The Political Self: Developing Active Citizenship

This section discusses the nature of politics, elements of active citizenship, and how they shape one’s political self. It details how one can become actively involved in political and communal affairs, and how they are significant to the shaping of the self.

As members of society, people are naturally obligated to participate in a political system as social citizens. Politics refers to the actions or activities concerned with achieving and using power in a nation or society. It is also defined as the ways that power is shared in an organization and the ways it is affected by personal relationships between people who work together.
As Aristotle stated, “man is, by nature, a political animal.” This is because man is a social being and that people naturally drawn to various political involvements in order to satisfy their social needs.
Politics as imbibed by man implies several things:

Politics is concerned with power. Power inequalities can be observed within societies. The one who holds power holds influence.
Politics functions based on a particular social economic and cultural context. The nature of politics and political systems is dependent on the culture of the state. Political claims made by advocates are influenced by their geographical location and idealogy.
The political is also personal. One’s personal choices reflect his/her personal politics; both are indistinguishable.
Politics go hand in hand with society. Politics pervades the structure of society, and thus influences inhabitants in their beliefs, ethics, and behavior.

However, the political self is not only shaped by one’s political affiliation or beliefs. One’s sense of accountability should be manifested in promoting certain advocacies through healthy political engagement. This is aligned with the concept of active citizenship.

Active citizenship refers to the structured forms of engagement with political processes and everyday forms of participation in society. It is also defined as the process of sharing decisions that affect one’s life and the life of a community in which one lives. Participation is the fundamental right of citizenship.

Active citizenship is anchored on one’s cognitive and behavioral engagement to participate in formal and informal political activities. Different people manifest different levels of active citizenship; some take a more active approach in making their voices heard.
Active citizenship is a practice of democracy. Democracy should not only be thought of as a form of government. It is a communal system that allows the volitional freedom of citizens to make informed choices that allow them to be heard.
Active citizenship is a social construct. It fosters social relatedness and belongingness.
The most important goal of active citizenship is to instill change and influence society at large.

Active citizenship is also associated with the “sense of community.” People, including adolescents, participate in communal activities because it gives a sense of belonging in a particular group. Active citizenship may facilitate ethnic pride and provide a voice to the woes of their social group.
For the younger generation, active citizenship can contribute to their social development. Engaging in such activities can also enhance efficacy and competence of the younger generation, as they are considered to be the “future leaders” of the society. The participation of the youth in nation-building activities enhances their value orientation and fosters integrity, compassion, and a sense of justice, which are crucial to the holistic development of a citizen of a nation.
Active citizenship helps an individual embrace his/her individuality through the choices he/she makes and the behavior he/she manifests. The political self is a result of various personal and environmental factors that impact the individual. The participation of the youth in political discourse and social activities can result in cultural and political paradigm shifts that may be felt even by future generations. Thus, the future begins now.