and
imitation.
2. Cognitive Theory

- mental activities of individuals are

important determinants of behavior.
3. Theory of Symbolic Interaction

- behaviors are the products or communication,

meaning, and symbols.
4. Theory of Political Participation

- defined as citizen’s actions or activities anchored

in politics
POLITICAL
CULTURE
Political culture is the pattern of
individual attitudes and orientation
towards politics among members of
a political system. (Almond &
Verba, 1965).

Political Culture
 Characteristics of
Philippine Culture
 Filipino political culture includes beliefs, feelings,
group-acceptance practices, language, and
paraphernalia shared by groups of Filipinos in
their production, allocation and usage of political
power alongside the interaction with the state
(Montiel, 2000)

Characteristics of Philippine Culture

 1. Dominance of Family Ties or Kinship system.
● In local government units such as the municipality or barangay, big clans dominate the political
arena.

● Political dynasties usually controlled the government. In the Philippines where consanguinity
(blood relations) is given utmost importance, it does not matter even if a political candidate is
inefficient, immortal or corrupt.

● Ritual kinship or the kumpadre system where the sacredness of baptism or sacrament of
marriage is used to get favors is evident in politics. Politicians are called to act as godfathers
and godmothers in marriage for mutual benefits.
● The inaanak (godchild) looks at his or her ninong and ninang (godparents) as possible
connections in political affairs while godparents look at their godchildren as investments to
remain in power.
 2. Euphemism
● Officials and employees in lower positions are not frank or straightforward in
criticizing officials of higher rank. They use parinig or patutsada instead of
confronting the officials to immediately address the problems or issues in their
area.
 3. Utang na Loob
● Filipinos feel obliged to repay immediately or in the future any favor they receive from
another person. They always look for an opportunity to return any favor given to them.
●
● In politics, utang na loob (debt of gratitude) is instrumental in becoming a popular
politician.
● Citizens often disregard the impact of their votes to public interest when they elect
corrupt and incompetent to them the disregard the impact of their votes to public
interest when they elect corrupt and incompetent officials as payment for utang na
loob.

● Filipinos are often heard saying, “Malaki ang utang na loob natin kay Mayor. Kung hindi
dahil sa kanya, wala sana tayong madadanang tulay ngayon.”
4. Sense of over dependency

● Some constituents rely on an elected official or a “patron”

politician for their personal and economic needs. This
culture results in the re-election of incompetent officials
whose means to stay in power is to provide temporary relief
to impoverish Filipino Families.
5. Belief that majority of Politicians are Corrupt
● The term buwaya (crocodile) has been used to describe corruption
politicians in the Philippines signifying their greed for money and
power. “pag may semento, may porsiyento,” “Bigay Ikaw regalo (BIR),”
or “kulang lang ng padulas,” are common phrases usually heard in
government activities and projects. ‘

● The statement “Wala namang pulitikong hindi kurakot” only shows

that public perception towards politics is anchored on the idea that it
is evil for many politicians’ value more the money they can instead of
actually being good public servants.
6. Lack of Political Maturity

● People elect officials based on popularity and

personality and not on performance and platform. It
has been observed in national and local campaign
activities that candidates who can sing, dance and
crack jokes are the ones who become popular
among voters.
Strengths of the Filipino
Character
 1. Pakikipagkapwa-tao

● Pakikipagkapwa-tao is demonstrated in the Filipino’s openness,

helpfulness, and generosity’ in the practice of bayanihan or
mutual assistance; and the famous Filipino hospitality (Licuanan,
1994; Guevara & Gripaldo, 2005)

● Filipinos also possess a genuine love for family. This love is

shown through giving honor and respect to parents and elders,
care for the children, generosity toward kin, and the personal
sacrifices that a Filipino endures for the welfare of the family
(Manauat & Grripaldo, 2005)
 
 2. Family Orientation
● This strong family orientation has given Filipino a
sense of belonging and security. Filipino are also
cheerful and fun-loving.

3. Joy and Humor

● Our various fiestas and social gathering demonstrate
the Filipino Joy and humor.
● We can laugh at those we love and hate, and we can
make jokes about our good or bad fortune. Even in the
most trying times, Filipinos will always find a reason to
smile or laugh.
 4. Flexibility, Adaptability and Creativity
● Our Flexibility, Adaptability and Creativity are reasons may Filipinos
thrive in various parts of the world (Licuanan, 1994).

● Filipinos are also tremendous in adjusting and adapting to any

circumstance. We can improvise and make use of whatever is at
hand to create and produce.

5. Hard work and Industry

● Filipinos also value hard work and industry.
This trait is most noticeable in our willingness
to take risk and work in other country.
 6. Faith and Religiosity
● Filipinos also value faith and religiosity. This can be related to
our bahala na mindset. There is actually a positive side to this
fatalistic trait. For Filipinos the bahala na attitude could serve
as a “Kickstarter” or a “pampalakas loob” to move him or her
into action (Gripaldo, 2005)

7. Ability to survive
● This trait is the reason why Filipinos continues to carry on even through our harsh economic
and social circumstances (Tianco & Gripaldo, 2005; Licuanan, 1994).

● The salawikain or proverb “matutong mamaluktot habang maikli ang kumot” aptly depicts our
survival instinct. We can endure, make do, and get by on so little while looking forward to the
coming of better days.
 WEAKNESSES OF
THE FILIPINO
CHARACTERISTICS
1. Extreme Personalism
- Filipinos function in the world by personally
relating to things, events, and people.

2. Extreme Family Centeredness

- Family is valued above anything else.
3. Lack of Discipline

a. Filipino Time – lack of punctuality

b. Manana Habit – characterized by stalling
on doing tasks instead of doing them
immediately.
c. Ningas Cogon – attitude of being
enthusiastic only at the beginning of an
endeavor.
4. Passivity and Lack of Initiative
• - generally passive and lacking of initiative
- strong reliance on others

5. Colonial Mentality

- giving too much value to foreign products and treats

the local as inferior and low in quality.
6. Lack of Sportsmanship
- attitude of the Filipinos manifested in how they
cannot seem to accept defeat.
7. Kanya-kanya Sydrome

-  Filipinos have a selfish, self-serving attitude that

generates a feeling of envy and competitiveness towards
others, particularly one's peers, who seem to have gained
some status or prestige.

a. Crab Mentality - attempt to pull down those who are

ahead of them in life.
8. Oversensitivity
- inability to withstand and accept criticism or negative
comments.

a. Euphemistic – attitude of not being frank and

straightforward.

9. Gaya-Gaya Attitude
- trait of copying or imitating other people.
10. Jackpot Mentality
- rather engage in fast ways of acquiring money.

a. ‘Bahala Na’ Attitude – trait of leaving to fate and

luck
b. ‘Tsamba Lang’ Attitude – refusal to take the credit
for one’s own accomplishment, instead owing to charm
and luck.
 Developing a
Filipino Identity:
Values, Traits,
Community, and
Institutional
Factors.
● The Filipino culture is a mix of both eastern and western
cultures the beliefs and traditions of pre-colonial
Philippines were mainly and indigenous malay heritage
(Baringer 2006)

● Phycologist, educator and (former) chairperson of the

commission higher education, Dr Patricia B. Licuanan
wrote that strengths and weaknesses of the Filipino
character are rooted in factors.
● 1. The Home Environment
○ Dr. Licuanan said, The Filipino children thought to value family
and give it primary importance.

● 2. The Social Environment

○ Is characterized by depending on one another to survive. This
dependence on relationships and struggle for survive make
Filipinos group oriented (1994)
● 3. Culture and language
○ Depict openness to foreign elements with no basic consciousness of our
cultural core (Licuanan 1994) the Filipinos colonial mentality, such as the
importance of the English language in our educational system, the wider
following of Hollywood movies, foreign soap opera/ TV shows, and foreign
songs/ singers over Filipino, movie, shows, and music. Is a manifestation of
our attachment to foreign elements.

● 4. History
○ Is regarded as the culprit behind our colonial mentality. Unfortunately, most
Filipino elites are of no help in setting.
● 5. The Educational System
○ Is instrumental in involving the strengths and weaknesses of the
Filipino character schools are highly Authoritian early on, children
learn that well Behaved and obedient students are praised and
rewarded this teaches positivity and conformity.

● 6. Religion
○ Taught us optimism and resilience, it also highly authoritarian, the
further reinforced our being passive and conformist (Licuanan ,
1994)
● 7. The Economic Environment
○ Filipinos to work hard and take a risks, as leaving our families to
work abroad. This further developed our ability to survive

● 8. Political Environment
○ Government structures and system are fraught with problems for
instance, the fact that political is mainly in the hand of the elite,
and the absence of a strong government presence enhances the
Filipino's already extreme family centeredness (Licuanan 1994)
● 9. Mass media
○ Refers to a diverse array of media technologies that reach a large
audience via mass communication

● 10. Leadership and role models

○ Any person with authority is looked up to thus when our leaders
violate the law and when there is lack of accountability for leaders
who break the law, the Filipino mindset is hugely affected in a
negative way (Licuanan, 1994).
Establishing a
Democratic
Culture
● Democracy is a government in which the supreme power is
vested in and exercised by the people directly or indirectly
through a system of presentation, usually involving
periodically held free elections.

● Although democracy has several flaws it also uniquely

possesses a number of features that most people
whatever their basic political beliefs would consider
desirable
 EXAMPLES
1. Democracy helps prevent cruel and vicious auto-crafts from ruling.
2. It fosters human development (i.e, health, education, personal
income, and any other indicators) more fully do other from forms of
government
3. Democracy helps protect fundamental individual rights and interests
4. Democratic societies provide people the maximum opportunity to
take moral responsibility for their choices and decisions
5. Democratic societies offer a relatively high chance of political
equality
● The Formal Ways

○ refers to a system of ideas and models that are

officially established (i.e.. policies and laws)

● The Informal Ways

○ refers to the acceptance of behaviors and thought that

are not established as the formal way of interpersonal
relations
● Establishing democratic institutions, however is not
enough for democracy to flourish. Democracy cannot be
sustained if political attitudes and political culture of the
citizens do not have a participative attitude.
 IDEAL
CITIZEN
By: Faisaliyah M. Miguel
• The ideal citizen is an idealized version of oneself
influenced by one's experiences and aspirations in the
environment he or she is situated in. The ideal citizen can
also be defined from the notion of the ideal self, as a
person's subjective experience of being a citizen.
• An ideal citizen can be a person who follows the laws
protects and take care of the environment and contributes
to the welfare of other people. An ideal citizen carries out
his or her civic responsibilities - duties that help shape a
better society for all citizen’s welfare.
 The Concept Of The Real Self And Ideal Self.
● The Real Self

○ is the self that one feels to be most true to what and who he or
she really is. It is how one thinks, feels, and looks.

● The Ideal Self

○ is the self-one aspires to be. It is an idealized version of oneself influenced
by one’s experiences and aspirations in the environment he or she is
situated in.

○ From the definition of the ideal self, the notion of the ideal citizen can also
be defined.
 GOVERNANCE
● is defined as the traditions and institutions that determine how
authority is exercised in a particular country. It includes, the process
by which governments are selected held accountable, monitored and
replaced. The capacity of governments to manage resources
efficiently and formulate, implement and enforce sound policies and
regulations And the respect of citizens and the state for the
institutions that govern economics and social interactions.
(kuafmann, Kraay, & Zoido-Lobaton, 2000)
 Good Governance
● In 1994, British Prime Minister John Major created the
Committee on Standards in Public Life to outline proper
behavior by public servants.

In its first report, the committee released the Nolan Principles.

It is named after the committee’s first chairman, Lord Michael
Nolan.
●
The Seven Nolan Principles or Seven Principles Of Public Life.

1. Selflessness – it means caring for what the people need and want
instead of promoting personal interest. Public service is nothing else
but serving the people.

2. Objectivity – it means being neutral and free from biases in making

decisions. The law must be applied as it is. Decisions must base on
verifiable data and evidences for transparency and impartiality.

3. Integrity – it means maintaining a good name and character. Public

officials and employees must be the epitome of obedience to laws.
 The Seven Nolan Principles or Seven Principles Of Public Life.

4. Honesty – it means telling the truth, hiding nothing, and being

transparent at all times.

5. Accountability – it means being liable and responsible for one’s

actions. Government officials and employees owe their office to the
people; thus, they are liable and responsible to them.
 The Seven Nolan Principles or Seven Principles Of Public Life.

6. Openness – it means being transparent with whatever information

one handles. To free the government from false accusations and to
inform the public about what is happening in the government, the
Constitution mandates full public disclosure of all government
transactions involving public interest (Article II, Section 28 of the 1987
Philippine Constitution).

7. Leadership – it means being able to lead the way for development

that would benefit all. Personal qualities are essential in government
service but the most important quality is professional competence.
CONCLUSION
Political Self is expresses how social
and economic contexts profoundly
affect the mental health and well-
being of a person. Politics is the
process of making decisions that
applies to all members of a group.
Ability to govern and control over a
group.
 It is a useless life that is not
consecrated to a great ideal. It
is like a stone wasted on the
field without becoming part
of any edifice.
Dr. Jose Rizal
• Proverbs 11:14

• “Where there is no guidance the people fall,

But in abundance of counselors there is
victory.”
 Thank you
for listening.