Managing the Material Self

The connection of the self to one’s

Jean-Paul Satre
possessions has been an interest  further researched on
of the social sciences, particularly thematerial self and theorized
anthropology and psychology. on how objects become
extensions of ourselves or our
Particularly in cultural identities. These objects extend
anthropology, the way culture and ourselves in space and time.
groups has given meaning to
things has been of interest.  A tool helps double our
strength, a weapon extends our
There were also studies on how reach, a uniform helps us relate
one object gains status as a with a group, or a t-shirt can
“prestige good’ or something that remind us of our own
give a perception that the owner  He noted three ways which we
has more prestige. connect with objects:
Ex. some societies may consider
having a car as a sign of wealth, 1. through controlling an object ,
others would see having more like learning to ride a bike or
lands or livestock. finally teaching your dog a trick
that you want him/her to do.
Another case would be how an We also connect through using
object becomes part of a family’s objects to control others, like
history, like necklace passed down giving gifts or using bribes
to the eldest child of each (Belk 1988)
generation. 2. through either creating or
buying it (Belk 1988). Because
you spend blood and sweat on
William James a project, for example, you tend
to give it more importance that
 One of the first to describe the having a good grade for it
self as the totality of everything affects you emotionally more
that one calls his or hers, which than a project you just
included what he called the haphazardly made. Spending a
“material self”. lot of money on something
would also make you care for it
 This material self focuses more more, like when someone
on the body, our clothes and wants to borrow your custom-
belongings, our immediate made bike or car and you keep
family, as well as the place we an eye on them in case they
call home. scratch it.

Russell Belk  However, recent culture and

economy have shifted our
 Workng from this work and focus from production to
ideas of French philosopher, consumption (Hurson 2013).
Jean-Paul Sartre, Russell Belk In sociological perspectives,
 society affects our concept of
self and this shift of focus to
production had us consuming
more and producing less for
ourselves.

Ex. buying cabinets and not make

one
buying 3-in-1 coffees instead of
mixing it on our own

 That might be a reason why

most people find it relaxing or
fulfilling to construct things on
their own.
3. knowing about something
creates a connection between Several psychological studies
you and that object of your support that materialism is
interest (Belk 1998). inversely related to self-esteem.
Meaning, it is more likely that a
A simple example is investing your materialistic person is using objects
time to study or even master to compensate for his/her low self-
something about engineering, esteem or something that is lacking
biology, art, music or history, and in in his/her personal life, like a good
time, you might be called an relationship with family, inability to
engineer, a biologist, an artist, a make friends or a romantic
musician, or a historian, which will relationship, and the like
be part of your identity. (Christopher and Schenker 2004;
Another one is knowing about a Jarrett 2013). The set-up might be
person romantically and in a more because he/she is more
intimate level that he/she becomes emotionally connected to objects
a part of you. than people, or he/she is using
material objects to gain acceptance
In 1992, Richins and Dawson in a circle of people.
developed the Material Values
Scale (MVS) to measure Furthermore, a study of Richins
materialism in consumers. In (1994) found that highly
recent years, a number of studies materialistic people put value on
have used the MVS to examine their belongings for their use,
materialism as a facet of consumer especially as a boost for social
behavior. status, while less materialistic
people value their possession for
Materialism is about the belief of a the joy and comfort that they get
person on the importance of from these things (Christopher and
material objects to the achievement Schenker 2004).
of happiness or success (Chan
2019) We can therefore argue that a
person who uses objects to gain
acceptance and privilege are also
more likely to ride current trends. These objects were seen as
“transitional objects” which aims
Our perspective and connection to develop the skills of a child
with objects develop through time, toward more independence.
like a child playing with a ball then Studies show that the more parents
transitioning to ball games and are engaged in parenting, the less
probably winning formal the child to become attached or
competitions. dependent on these things (Jarrett
2013).
Self and Objects Through
Life Stages In adolescents, the attachment to
objects increasingly depends on
The connection of self to the who people are, or how they
material world develops and want to be perceived, especially
changes over time. Studies by their peers. Various studies
showed that, even with cultural state that the lower the self-
differences, there seems to be a esteem, the more a person seems
similar experience in the to acquire and/or get attached to
development of the material self more objects, and vice versa.
throughout the life of a person.
Also, teens give more importance
According to Belk (1988) there to having similar items with their
could be four stages of this peers as a sense of shared
development: identity as well as an attempt to
be different from their parents
1. the infant distinguishes self from (Jarrett 2013).
environment;
2. the infant distinguishes self from Young people seems to value
others; possessions based on the
3. possessions help adolescents following:
and adults manage their identities;
and 1. “emotional attachment”, like
4. possessions help the old the happiness that you
persons have a sense of continuity get from it;
and preparation for death. 2. “social meaning” especially the
ability of the object to attract people
or make you feel that you belong;
Further explained by Jarrett (2013), and
our relationship with the material 3. “personal association” or how
world starts with the idea that an object is related to our concept
whoever gets something first is its of self, like buying an eight note
owner. “finders keepers”, so to necklace because you think you
speak. It is when a child finds a toy are a musician.
and does not want to let go of it, or
another baby takes the toy and the
first one throws a tantrum because The adult self continues to extend
it was taken from him or her. to more objects as the needs
as well as the means to acquire 1. Keep your perspective in
changes. check. The love of money, not the
Ex. a teenager who was interested money itself, causes the problem.
in drag race cars before, but now Money is important but it should be
has become a father would rather perceived as a means to a better
go for a more utilitarian type. end. You should not sacrifice short-
The material self also gets on a term satisfaction and happiness for
more specific interest. You may a long- term fulfillment and joy.
find that later in life that you will
become more interested in power 2. Have money, do not just
tools or kitchenware or appliances pretend. Or as others say, “The
as you get older, for example. goal is to be rich, not to look rich.”
It must be noted that the In a lot of instances, it is
acquisition and attachment to appearance that we perceived first.
object still depend on who we But, pretension can only go so
think we are or who we want to be much. Having your own money
perceived by others (Jarrett 2013) actually lets you buy what you want
and what you need. You will have a
higher probability of not loaning in
Old age brings another aspect to case of emergency and you will not
the relationship between the owner be in a bad debt trying to please
and the object. The object now other people.
becomes a vessel of memory, like
a camera you used to bring in your 3. Have your own goal, take your
travels, a source of comfort as well own time. Have your goal for both
as an achievement, like trophy or short-term (3 months to 1 year) or
diploma, and it becomes a sort of long-term (more than a year). Do
legacy for the future, like your not just think of something to buy,
house and lot that you will pass on but also about something to
to your children. improve your financial status.
Then, keep that goal in mind
instead of comparing yourself with
Ideas on Managing Resources others as we all have different
experiences including
Our current economic system is backgrounds. Do not chase after
based on monetary exchanges and others, build your own.
being a consumer necessitates
having cash. 4. Budget, budget, budget. A lot
Having some money then became of people do not like the word
a part of our “self” as we engage in “budget” because it sounds
economic activities. restrictive, but it is not. When you
have a budget, you have a)
However, how finances are realistic idea of what you can
handled can make or break a spend on whatever you want, and
person, an organization, a b) a peace of mind that you have at
company, and even a family. least taken care of the important
needs that you have to pay for.
Start by making a list of your
common expense something you do not really need.

for a month and the estimate 🗸 Save first before you spend, not
money you spend on them. Also, spend before saving what is left.
include how much money you are That way, you save a bigger
willing to save or invest. amount and you get a more
Then, make the necessary realistic budget for all your
adjustments. expenses.

Ex: 🗸 You can reward yourself without

50% Personal use 25% Savings being too extravagant or
25% Utilities overextending your budget. Go
watch the movies, buy branded
5. Save in order to be safe. clothes, drink coffee at a high-end
Having a savings in the bank coffee shop, buy new upgrades for
provides you a security incase of your ride, and so on, as long as
emergencies. Others may have or you keep those things within the
opt for a separate emergency and above mentioned premises.
savings as the savings account can
be reserved for a long-term project, 7. Increase income flow.
like a house. You must not use Sometimes the budget can be too
your savings until emergency tight or the money in the bank is
comes or until you can finally use it not growing enough. Therefore,
to purchase a long-term goal. you must find legal ways to
increase your income. Any good
6. Keep your spending habits in means to
check. add to your allowance or current
🗸 Make a list when going to the income. Just also be sure that you
grocery/mall and prioritize buying still have time for yourself, your
those things in your list before you studies, and your family.
buy anything else
when you have the spare money. 8. Good debt vs. bad debt.
Ideally, we must get out of debt first
🗸 Pay in cash. Minimize the use of before we can continue to make
your credit or debit card. As a lot of our money grow. It is about having
financial experts usually advice, if a good record and personal
you cannot pay it in integrity. However, there are also
cash, it is not yet within your things that we can call good debts.
budget or financial capacity. At  Bad debts – those we acquired
least but do not necessarily need
wait when you can afford it. and/or
do not increase our financial
🗸 Wait for a day or a week before capabilities
you buy something, because you  Good debts – those we acquire
might just be enticed at the and will increase our financial
moment or pressured by peers or capabilities.
trends that you want to buy
something now, but in reality, it is Remember, installments are still
debts, because you are still incapable of covering them all.
providing payments. It is best if you Thus, you need to have insurance
can cash it in. Also, when you for your health in case you have an
make money, settle your debts accident or a sickness – a life-
first. It is also someone else’s insurance, so that your family can
efforts as well as future on the line receive a large financial aid in case
that they sacrificed for you, so be you leave them in this life
grateful. unexpectedly, and an insurance or
plan for your assets or belongings.
9. Make your money grow.
Increasing your financial Again, research is necessary to
capabilities takes time and honest avoid falling for fake insurances.
work. But, there are means of Remember that you are doing this
increasing your income wherein, mainly for your family, so that they
after putting the necessary initial will not be financially burdened in
work, the money will grow on its case something happens to you.
own and will yield profit higher than
just being in a bank. This is through 11. Your greatest investment is
passive income sources or still yourself. The steps are all
investments like stocks exchange, about keeping you safe and
mutual funds, bonds, royalties and helping you grow financially. The
real estate. mastermind behind all of these is
you. Therefore, you must never
🗸engage only in a business that stop learning and improving
you yourself, your skills, and your
understand; passions among others. The more
🗸 do not engage in quick-money you know, the more opportunities
pyramid schemes; you can see as well as traps to
🗸 diversify, do not invest all your avoid. Health is also one of the
money in greatest wealth one can have, so
one place or one type of business, have time to eat right and exercise.
but do not also scatter them too
thinly. Invest in around three for a 12. Enjoy life no matter what.
start. Enjoy your profits, keep a good
relationship with your family, have
10. Protect the future. Following a healthy and romantic
the plan of action, you will reach a relationship, serve the community,
time when you have a steady flow take a hobby, engage in arts or
of income, both from your work and sports, plant a tree, or adopt a
your investments. You know how to stray pet.
budget things, so you can address People lived meaningful lives prior
your needs and enjoy some luxury. to this cash- oriented economy and
You also have savings or we still can as long as we keep a
emergency account, just in case healthy perspective on how we
something really bad happens, but relate ourselves to the material
your developing family or lifestyle world.
might
render that emergency account
 supernatural beings and
powers. Notice that this
definition does not specify a
THE SPIRITUAL SELF belief in God, because not all
religions have that belief.
The body is believed to be made Religion is narrower than a
up ofthree components: body, soul, worldview, or cosmology, which
and spirit. is a culture’s understanding of
how the universe came into
 The body is the physical being being, why it is the way it is,
that responds to stimuli and and the place of people in it. It
communicates with the also differs from spirituality,
surroundings; which is a concern with the
 The soul comprises the sacred in an individual manner.
emotions and thoughts of a All cultures have religion,
person ; while spirituality, a worldview and
 The spirit is the intangible magic. Adherents are people
aspect that communicates with who practice a religion.
deities in the spiritual realm.
William James defined personal
Human beings are incomplete religion as the “feelings, acts, and
without the spirit. Religion teaches experiences of individual men in
us the value of a higher being who their solitude, so far as they
develops in us our morality and apprehend themselves to stand in
conscience. It is vital that we relation to whatever they may
explore how to nourish the spiritual consider divine.”
self through our religious beliefs
and practices. Religiousness – the degree by
which one is affiliated with an
“When you examine the lives of the organized religion in terms of the
most influential people who have person’s participation in the
ever walked among us, you prescribed rituals and practices,
discover one thread that winds connection with its beliefs, and
through them all. involvement with its community of
They have been aligned first with believers (Santrock, 2014)
their spiritual nature and only then
with their physical selves.”
- Albert Einstein Theories of the Origin of Religion

Religion, Spirituality and Identity There have been numerous

attempts at explaining the origins of
 Religion, etymologically a Latin religion. One of earliest was
word RELIGARE meaning to Tyler’s view that people needed to
bind together. The binding explain the differences between the
together depends onhow living and the dead and from this
people interpret religion. came the idea of a soul. He named
Religion are the beliefs and this approach animism, a belief
behaviors related to that a soul or spirit inhabits all
living objects, including plants, for people to grow up
animals and even minerals. Tyler identifying with a particular
believes that eventually the idea of place or nation, to strengthen a
a soul became polytheism, or a person’s sense of national
belief in many deities, which commitment, especially if either
eventually shifted to monotheism, religion or nation come under
or a belief in one deity. threat.
There are still cultures that practice
each of these types of 3. Collective conscience –
religion. (Ang, 2018) religion unites people in moral
ways:
Functions of Religion
a) The group affirms its belief in
1. Stability and cohesion – the central values through its
shared religion binds people commitment to the religious
closely together: system. These sentiments
produce “value consensus”.
a) Religions forms a balanced and b) Religion thereby generates and
cohesive moral community. It is maintains the collective
a means of protecting conscience. This was
individuals from anomie, observable in its effects and
alienation and the threats of was open to scientific study just
disruptive mass movements as other social effects could be
and so maximizes the studied and analyzed, by
individual’s potential for collecting relevant statistics,
happiness. through careful observation and
b) Shared religious experiences recording or other experimental
provide the social cement for methods.
group unity and consensus. c) Durkheim saw society as a
moral community whose
2. Social identity – shared members were socialized into
religion gives people an identity accepting appropriate patterns
and social membership of behavior overtime. This is an
unending process since people
a) This is achieved through are always being integrated
special naming ceremonies, in into new groups, adopting new
christening and baptism in the norms, absorbing new values
Christian church. For and adapting new patterns of
Durkheim, group solidarity is behavior.
affirmed and heightened during d) An orderly social life is only
collective ceremony and ritual. . possible when people share
b) Religion represents the moral value; in this way, society
necessary power of the social becomes embedded in the
group over the otherwise individual.
isolated, anomic
individual.Religion serves to 4. Socialization and social
integrate the person into the control – religion represents
society. It is functionally useful the value system of the society:
 holy or beyond the ordinary.
a) It is a conservative force which
contributes to moral and wider Spiritual identity – the persistent
social order and stability. sense of self that addresses
b) Many cultural norms are given ultimate questions about the
sacred legitimacy by religious nature, purpose , and meaning of
beliefs, e.g. the Ten life. It results in behaviours that are
Commandments provide a consonant with the indiviual’s core
prescription for an orderly values. The definition of a sense of
lifestyle. By promoting such spiritual identity focuses on the
values through family, school individual’s construction of a
and church, the process of relationship to the sacred and
socialization occurs. ultimate meaning.

c) Appropriate modes of thinking The Spiritual Self

and behaving are controlled in
ways which will promote the The spiritual self is considered as
good, orderly society. the higher self, the inner self, and a
person’s true being that is greatly
5. Meaning and purpose– influenced by a spiritual deity.
religion gives meaning and Spiritual deities whom people
purpose to people’s lives: believed vary from one religious
group to another. From history,
a) In the face of death, disease people’s lives have been shaped
and the hazards of everyday by their religious traditions and
living, people are vulnerable to practices.
all kinds of disasters beyond Meditation practices increase
their control. Religious beliefs positive emotions, which may yield
offer people comfort in times of positive consequences for life
crisis. satisfaction. Research has also
b) It is the institution which gives shown that when facing trials,
people the strength to continue greater religiosity predicts greater
and promotes the long-term subjective well-being mediated by
maintenance of society as a greater social support and meaning
result. in life (Diener et al. 2011)

Spirituality – involves Individuals with faith in a higher

experiencing something beyond being are able to face life
oneself in a transcendent manner challenges with greater confidence
and living in a way that benefits and hope. The impossible
others and society. It could also be becomes possible and the difficult
related to a search for the sacred. becomes manageable, because of
 The term ‘sacred’ may signify divine intervention and guidance.
a person, an object, a principle, Christians, for example, gain a new
or a concept that transcends sense of direction and strength
the self. It can include a divine after devoting some time in prayer
being or a divine object that is and meditation of the Bible or the
‘set apart’ and considered as word of God.
 psychiatrist VIKTOR FRANKL
(1950s) and considered the
“Third Viennese School of
The faith in a higher being gives Psychotherapy” after Freud’s
them a sense of purpose one that psychoanalysis and Adler’s
is greater than the physical self. Individual Psychology. It is
This purpose drives their other based on an Existential
affairs, such as family and career. Analysis.
 Rather than power or pleasure,
logotherapy is founded on
belief – that is striving to find
a meaning in one’s life (that is
the primary, most powerful
motivating and driving force in
humans)

BASIC PRINCIPLES ON
DISCOVERING MEANING IN LIFE

Austrian psychiatrist and 1. Meaning in life. In

Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl logotherapy, man should see
(March 26, 1905–September 2, existence as experiencing life’s
1997) remains best- known for his ups and downs. Finding
indispensable 1946 psychological meaning in life does not mean
memoir Man’s Search for that people should strive to
Meaning (public library) — a become perfect. This principle
meditation on what the gruesome emphasizes that in spite of the
experience of Auschwitz taught him person’s wealth, status or
about the primary purpose of life: gender, he should discover
the quest for meaning, which meaning in life events and
sustained those who survived. circumstances. He should
realize that sufferings are part
It tells the story of how he survived of life which cannot be avoided
the Holocaust by finding personal and that finding meaning is still
meaning in the experience, which possible even in times of great
gave him the will to live through it. loss and deep sorrow.
He went on to later establish a new 2. Will to meaning. The meaning
school of existential therapy called that one attaches to experience
logotherapy, based in the premise is not obvious. Since the
that man’s underlying motivator in meaning varies from person to
life is a “will to meaning,” even in person and situation to
the most difficult of circumstances. situation, it is quite challenging
to discover what the experience
LEGOTHERAPY means to be fulfilled. The
meaning given to one’s life may
 From the Greek word ‘logos’ also vary at any given moment.
(reason or meaning) 3. Freedom to will. People are
 Developed by neurologist and given the freedom to make life
 choices which includes how
they respond to life events.
People can discover meaning
through the values that they
attach to things connected with
their lives. Values can be
creative, experiential and
attitudinal.

According to Frankl, people can

discover this meaning in life in
three different ways:

1) by creating a work or doing a

deed
2) by experiencing something or
encountering someone
3) by the attitude people take
toward unavoidable suffering
and that “everything can be
taken from a man but one
thing: the last of human
freedom – to choose one’s HUMAN SPIRIT AND
attitude in any given set of LOGOTHERAPY
- The human spirit is referred to in
several of the assumptions of
Logotherapy:

1) The term spirit is not “spiritual”

or “religious” in Frankl’s view, the
spirit is the will of the human
being.

2) The emphasis, is on the search

for meaning, which is not
necessarily the search for God or
any other supernatural being.

3) Noted the barriers to humanity’s

quest for meaning in life. He warns
against affluence, hedonism,
materialism in the search for
meaning.

EXISTENTIAL VACUUM

circumstances”.  The psychological condition

in which a person doubts,
 whether life has any meaning. dealing with difficult emotions,
This new neurosis is encouraging forgiveness, and
characterized by loss of interest leading healthier relationships.
and lack of initiative.
 Thus the individual relies Furthermore, positive emotions,
mainly upon actions of others increasing levels of psychological
and neglects the meaning of resilience, and improved immune
his own personal life. response have all been
 Hence he sees his own life as a associated with spirituality
meaningless and falls into the (Miller, K. 2020).
“existential vacuum” feeling
inner void. Spirituality is not a simple subject
 Progressive automation causes for experiential study. It is actually
increasing alcoholism, juvenile a complex system that requires
delinquency and suicide. serious and dedicated effort.
Nevertheless, considering the
The Spiritual Self and Coping positive correlation between
with Stress spiritual, physical, and
psychological well-being, health
According to Dr. Seppala of experts and practitioners can
Stanford University’s Center for undeniably include spirituality in
Compassion and Altruism practice in order to help patients
research, spiritual people engage recover from their illnesses and
in practices that can help reduce have a happier and longer life.
levels of stress (Miller, K. 2020). It
has been observed that spiritual Starting Your Own Spiritual
people are more likely to help the Journey
poor through donations or
volunteer work. They are also People worldwide have diverse
involved in community services. religious views and practices. The
decision to seek spiritual
Spiritually active people cope enlightenment is driven by the
with stress through meditation innate need for meaning. Joining
rather than overeating or engaging a spiritual group helps people find
in unhealthy coping behaviors. meaning in their lives. Through the
Meditations provide benefits, such spiritual group, people find
as focus to decrease pain and connections in troubling times. The
depression together with improved connection group helps ease their
health and happiness. stress and their depressive
symptoms, and increase their
Religious people choose to spend immune response. With these
quality time with family, and they benefits, it is just essential for us to
feel a strong sense of belonging start embarking on spiritual
to a community of like-minded transcendence.
people. Lastly, spiritual people
have a very high regard to Miller (2020) proposed a simple
prayer. Prayer helps people find guideline on how to start with our
comfort by assisting them in spiritual journey.
1. Start small and make new
habits easy. We are not required
to strictly follow a set of beliefs
overnight. Spiritual journey is a
process and it is progressive.
Becoming spiritual can be as
simple as staying silent for 5 to 10
minutes a day in a peaceful
environment.

2. Commit. It is a matter of
perspective. Decide to start and
continue with your spiritual journey.
Begin with self-love. With growing POLITICS
measures of love, joy, peace, From the Greek work Politika,
patience, kindness, goodness, and which is etymologically defined as
gratitude, one can start being more ‘affairs of the cities.
spiritual right away.
 It is the process of making
3. Practice. Just keep on doing decisions that applies to all
and progressing. Human beings members of the group.
must continually practice mindful  The ability to govern and
attention to their thoughts, control over a group of people
emotions and behaviors to find in a community, state or nation
experiences in spirituality. (https://en.oxforddictionaries.co
m/definition/politics)
4. Study. Explore and relate with  It can be inferred from this new
others’ experiences of spirituality, that a person’s ability to
whether through religion or influence others by making a
personal journeys. Seek advice decision for them is one of the
and guidance from people who essential qualities in one’s
have been through the same path. political self.

5. Choose love and respect.

Commit to loving and respecting
yourself above all else, then do it The Political Self
with others. If you truly accept your
own strengths and weaknesses, Human nature is social in
you can easily and unconditionally character as almost all
offer love and respect to others. philosophers adhere to this
Even in awkward, conflicting absolute truth. St. Thomas and
situations, choose to remain calm Aristotle both agreed to this
and interact with compassion and political nature of man, that the
grace. state is a natural institution
founded like a man (Bernardo’s
2016). A person does not just
desire to relate to others but wants
to form a society of which he is a
part. of many specialists and to settle
disputes among kinship groups or
Hence a society serves as a other social units. At some point,
person’s sanctuary for the loyalty to the society as a whole
fulfillment of his political needs. must supersede family and local
Without society a person is denied allegiance. A governing group
of his yearning for unity, a yearning becomes the focus of such loyalty,
that motivates him for social with the power to make rules and
relationship with others. In entering enforce them.
into a social group for the
satisfaction of his needs, a person Loyalty to this larger entity and its
in a sense shows a political leader is created and reinforced
character of his life. through ritual and other unifying
symbols. Where ceremonies and
sacred objects fail to generate
Political life is a necessary solidarity, they collectively
consequence of his social disintegrates into hostile factions.
existence. So that a person can While the ruling cities are
secure a place in his society he especially eager to use rituals to
must experience peace and order legitimize their rule, opposition
and this can only be through in a groups also need unifying symbols.
political atmosphere. According to Early societies were small and
St. Thomas Aquinas political life needed no extensive political
must adhere to the idea that “the system. They operated more like
ruler and the ruled” should be an extended family, with decisions
able to uphold the common good. It being made as they became
is understood that in political life, necessary. As surpluses developed
the ruler is the government and and societies grew larger, cities
the ruled are the people or the evolved- perhaps about 3500 BC
citizenship. (Fischer 1976).

City-states then came into being,

with power radiating outward from
a city like a spider’s web. City-
Origin of Political System states often quarreled and wars
were common. The victorious one’s
From a functional perspective, extended their rule and eventually
political systems serve some basic a single city-state was able to wield
survival need, in this case the need power over an entire region.
for internal order and defense As the size of these regions grew,
external enemies. Thus, some the people slowly developed an
members of the group are granted identity with the larger region. That
power to define and enforce the is- they began to see distant
norms. In the most simple of inhabitants as “we” instead of
gathering bands, all adults could “they”. What we call the state –
join in this task. But in the more the political entity that claims a
complex the society; the greater monopoly on the use of violence
the need to coordinate the activities within a territory-came into being.
 The human psyche is a political
The political organization of a psyche. In everyday life, people
complex society is called the need to adjust not only to
nation-state. States are organized themselves but to their world, the
sets of institutions that govern and forces in the environment that
defend a given territory. Today, create pressures, ideas and
however the historical evidence interests. This leads to an
suggests a more complicated independent and
picture in which the state operates interactive nature of one’s psyche.
as a relatively autonomous (self- The political behaviour in general is
directing) institutional sphere, with not something separate
its own history and logic. from other forms of human
relationship.
LEADERSHIP
Theories of Leadership
 An important aspect of politics
is the capacity to influence Psychological Needs
and lead a group of people. David McClelland believed that
Leadership is the process by we have three psychological
which certain group members needs:
motivate and guide the group
(Myers, 2015) 1) Need for power – want others
 Leadership can be exercised to follow him/her.
in a small group like in the 2) Need for affiliation – need to
family, in the classroom, in please others or you want
school as leaders of any school others to like you.
organization. 3) Need for achievement – need
 Leadership may also observed for you to reach your goals and
in a larger scale such as in to be competiti
government (politicians) and
leaders of international affairs. Theories of Leadership
In organizations, leaders are
always at the frontline and are Leadership Motivation Patterns
responsible for the functions (Chan and Drasgow, 2001)
and operations of the
organization.
1) Affective identity motivation –
Studies revealed that effective the motivation to lead as a result of
leaders consistently stick to their a desire to be in charge and lead
goals, have the self-confident others.
charisma that influences their
followers, they also have the ability 2) Noncalculative motivation–
to communicate in clear and simple those who seek leadership
language and have enough positions because they will result in
optimism and faith in their group to personal gain.
inspire them to follow (Myers,
2015) 3) Social-normative motivation –
the desire to lead out of a sense of
duty or responsibility. (charismatic leaders) – focus on
aligning the group or organizational
Types of Leaders According to goals with the followers’ need and
Path-Goal Theory aspirations by developing an
appealing vision (whereby
1) Instrumental– leaders who plan organizational needs are placed
and organizes for their above self- interest).
subordinates.
2) Supportive – leaders who show 3. Laissez-faire leaders – engage
concern to their subordinates. in ‘non-leadership,’ that is
3) Participative – leaders who they avoid making decisions,
allow hesitate in taking action and
subordinates to participate in are often absent when needed
decision making. (Hewstone, et.al., 2015)
4) Achievement-oriented – sets
challenges and rewards
achievement. OPEN SPACE TECHNOLOGY
Harrison Owen
Leadership style is a pattern of
leadership behaviour which is  An Episcopal priest whose
repeatedly shown as evident academic background and
across a variety of situations. It can training centered on the nature
be classified as follows: and function of myth, ritual and
culture.
1. Autocratic leadership –  In the middle ‘60s, he left
directive, non- participative and academe to work with a variety
domineering of organizations including small
west african villages, large
2. Democratic leadership – corporations and NGOs, urban
participative, communicative and (American and african)
egalitarian community organizations,
peace corps, regional medical
3. Laissez-faire leadership – programs, national institutes of
‘hands-off’, health, and veterans
with few attempt made to influence administration.
others.
With regard to what leaders and  Owen set about to create a
followers offer to one process that captured a
another, the following are the freedom, spontaneity and the
leaders’ descriptions: high energy of the coffee
breaks and their effective
1. Transactional leaders – focus outcomes.
on the proper exchange of  An effective approach to
resources, who give followers purpose-driven leadership
something in exchange for which initially has no formal
something the leaders want. agenda but eventually leads to
a specific or important purpose
2. Transformational leaders or task.
 It is applied in hosting
meetings, conflict minded
peace building conferences,
corporate- style retreats,
symposiums and community
summit events.
 It works best when different
people with different views
must deal with complex and OST runs on passion and
potentially conflicting material. responsibility. The law of two feet
 It offers the best results in a creates “bumble bees” who cross-
relative short time, within an pollinate ideas from one discussion
innovative and productive group to another discussion group
context. and “butterflies” usually do nothing
 The manner by which ideas are but be beautiful. They sometimes
expressed is important when attract others to start new ideas
connecting to others. and discussion.

Who is a Filipino?
At first glance, this appears to be a
very simple question to answer.
But, if you throw this simple
question randomly to people on the
street, you might be surprised at
how differently people, who call
themselves Filipino, answer this
question. It has been more than a
century since the Philippines
gained independence from its
colonizers, yet it appears that until
now, Filipinos still do not have a
unified notion, or an otherwise
clear picture, of who or what a
Filipino is.
People’s varied perception of what
makes one a Filipino also affects
how one sees himself or herself.
There are a lot of ways to
characterize and define a Filipino –
from his physical attributes,
behaviors, values, traits, customs,
to his beliefs
and practices, and all of these
factors affect a person’s political
self-concept in varying degrees,
depending on how much one
identifies with the Filipino identity.
However, beyond these commonly
known traits associated with being virtue of their blood
a Filipino, the Philippine relationship.
Constitution, which is the supreme 2. jus soli – states that the
law of the land, also provides a person shall acquire the
picture of who a Filipino is, with Citizenship of the place
respect to his nation. wherever he or she was born.
The place of birth shall
In political terms, a Filipino is determine one’s nationality and
regarded as a citizen or an the citizenship of his or her
inhabitant of a given territory, such parents are immaterial.
as the Republic of the Philippines, Here in the Philippines, we adhere
who by virtue of this citizenship by the jus sanguinis principle, in
exercises civil and political rights accordance with Section 1 (2) of
within the said territory. More the aforementioned Constitutional
particularly, Section 1, Article IV of provision.
the 1987 Constitution provides:
Natural-born citizens need not
Section 1. The following are perform any act to acquire such
citizens of the Philippines: citizenship. If their parents are both
Filipinos, then from the moment of
[1] Those who are citizens of the their birth, they will automatically
Philippines at the time of the acquire Filipino citizenship.
adoption of this Constitution;
Filipino Citizens by
[2] Those whose fathers or mothers Naturalization
are citizens of the Philippines;
The process of naturalization
[3] Those born before January 17, pertains to a “judicial act of
1973, of Filipino mothers, who elect adopting a foreigner and clothing
Philippine citizenship upon him with the privileges of a native-
reaching the age of majority; and born citizen. It implies the
renunciation of a former nationality
[4] Those who are naturalized in and the fact of entrance into a
accordance with law. similar relation towards a new body
politic.
Filipino Citizens by Birth
This means that a foreigner may
Filipinos are either natural-born acquire Filipino citizenship if he
or naturalized citizens of the wants to, provided that he
Philippines (De Leon 2011). This renounces his former nationality in
citizenship may be acquired either favor of the new citizenship. This
by birth (involuntary method) or by act of renunciation, however, will
naturalization (voluntary method). not automatically grant the
The former is further governed by foreigner the desired citizenship,
the principles of: because it is still subject to certain
1. jus sanguinis – states that judicial or administrative
children should follow the proceedings as prescribed by our
citizenship of their parents by Philippine laws.
 Gellner (1983) – suggests that the
Therefore in a sense, not only can existence of a shared language as
the Filipino identity be formed and a unifying part of a culture
influenced by culture and society, strengthens a national identity.
but also by the nation and its
government itself, to which the 2. the ethno-symbolist approach of
Filipino citizen owes loyalty and Anthony Smith (1998,2009) –
allegiance to. The existence of a views nation as “a named and self-
common citizenship may also be a defined human community whose
factor in forming a national identity. members cultivate shared myths,
How much one identifies with its memories, symbols, values, and
nation or government, traditions, reside in and identify
affects one’s political self-concept, with a historic homeland, create
and would further promote or and disseminate a distinctive public
discourage one’s engagement in culture, and observe shared
the country’s civic and political customs and common laws” (Smith
affairs. as cited in Kaufman 2013), and
thus, the creation of certain
The Concept of Nationalism and historical stories through these
the Filipino Identity myths and symbols which people
can attribute meaning to, can give
The existence of a common rise to a national identity.
citizenship is a mere piece in the
puzzle depicting the picture of the 3. The sociological approach of
Filipino identity. Citizens of a Charles Tilly (2005) and Andreas
particular territory should ideally Wimmer (2002) who posit that
share a common sense of identity national identity emerges from
hinged on a common language, social interactions between
historical experience, and distinct governing elites and citizens,
cultural background. A national where the former affords protection
identity may also be forged through and security to the latter in
nationalistic sentiments, shared exchange of government benefits.
among inhabitants of a particular
territory. Among other factors, Kaufman
However, the same case cannot be (2013) highlighted that:
applied to the Philippines. Kaufman
(2013) argued that Filipinos have a 1. the diversity of language
relatively weak sense of (dialects) in the Philippines, or
nationalism thereby resulting to a possibly the lack of dominant
fragmented national identity. primary language, is
Creating a divide among Filipinos,
He explained certain factors that thus, making it more difficult for
may contribute to this rather them to create a unified identity.
fragmented identity by applying
three known nationalism theories to 2. the absence of a consistently
the Philippine context: powerful historical narrative also
tends to blur a common national
1. the modernist approach of history due to conflicting accounts
of revolution and independence of inextricably linked as both
our country from its colonizers. It influences each other on different
then becomes difficult to attach levels. Culture, both material and
meanings and symbols to any such nonmaterial, shape the formation of
historical experience or milestone our identity. Across generations,
without a coherent and unified these typified beliefs and behaviors
narrative, since these elements are that make up the Filipino identity
what people must identify with for a were transmitted and are still being
sense of national identity to practiced.
emerge (kaufman 2013).
Values and Traits
So, “what do these elements have
to do with my identity or political Hospitality, Self Sacrifice, Respect
self-concept?” for elders, “Bahala na attitude”,
close family ties, bayanihan, crab
The Nationalism theories, as briefly mentality, colonial mentality.
discussed and applied by kaufman
(2013) in the philippine context. Promoting Sense of Nationalism
Suggest that a unified sense of
national indentity also affects how Ways on how you can foster a
a person perceives and creates his sense of nationalism:
own identity.
1. Be an active Filipino citizen. A
The relatively shaky sense of good Filipino citizen should be
nationalism among Filipinos might aware of the current events and
be the reason why it is difficult to participate in government
picture what really makes up a programs that aim for the
Filipino identity. Nevertheless, we country’s progression and
continue to identify ourselves as development.
Filipinos based on a shared
language (no matter how diverse), 2. Study the Philippine history.
religion, culture, and history; The road of the Philippine
however, they might have come to history is long and bloody, and
evolve in the passing of time. by learning and fully
understanding the events of the
Philippine history, one will learn
Culture and the Filipino Identity so much why it is important to
love one’s country with your
The set of values, beliefs, thinking life, extend help to fellow
patterns, and behavior practiced by Filipinos in need, and recognize
a society and transmitted from one abuse of political power.
generation to another through time
comprises culture. These typified 3. Support local products. When
practices and beliefs shared within you buy local products, you do
a group creates a sense of identity not only support local
and fosters a feeling of manufacturers and business
belongingness within the group. executives, but you also help
Clearly, culture and identity are strengthen the local economy.
4. Speak the Filipino language.
The history of the Filipino
language was as long and hard
as the Philippine history. Jose
Rizal highlights the importance
of speaking the national
language as a way of
displaying the love for one’s
country. Speaking Filipino also
serves as a unique identifier of
being a Filipino. It has been a
decade-long debate whether to
use Filipino as the instructional
language in school and to
translate textbooks into Filipino,
however, this is still not strictly
imposed.

5. Do not spread fake news

and be democratic in engaging
with dissent. This period in the
history of the Philippines has
seen how the internet has
spawned tons of possibilities
for us, both good and bad.
Nowadays, it is easier for
Filipinos working abroad to
communicate with their loved
ones left in the Philippines
through the internet. Despite
this, the internet has also made
the spread of fake news very
common. Likewise, internet has
also made us engage in heated
arguments with people across
the globe about our political
positions. It is part of being a
good Filipino to sort out
everything that one reads
before actually buying it and
spreading it like wildfire. It is
also the responsibility of every
Filipino to recognize
disagreement in political views,
be tolerant, and argue
intelligently without having to
resort into name-calling people.