POLITICAL SELF
Guide questions:
• Why is it easy for some people to convince others to follow them?
• Why is it easy for some people to get convinced?
• Would a person’s trait and values impact his political self?
WHAT IS POLITICS?
• Is the set of activities associated with the governance of a country or other area
• A social institution through which power is acquired and exercised by some people and groups
(Kendall, 1998).
• It can be inferred from a person’s ability to influence others by making a decision for them which
is an essential quality that can influence one’s political self.
• In Aristotle’s work Politics, he describes the role that politics and the political community must
play in bringing about the virtuous life in the citizenry. He observes that “man is by nature a
political animal”.
• Politics exists in all human societies.
Citizenship is the most basic identification with the nation as such, is oriented towards the state and
its expressions in law and policy (Diokno, 1997).
- Citizenship becomes a salient basis for political self.
- From the social and psychological perspectives, the individual’s claim to citizenship means that
the person relates herself or himself to a group of others who also see themselves as citizens of
a larger polity.
National Identity
• Our different ethnolinguistic groups – each with a distinct heritage of traditions, dance,
art, music, folklore, beliefs, value system-make up the identity of the Filipino people.
• Our National identity and Citizenship are important indicators that influence our…
WHAT IS POLITICAL SELF?
• The Political self organizes one’s beliefs, attitudes, and affiliations and aids in the processing
of politically relevant information.
• Politics is also etymologically defined as “Affairs of the Cities”.
• It is the ability and control over a group of people in a community, state or nation.
• It can be inferred from this new that a person’s ability to influence others by making a decision
for them is one of the essential qualities in one’s political self.
•
Political Self and Identity
• It constitutes the knowledge about the Constitution, government, and governance.
• Helps in defining the structure and functions of the government in telling the relationship between
the State and the citizens; and in describing their rights, freedom, and obligations as citizens.
• Exemplifies the ideals and aspirations of the people; embodies the rules and principles of the
State; and determines the status and power of the people.
The political self and identity are developed through socialization.
• Social interaction may significantly influence a person’s understanding of politics, and perhaps
a person’s political actions in the future.
• The value component of identity construction is shaped by societal agencies that enter the life
of the individual from childhood all the way through the rest of the person’s life (Diokno, 1997).
• Over time, individuals internalize the political attitudes, values, and views of others, and
incorporating them into their political self.
• The political community in which one belongs offers opportunity for people to define themselves
and provide opportunities to satisfy their “needs for affiliation”
• In some people, politics is a central component of their identity. For others, politics may remain
a more peripheral concern but temporarily become a central factor due to situational factors
(Stevens, Anglin, and Jussim, 2015).
The Origins of Political Self
1. Family
• The first and foremost duty of the parents is to educate the children about basic values and
beliefs. The process of learning these values and beliefs through identification.
• Morality underlie political values and beliefs.
• -Aristotle considers the State as a natural union of families, established for the common good
under a definite government
• -The family has a hierarchical structure, which requires that each member performs their
roles. Each position carries a set of rights, responsibilities, and expectations. Status and
power are ascribed. The family consists of members who differ in status, obligations,
influence, or power.
• -Children must be governed and thus, there must be some form of established status and
power in the family. The ordered positions and ascribed roles in the family prepare the
children for several and higher roles, such as the role of a government official and the role of
an ordinary citizen of the State
• The Philippine Constitution thus recognizes the duty and responsibility of the parents to
educate and train their children to become good, useful, and worthy citizens of the country
and to prepare them for future positions, responsibility, and leadership.
2. School
• Equally, the Philippine constitution recognizes the vital role of schools in inculcating among
youth the value of patriotism and nationalism and encouraging their involvement in public
and civic affairs of the country.
• One of the responsibilities of the school is to teach the moral, spiritual, and political values
that will develop students to become patriotic and morally upright citizens.
3. Church
• The church also helps shape the ideals of citizenship and democracy through their teachings,
homily, and pastoral letters.
4. Peer
• On the other hand, peers have also become increasingly important in influencing the political
self.
• People who belong to the same group often behave alike. It is because people with similar
preferences naturally associate with each other and because group dynamics cause
individual preferences and/or the information.
5. Media
• Mass media could also be a key source of information of politics and thus, may influence a
person’s political values and beliefs.
• The internet has created channels of communication that play a key role in circulating news,
and social media has the power to change not just the message, but the dynamics of political
corruption, values, and the dynamics of conflict in politics.
Theoretical Perspective in determining the Political Self
Social Learning Theory
• According to the social learning theory, a person can acquire learning through observation and
imitation.
• Political socialization is viewed as a lifelong process by which individuals gain knowledge
about politics.
Cognitive Theory
• The cognitive theory which suggests that the mental activities (e.g., knowledge, perceptions,
ideas) of individuals are important determinants of behaviors (e.g., political attitudes)
Theory of Symbolic Interaction
• The theory of symbolic reaction suggests that behaviors are products of communication,
meaning, and symbols. People give meanings to symbols and they express these meanings
through language and communication.
Theory of Political Participation
• Political participation can be defined as citizens’ actions or activities influencing politics.
• The extent and scope of political participation may be important criteria for assessing the value
or quality of symbols and meanings that people ascribed to politics.
How can people be influenced by others?
- Morton Deutsch - In 1995, they are the people who studied and analysed the motives of social
influence and determine the two types of it.
1. Normative Influence – a type of social influence that is based on conforming to the positive
expectations of others; helps avoid punishment
2. Informational Influence- a type of influence based on accepting the information obtained
from other as evidence of reality.
LEADERSHIP
According to Myers, leadership is the process by which certain group members motivate and guide
the group.
An important aspect of politics is the capacity to influence and lead a group of people.
Three Leadership Motivation Patterns
(Chan and Drasgow,2001)
1. Affective Identity motivation – The motivation to lead as a result of desire to be in charge and lead
others.
2. Noncalculative motivation- Those who seek leadership positions because they will result in personal
gain.
3. Social-normative motivation – The desire to lead out of a sense of duty or responsibility.
Theories of Leadership: “Psychological Needs”
David McClelland believed that we have three psychological needs:
1. Need for power
2. Need for affiliation
3. Need for achievement
Types of Leaders According to Path-Goal Theory
1. Instrumental- leaders who plan and organizes for their subordinates.
2. Supportive – leaders who show concern to their subordinates.
3. Participative – leaders who allow subordinates to participate in decision making.
4. Achievement-oriented – sets challenges and rewards achievement.
Types of Leadership Styles
(Kurt Lewin, 1939)
1. Autocratic Leadership - Also known as Authoritarian Leadership, “Do as you’re told.”
2. Democratic Leadership - Also known as Participative Leadership involves gathering input
from other members for decision-making process.
3. Laissez-faire Leadership - leave decisions to their employees, while staying available to
provide feedback when necessary.
4. Transformational Leadership - allows employees to see clearly the vision and goals; loyal
and productive while working to accomplish their mission.