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Really? I Have the Future In My Hands?
An Analytical Study on Voting and Decision-Making
Ivy Dianne J. Olivan
English 2 D - 4R
Professor William Remollo
13 March 2012
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An Analytical Study on Voting and Decision Making
Last February 22-24 2012, the annual University Student Council Elections in the
University of the Philippines in Los Baños took place. The three-day election had been
controversial for the voters and candidates themselves. As expected, there were endless
platforms, promises, and projects for a better service to the student body. There were
even issues of bribery and inconsistency in the atmosphere. While many had their
choice among the three party lists: the Samahan ng Kabataan para sa Bayan o
SAKBAYAN, Move U.P and Buklod-UPLB, a lot more did not want to decide. Most
students are aiming for progress and change. Freshmen up to senior students have been
waiting for this. However, why is the voters’ turnout only 40% of the student
population? Although there are diverse reasons influencing a voters’ decision, such as
personal background and candidates’ campaign strategies, Filipinos should exercise
their right to vote in order to assert democracy, elect lawful leaders, awaken patriotism,
and initiate positive changes for the Philippines.
Elections are the most effective means of popular control. It is through elections
people voice out their opinion for a society’s government. Also a mirror tells the quality
of democracy in a country (Coronel, 2004; Pacis, 1956). Nationally, when citizens reach
18 years of age, they are then given their right to vote. The Philippine electoral system is
the plurality system or the “first past the post” which creates a minority president.
Annually, national elections are being held during the month of May and voters were
only allowed to cities where they are registered. Hence, if they have changed their
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residency, they are still required to vote in that city where they have registered, unless
reregistered in the current place of residency. Here in UPLB, being a bona fide student,
regardless of age, is enough qualification to be given the right to vote. All a student
needs is a validated identification card and/or a Form 5.
Nevertheless, how do voters choose a commendable leader to govern lawfully in
a society?
Humans are imperfect decision makers. Thus, there a numerous factors affecting
an individual’s voting decision, but, to much advantage to scientists, a behavior of an
individual in decision-making are measured by means of a preference scale. A study in
Political Psychology in the 1950s suggests that personal experiences, political
knowledge, and media determine one’s political participation that is being shaped
through psychodynamic processes. Most of all, there are many evidences proving that
individuals learn their political patterns early. (Arrow, 1951; Hyman, 1959; Janis, 1977)
As the study suggests that from and within childhood, a person starts to learn
his/her political patterns, his/her view on politics may has been influenced by how their
family sees politics. In addition, huge clans can be also a device for bloc voting, or the
term used for one-candidate voting for all the members of a particular group of people.
If the family sees elections and politics as an opportunity to participate in the national
activities, the person or the child may have seen it likewise. In fact, Hyman (1959) in his
book “Political Socialization” suggests that once a child how to think, they should ask
him what kind of individual he most admired or most likely to resemble, and by
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clarifying such ideals in terms of their incorporation into politics one may directly
express the child’s likely degree of political participation. By this, parents, being the first
educators of a child, can instill in a mind of a child the basic morale of what is right and
wrong and educate a child what must a responsible democratic citizen perform during
these political activities. If parents are educating their offspring the gift of democracy,
then children will yearn for involvement. Products are student leaders, which mostly are
whose politics running into their bloodline and are educated at an early age. And
otherwise, if parents inculcated a false perception of politics into a young mind, for an
instance, as for taught that politics is a complex and distant realm that is beyond a
power of commoner to affect, the child might no longer see the value in his vote and
might uphold that adage for a lifetime, unless twisted or corrected. Instructing a young,
innocent mind how to be a critical thinker and to positive political can be a step to a
nation’s progress. (Long, 1981)
As the family’s upbringing greatly affects a child’s political participation, so is a
person’s educational attainment. People who read more books and magazines and
listen frequently to radio programs and forums are been regarded as more educated
than most of the members of the society. Furthermore, interests that are highly
stimulated by better education and the perspectives that are gained encourage an
educated person to participate in politics. Today in the society, the definition of a social
status includes educational attainment, so the higher a person’s status; the greater is
both his/her interest in public affairs and the likelihood that this person will be a public
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affairs leader (Katz & Lazarsfeld, 1959). Moreover, a professional, for example, is more
knowledgeable about politics than commoners in the society are. His knowledge about
himself, being a highly regarded citizen, will affect his decisions. A professional clearly
would support candidates from whom he will benefit most (Janis, 1977). Moreover,
social strata are roughly determinants of how they are going to vote and who to vote. If
a voters’ family is below the poverty line, they would more likely to support a candidate
who pledges to alleviate poverty, as mostly they see the government as a lifesaver. The
poor usually take little part in politics because participation often seems irrelevant to
their primary concerns. They tend to address more of their urgent problems than to
participate in a national activity like elections. They see the government as an institution
too far beyond to reach. Instead of voting, as they see as a little help, they turn to their
friends, religious leaders, or anyone who is at a better position to help (Huntington &
Nelson, 1976; Noromor, 2010). For that reason, knowledge in one’s own background
and interests helps a person to decide on a particular subject of discussion.
Religion is also a determinant of a political choice. A devout follower will be
more submissive to the teachings and doctrines of a church, and would not
compromise. In the Philippines, being one with the State and the leader of influence
during the Spanish Colonial Period, the most dominant tower of influence is the Catholic
Church since 60% of Filipinos are Catholic (Guillermo, 1989). For Filipinos a church is not
only an institutional church but also the influence of every decision to be made. A
church, for an instance, encourage bloc voting for the whole congregation, and one
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example is Iglesia Ni Cristo that requires its followers to vote only for the candidates
named by its leaders. However, listeners of flamboyant preachers who are claiming God
has told them whom their followers should vote for may be hindered from voting for
their choice of candidates. On the one hand, CBCP or the Catholic Bishops Conference of
the Philippines says, through an interview, that people should vote for their preferred
candidate regardless of religious organization affiliated with, thus, saying that they are
against bloc voting done by certain religious organizations (Pazzibugan, 2009; Presse,
2010). The candidate choice of the church should not really been enforced to a voter,
thus, losing free will and individualization in a society. The concept of a personal voice
for the nation loses its meaning.
With all of these, nothing more affects a voter’s preference than the personal
information of candidates and the way they present themselves to the public. Similar to
how voters evaluate themselves before making a decision, they also evaluate
information about a candidate in prior to making a choice during elections. Voters
assess a candidate’s credibility by educational attainment, personality, political
achievement, appearance, campaign paraphernalia, and advertisements. Kim Mhaoreen
Noromor, in her undergraduate thesis as a BS Development Communication student last
year 2011, found out that there are different habits of voters when choosing a
candidate to support. According to her thesis, there are people who vote for people
who look meek, gentle, and good-looking. These voters attach a candidate’s physical
appearance and personality. Another example is Jose Maria Sison’s statement about
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President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s triumph: “Noynoy Aquino won because of
being heir of his respected parents *late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and late
President Corazon Coquangco Aquino] and as a candidate who promised to eliminate
corruption” (Mandelo, 2010). Voters suppose that the legacy of a family of a candidate
stays within the identity of a candidate. Similar to President Noynoy Aquino, being a son
of two democratic martyrs in the Philippine History, voters see him as a continuation of
the lifetime promise of his parents. Moreover, voters also consider political
achievements. That is why candidates tend to “show-off” their achievements to the
public to let them discern that they ought to have the position. Student voters have
observed the situation during the USC elections campaign in UPLB. Party lists and slates
have been posting individual pictures of the candidates with their achievements,
politically or not. Candidates thought that the longer the list of achievements, the higher
the probability of more votes to support them.
Another interesting discovery is that according to respondent to Noromor’s
(2011) survey for thesis, they usually find good and colorful campaign paraphernalia
convincing and as a basis of their votes. One respondent also said that the
advertisements through mass media, especially through the television, haunt her on the
Election Day. In fact, according to Herbert A. Simon and Frederick Stern in their article
“Political Communication: The Effect of Television upon Voting Behavior in Iowa in 1952
Presidential Elections”, the production of television would result to the intensification of
the campaign. Their study on the influence of the television in Iowa yielded two results:
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1) There was increase in voting turnout, 2) There was an increase in awareness of issues
involved in the campaign. In conclusion, it is through mass media voters depend their
voting behavior. However, voters should be critical in what they see in television, hear in
radios, and read in newspapers that even journalists complain for lack of
professionalism, candidates use personalities, instead of delivering platforms and
addressing issues. Lack of knowledge in certain laws in a country would be a target for
deception by certain candidates only aiming for the office. For an instance, voters
should be aware of the 1985 Omnibus Election Code and the Fair Elections Act of 2001,
which states certain regulations about campaign and suffrage. One particular rule is that
the campaign expenditure limit for a presidential candidate is P10 per voter, plus P5 if
the candidate is under a political party. During the campaign period for the May 2010
Presidential Election, Presidential candidate Manuel “Manny” Villar was of
overspending. His total expenditure was believed to be P1 Billion. The issue faced many
verdicts from different people across the nation. All comes down to the same question:
who else but a plunderer will spend over P1 Billion of his own money just to land a P45,
000/month job? (Esposo, 2010) Therefore, voters should be critical in choosing whose
name circle to shade on elections day and must not let deception slip into their heads.
Above all these influences, if participation is undemanding, what attributes
affect the decision of people whether to participate or not?
People who have confidence in their ability to effect political change are more
likely to become involved in political activities. Information on personal and political
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efficacy influences votes whether to vote or not (Long, 1981). People vote because they
have goals for their nation. Some people vote because they are aware of what their vote
may change. Their vision of change starts with their political participation. They see the
election as an opportunity to be involved in national activities. According to Rhomalet
Keeshia Ong, a BS Computer Science sophomore student, she voted so in the future she
would have the right to question and complain things about the administration. Another
student, but under a different degree, Gladys Quiatchon, who is studying to be Doctor
of Veterinary Medicine and is on her second year, stated that curiosity forced her to
vote. She said she just wanted to try the new system of voting. While some people vote
because it was their personal choice, some people vote out of conformity and fear.
These people, who vote to conform, vote to be “in”. Voting seems to them a trend they
think they should be embracing. Their opinion leaders, who are their friends, neighbors,
co-workers, parents, spouses and other relatives seem to influence them to vote. Out of
compliance to a requirement, people choose to vote because it is acceptable to one’s
own society. On the one hand, some voters participate just because they are forced to
do so, if refused to comply, there will be negative consequences for the respondent.
Fear usually is being associated with electoral violence, thus, the 3Gs or the Guns,
Goons and Gold. Guns and Goons are used to intimidate voters to ensure electoral
victory at all cost; and Gold, money invested in elections to guarantee continued
dominance. These influences foster a decided individual to vote, willingly or not
(Huntington & Nelson, 1976; Katz & Lazarsfeld, 1959). However, a group of people can
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only intimidate a voter if the voter himself lets them to do so. A person’s vote should be
to encourage a political progress, not to tolerate electoral flaws and violence.
On the other hand, there are also people who do not vote. Studies and surveys
show that there are low levels of political participation from people who ought to
assume that their votes would not be worth anything and those who were not familiar
with the candidates. During the 1949 Philippine Elections, because of massive fraud and
corruption in the atmosphere, Huntington and Nelson (1976) assume that the poor and
even the better-educated citizens were led to believe that their vote would not be
counted. However, this is a false perception if to be connected to the current
government of the Philippines. As the new government seeks to organize public
activities like elections as flawless as possible, voters should also be of help to
themselves.
In his book “Human Existence”, British activist and educator, Paulo Freire said,
“Human existence cannot be silent nor can it be nourished by false words, but only by
true words, which men transform the world. To exist, humanly, is to name the world, to
change it… *Saying truthful words+ is not the privilege of some few men, but the right of
every man.” In 1800, Thomas Jefferson was elected President by one vote in the House
of Representatives after a tie in the Electoral College. In 1846, President Polk’s request
for a Declaration of War against Mexico passed by one vote. A single vote has the power
to change the government. A single vote can decide what is going to happen in the next
five years. Indeed, it can save lives. Then, what forbids voters from saving lives? Is it
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their intimidation, fear, family or friends? It does not matter. The problem is within
them. Their voices are and were meant to be heard, and they hold the reformation of
their country within their hands, no matter how insignificant they think their fingertips
are.
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References
Arrow, K. J. (1951). Social choice and individual values. New haven and London:
Yale University Press
Coronel, S. (2004). Cockfight, horserace, and boxing Match: Why elections are
covered as sport. Manila: Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism
Esposo, M. M. (2010). The biggest campaign spender can also be the worst
Plunderer. The Philippine Star.
Guillermo, A. (1989). “Myths in religion and politics”. The covert presence and
other essays on politics and culture. Manila: Kalikasan Press
Human Existence Cannot Be Silent.
(http://www.justseeds.org/dylan_miner/16human.html)
Huntington, S. P. & Nelson, J. M. (1976). No easy choice: Political participation in
developing countries. Cambridge, Massachusetts, and London, England:
Harvard University Press.
Hyman, H. H. (1959). Political socialization: A study in the psychology of political
behavior. New York: The Free Press, London: Collier-Macmillan Limited
Janis, I. L. & Mann, L. (1977). Decision-making. Illinois: The Free Press (A
division of Macmillan Publishing Co. Inc)
Katz, E. & Lazarsfeld, P. F. (1959). Personal influence. In H. Eulau, S. J.
Eldersveld & M. Janowitz (Eds.), Political behavior: A reader in theory and
research. Illinois: The Free Press.
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Long, S. L. (1981). The handbook of political behavior. New York:
Premium Press
Mandelo, D. (2010, May 22). Interview with Jose Maria Sison.
(http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/05/22/campaign-contributions-pre-
programming-key-to-aquino-victory-sison/)
Noromor, K. M. (2011). Semiotic analysis of selected voters’ view of election
campaign paraphernalia, visual representations, and notions of
governance(Undergraduate thesis). University of the Philippines in Los
Banos.
Pacis, V. A. (1962). Philippine government and politics. Quezon City: Bustamante Press
Pazzibugan, D. (2009, September 16) CBCP affirms stand against bloc-voting.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Presse, A. F. (2010, May 5). (http.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/05/05/10/church-
leaders-wieldpower-philippine-election/)
Republic Act No. 881. (1985). Omnibus Election Code.
(http://www.chanrobles.com/electioncodeofthephilippines.htm)
Republic Act No. 9006. (2001). Fair Elections Act of 2001.
(http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno9006.htm)
Simon, H. A & Stern, F. (1959). Political communication: The effect of television
upon voting behavior in Iowa in 1952 presidential elections. In H. Eulau,
S. J. Eldersveld & M. Janowitz (Eds.), Political behavior: A reader in theory
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and research. Illinois: The Free Press
The Power of One Vote, Your Vote. Use It.
(http://groundupct.wordpress.com/2010/08/10/the-power-of-one-vote-your
-vote-use-it/