THE

POLITICAL SELF
“It is a useless life that is not consecrated to
a great ideal. It is like a stone wasted the
field without becoming a part of any edifice.”

~ Jose Rizal
Politics
◦ Politics is an important part of human development because it
promotes ideologies about democracy, citizenship, human rights,
freedom, family, health, and other social issues.

◦ A mechanism by which individuals develop power and

understand proper functioning of a democratic society as a
citizen

◦ Citizenship: basic identification with the nation; membership of a

citizen in a political society (civil and political rights)
◦ The hierarchical structure of family influences the
political self through the obligations and expectations
associated with one’s role as a member of the family
and the power and status related with one’s position in
the family.

◦ Authority is necessary in the development of the

political self
◦ Aristotle: state as a natural union of families,
established for the common good under a
definite government; thus, the family makes
the most contribution to the child’s
development of political self

◦ Parents educate children about basic values

and beliefs; this morality underlies political
values and beliefs

◦ In turn, the Philippine Constitution recognizes

the duty of the family and the school to
inculcate patriotism an nationalism, to ZOON POLITIKON
become good, useful, and worthy citizens ζῷον πoλιτικόν
◦ In peer groups, members are
of equal status: interaction
encompasses and
emphasizes the equal
distribution of rights, power,
privileges

◦ Mass Media could be a key

source of information on
politics, thus may influence
the individual’s political
values and beliefs
The Political Self
◦ Social Learning Theory
◦ Political Socialization: lifelong
process by which individuals gain
knowledge about politics
◦ Though social interaction, a person’s
understanding of politics is influenced
◦ Identification: incorporation of
characteristics and traits, values,
beliefs, and motives of MODELS
◦ Cognitive Theory
◦ Mental activities of individuals are
important determinants of behavior
◦ For instance, individuals interpret the
meaning of politics and then choose
and decide the actions they will
make
◦ Theory of Symbolic Interaction
◦ Behaviors are products of
communication, meaning, and
symbols
◦ People give meaning to symbols and
express through language and
communication
◦ Based on this symbols (of politics,
human rights, etc), people can
formulate plans of action (elections,
demonstrations, rally)
 The Political Self
◦ Theory of Political Participation
◦ Citizen’s actions or activities
anchored in politics
◦ Mutual trust and respect among
members of the society must EXIST
◦ Thus, ordinary Filipino Citizens must
be allowed to take part in the
policy and decision-making
process regarding the
administration of the country which
is in accordance to the
democratic nature of Philippine
Society
 “We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor,
never the victim. Silen3ce encourages the tormentor,
never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere.
When human lives are endangered, when human
dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and
sensitivities become irrelevant. Wherever men and
women are persecuted because of their race, religion,
or political views, that place must - at that moment -
become the center of the universe.”
~Elie Wiesel