Week 3 - Sociology

WEEK 3 SOCIOLOGY

POPULISM OR POLITICS OF THE MOB : A SOCIAL PHENOMENON

Rationale

Populism materialized in East and West Germany 's peaceful re-unification to democracy in the mid-1990 's . It has inspired governments around the world , in which the Philippines ' 1986 military-back people power revolution was patterned . Populism is when `the popular will of the sovereign people to desist a socio-political affliction ' However , the politics of the mob may hide a political agenda , wherein political alliances only cohabits a unifying credo to dismantle a government regardless of different political platform

or guiding principles

The recent leadership and political crises being confronted by the Philippines` President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is threatened by a populist (political parties ' opposition ) action as brought about by the scandalous allegation of corruption pointed to the First Gentleman (Philippine Daily Inquirer , 2008 . With the political crises being currently experienced in the Philippines , this will discuss the issues and make a framework to study a social phenomena

Key Components in Identifying the Issue and Condition

The subjectivity and objectivity are basic components that is pre-determinant to perception and analysis (Byrnes , 2005 , as conveyed by the issue

Subjectivity

The subjective norm is based on the reports ' from different sources as the condition of the Philippines ' political affairs is in a volatile state , thus

Various media outfits are progressively reporting about the Philippines Senate investigation on the alleged anomalous deal on the ZTE Broadband project . The mentioned deal has implicated First Gentleman Mike Arroyo

Objectivity

The objective norm is through identifying the root of the situation as well as the key personalities involved (Zakaria , 1997 , thus

Another attributing condition is the concurring expose ' or agitation of Jun Lozada , the witness and source of the issue . He is being condoned by varying political opposition groups that calls for the president 's immediate resignation

The rallies and indignation activities are supported by political rivals , among them , former President Joseph Estrada (who has been toppled down by a people power in year 2001 ) who is allied with the demonstrators

Analyzing Pattern of Actions

The pre-determinants of the issues and condition are bases in analyzing the pattern of actions based on similar circumstances and occurrences (Cochran , et .al , 2006

A military-back people power toppled the Marcos regime in 1986 dubbed as EDSA I

Ousting of the Estrada Administration by a people power in 2001 dubbed as EDSA II

The aborted siege of Estrada supporters to Malacanan Palace on May 2001 claimed as EDSA III

The call to oust the current Arroyo Administration being claimed as EDSA IV

Perception

The series of political turns in the Philippine government is seemingly a rendition of power struggle of the civil society group - non-bearing to an armed struggle , which the government claimed to have been militarily controlled in selective combat areas of its countryside . One interesting consideration representing the civil society groups in urban areas are composing of the middle class professionals , labor unions students and selective clergies that clamors for the so-called EDSA IV Second interesting point...