Part 5:

THE POLITICAL SELF

In our seeking for economic and political progress, we all
go up - or else we all go down.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt
What is Political Self?

- Refers to a representation of oneself about him/herself

- A public identity one makes and constructs about

him/herself to be

- Political position based on the interest and perspective

of one social organizations
The political self explore how our social and economic
contexts profoundly affect the mental health and well-being
of a person. This lesson shall focus on how the political self
could establish a Filipino identity and how society shapes
the characteristics of a people.

What then is politics?

The word politics is derived from the Greek word Politika which
means affairs of the cities.

Politics – is the process of making decisions that applies to all

members of a group. It is the ability to govern and control over a
group of people in a community, state or nation. Thus the ability
to influence others by making a decision for them is one of the
essential qualities in one’s political self.

How can people be influenced by others?

There are two types of social influence by Deutsch and Gerard
1. Normative Influence – this is the type of social influence
based on conforming to the positive expectations of others,
people tend to avoid behaving in ways that will lead to social
punishment or disapproval.

2. Informational Influence – this is based on accepting the

information obtained from others as evidence of reality.
An important aspect of politics is the capacity to influence and
lead a group of people.
Leadership - is the process by which certain group members
motivate and guide the group. Leadership can be exercised in a
small group (family, classroom, school org) or in a larger scale
(government ,international affairs). Leaders are always at the
frontline and are responsible for the functions and operations of
the organization.

The human psyche is a political psyche. The political behavior is

not something separate from other forms of human relationship.
Leadership Style – is a pattern of leadership behavior which is
repeatedly shown as evident across a variety of situations. It is
classified as follows:

1. Autocratic leadership is leadership that is directive, non

participative, and domineering.
2. Democratic leadership is leadership that is participative,
communicative and egalitarian.
3. Laissez- faire leadership is hands-off leadership, with few
attempts made to influence others.
Type of leaders
1. Transactional leaders are leaders who focused on the proper
exchange of resources, who give followers something in
exchange for something the leader wants.
2. Transformational (charismatic leaders) are leaders who
focused on aligning the group or organizational goals with the
followers need and aspirations by developing an appealing
vision.
3. Laissez-faire leaders are leaders who engage in non-
leadership, that is they avoid making decisions, hesitate in taking
action and are often absent when needed.
Open Space Technology (OST) is an approach to purpose-driven
leadership which initially has no formal agenda but eventually
leads to a specific or important purpose or task. ( conferences,
summit, retreats symposiums) it is also a means of influencing
others through techniques of persuasion. The manner by which
ideas are expressed is important when connecting with others.
Principles of OST
1. Whoever comes are the right people.
2. Whatever happens is the only thing that could have happened.
3. Whenever it starts is the right time.
4. When its over, it’s over.
Developing a Filipino Identity: Values, Traits, Community and
Institutional Factors
 THE SPHERE OF POLITICS AND THE POLITICAL, BROADLY CONCEIVED,
INCLUDES ALL SOCIAL PROCESSES, SOCIAL FORCES AND SOCIAL
RELATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INSTITUTIONAL DEPLOYMENT OF
POWER. THIS WOULD OBVIOUSLY INCLUDE SOCIAL PROCESSES

THE POLITICAL CONNECTED TO FORMAL STRUCTURES OF GOVERNMENT, BUT

WOULD ALSO EXTEND TO SOCIAL RELATIONS TIED TO THE POLITICAL
SELF ECONOMY (E.G., MARKET, WORKPLACE), RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS,
EDUCATION, THE CULTURE INDUSTRY (E.G., ENTERTAINMENT, NEWS,
ART, MUSIC), EVEN THE FAMILY. ANY TIME POWER IS DEPLOYED,
EITHER LEGITIMATELY OR ILLEGITIMATELY, IN A PATTERNED,
ORGANIZED OR REGULAR MANNER, POLITICS IS INVOLVED.
CONCEPTUALIZED IN THIS MANNER, IT IS NOT DIFFICULT TO
RECOGNIZE THE FUNDAMENTAL PLACE OF POLITICS IN MODERN
SOCIETY.