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 and
nationalism, to become good, useful, and worthy
citizens ZOON POLITIKON
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