The Chains of blunted discontent: The protest inaction of jeepney drivers and a re-conceptualization of political alienation
Date of Publication
2014
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Political Science
College
College of Liberal Arts
Department/Unit
Political Science
Thesis Adviser
Antonio P. Contreras
Defense Panel Chair
Levita A. Duhaylungsod
Defense Panel Member
Antoinette R. Raquiza
Dennis S. Erasga
Abstract/Summary
This research is based upon the contention that any evaluation of democracy and democratization in the case of the Philippines must include an analysis of public acts of protest since this is still a part of the general repertoire of political participation in the Philippines, even though such acts have failed to gain mass support from non-participants who could benefit if such activities would succeed in influencing the policy process. For this reason, this paper has decided to posit and explore the question what will explain the existence of Inaction in the context of discontent from the perspective of Rational Choice theory and a Marxian re-conceptualization of political alienation. From the data gathered, this paper concluded with a proposed conceptual framework for political alienation. This framework is based upon the exploration of how inaction could exist in the context of discontent via a set of disempowering beliefs that an inactive social individual holds against him/herself, and mobilizing actors. To put it simply, this paper argues that the co-existence of discontent and inaction is due to political alienation built on blunting or a process wherein a supposed incentive is transformed into a non-incentive without being removed totally from a decision-making process. Hence, from its grounded theorizing this paper argues that the co-existence of discontent and inaction is based on political alienation constituted by blunted discontent a condition wherein the need to politically resolve a certain problem, though maintained, is deviated from activities directed at the perceived political root of the problem and blunted empowerment a condition wherein the need to politically resolve a certain problem is overtaken by the need to address its perceived effects on a certain set of values.
Abstract Format
html
Language
English
Format
Electronic
Electronic File Format
MS WORD
Accession Number
CDTG005594
Shelf Location
Archives, The Learning Commons, 12F Henry Sy Sr. Hall
Physical Description
leaves ; 4 3/4 in.
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Recommended Citation
Borja, A. A. (2014). The Chains of blunted discontent: The protest inaction of jeepney drivers and a re-conceptualization of political alienation. Retrieved from https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/4632