Philippine E-Journals

A National Ideology for the Filipino: A Proposal

Wilfrido V. Villacorta

Discipline: Political Science

 

Abstract:

My paper assumes that a national ideology is an indispensable stimulus to social development. This stimulus is demanded by an underdeveloped nation such as ours, which is faced with limited and unevenly distributed resources, and is bereft of a unifying, philosophical heritage. The process of modernization does not only involve political and economic transformation. It requires a modification of personal values. For economic and political development cannot be realized without mobilizing a population that is progressive, disciplined, and socially conscious. It is equally unrealistic to hope for an "internal revolution" that will voluntarily be taken up by the citizenry. Given human proclivity for the least line of resistance, people simply see little reason to change themselves. Thus arises the need for a dynamic motivating and organized force that will steer the people to awareness and to action This is what our country lacks - a national ideology. One that is not merely imposed from above and rooted in fear, but an ideology that springs from below - the history, the sentiments, the cry of the masses. Allow me to propose guidelines for such an ideology.