My Ideological Learnings

Manalang, Bianca T.
C49
POLISCI – Reflection 1

My Ideological Learnings

Filipinos are known for having ningas cogon, a mentality wherein when a Filipino starts something, they won’t be able to finish it. This affects all Filipinos since even the people who hold powerful positions in government are not exempted from it too. Politicians usually step in to remind people of the power they possess to fix the matter, and to find justice. Unfortunately, it does not take long before everyone loses interest, and the next big scandal is simply a day away. Before you know it, the politicians have moved on to other projects, and what was once a great big scandal is left forgotten and unsolved.

Some say that the reason Filipino people are so quick to forget about important incidents, and that promises made to fix them, is because they are simply too busy with their individual lives. Others say that it is because the Filipino people are subservient, patient, and forgiving. But regardless of which case it may be, ningas cogon is often, if not always, viewed as a negative trait and a weakness of the Filipino people.

Another mentality known as crab mentality is another negative trait a Filipino has. Crab mentality is a type of thinking in which a person tries to pull others down if he or she can't get ahead. This trait of a Filipino has already negatively affected the nation. Selfishness and individualism are already upheld by most of our government officials, that is why our country is one of the most corrupt in the world.

From what I have researched, I came to know that the Economy of the Philippines is the 46th largest in the world, according to 2010 World Bank statistics. According to the CIA Factbook, the estimated 2011 gross domestic product was 389.8 billion dollars. The Goldman Sachs estimates that by the year 2050, it will land on the 14th place and one in its list of the Next Eleven economies. HSBC projects the Philippine economy to become the 16th largest economy in the world, 5th largest economy in Asia and the largest economy in the South East Asian region by 2050. I have gained this information through Wikipedia.

The current Philippine economic system has grown since Noynoy Aquino has become president. The Gross Domestic Product of our country has risen to 7.3 percent in 2010 in which it was propelled by the demands of consumers, exports and investments, and election related spending. Aquino’s first budget emphasizes education, health, conditional cash transfers for the poor, and other social spending programs, relying on the private sector to finance important infrastructure projects.

Curators of the rosy picture continue to roll out endless statistics and charts to depict a growing economy, a country on the move. A portion of this view may even be accepted, considering that the Philippines, with all its imperfections, is only 21 years old as a free republic. The trouble is that there is one vital natural resource that has not been properly developed: the people.

Although our economic system has grown, it is sad to say that most of the Filipinos still live in poverty. This has brought about by nothing else but corruption of the Politicians of our country. The Filipino society should be able to do their part in forming a better nation by being more disciplined and hardworking. The reason behind our country’s poverty is not solely based on the corrupt politicians and government officials, but on the people themselves. The Filipinos reason out that there are too many corrupt people in the government and that it’s their fault they have no food to eat and no house to live in.

For the common Filipino man, education appears at first the ticket to his aspirations, and parents sell their last worldly possessions, even go deep into debt, to see a son or a daughter through college. But each year, no less than 65,000 swell the ranks of this army of the discontented, educated unemployed. Unemployment runs up to a million, while the under-employed represent 20 to 25 percent of the population, largely in the rural areas.

It’s sad to say that the Filipino people have become hopeless and think that they can’t do anything about their way of life. If only they can strive hard enough and persevere, they would be able to realize that they can achieve better. A life wherein they don’t have to blame others for the minimum wage they receive every month, or why they have to pay taxes. If only the Filipino people can realize the ugly truth why they can’t live a comfortable life – the fact that they’re lazy. Too many Filipinos are without purpose and without discipline. They profess love of country, but love themselves individually more.

No one is born to live a poor life. Everyone is given the chance to live a comfortable life if they have the patience and if they do everything in their power to attain that comfortable life. Some Filipinos have the mentality that if they’re born poor they will die poor, and that’s not true. A lot of Filipino’s started out poor and ended up to live a successful and fulfilling life.

Philippine political system has been known to be corrupt and hopeless. Politics is unhealthy and rights are abused. Social justice seems to be a far away dream, and the observance of the law seems ruthless. All Filipinos see it this way and that’s why it’s hard for us to change our way of thinking. Graft and Corruption can be seen in all the levels of government. No matter how high or low a government official is, they still hold that power, and most of the time they tend to abuse it.

The Philippines is at war. Its people are in revolt and no other than but the government called for the revolution. But unlike other typical warfare, this one doesn’t involve an enemy-state but nevertheless it is geared against an enemy of the state and its people. This ongoing war will be costly, slow and painful. But unlike all other war, it does not call for the destruction of life, but the building of life. This is the Philippines’ war against Poverty.

Political action is a critical ingredient for institutional change. Political action includes negotiating the complex socioeconomic and political terrain of reform, supporting coalitions, and aligning various interests toward the achievement of the developmental outcome. The goal of political action is to convince those with political capital to spend it on technically sound, politically possible solutions.

The existing systems are country has should be reformed. We can find a solution to these problems by being more aware of the current issues our country goes through. Listening to the news or the radio can help us be more aware and can open our minds to the ideas of others but by having our own political stand on these issues, we are more confident on what we can do as an individual regarding these issues.

We Filipinos should be open to change, since change is the only thing constant in this world. We have been clinging to these negative traits we are known for, and now it’s time to make a stand. We should be able to prove ourselves wrong. We shouldn’t be the type of people who can’t enhance their way of living because of the way we think. If we all make a stand, we would be able to reform our political, social and economic systems.

The Political Ideology I most relate with is Libertarian Socialism. I strive for a free, peaceful, abundant world where each individual has the maximum opportunity to pursue his or her dreams and to realize his full potential. I believe that each person owns his own life and property, and has the right to make his own choices as to how he lives his life – as long as he simply respects the same right of others to do the same. My goal, as a Libertarian is to bring liberty to the world, so that these ideas can be put into action. This will make our world a far better place for all people.

Libertarianism is the combination of liberty, responsibility and tolerance. Liberty is the freedom to live your life in any peaceful way you choose. Responsibility is the prohibition against the use of force against others, except in defense. Tolerance is honoring and respecting the peaceful choices of others. Libertarianism is a vision of how people should be able to live their lives-as individuals, striving to realize the best they have within them; together, cooperating for the common good without compulsion. It is a vision of how people may endow their lives with meaning, living according to their deepest beliefs and taking responsibility for the consequences of their actions.

Although I relate with Libertarian Socialism the most, I still respect the authority of people who hold power. I believe that even if I was raised in a democratic and capitalist country, there should be equality in our society. Peace and free will should be seen in the nation and that’s what I believe can be the solution to achieve a country with a satisfied society. It may seem idealistic, but I know that problems are better solved through non-violent ways. Focusing on advocating the rights of an individual person and upholding equality and promoting life is the best way and the most moral way of living for us Libertarians.