The Philippines’ Crayon Box Politics

Summary

The speaker critiques the phenomenon of 'crayon box politics' in the Philippines, where political loyalty is driven by personal branding and symbolic colors rather than ideological values. Colors like red (Marcos) and yellow (Aquino) represent powerful political dynasties, influencing voters based on perceptions of strength, wealth, or charisma. This system fosters patronage and group loyalty, diverting attention from real policy discussions. The speaker calls for greater awareness of these manipulations, advocating for voters to focus on platforms and policies instead of superficial traits, emphasizing the need for change even in small, seemingly trivial aspects of politics.

Takeaways

• 😀 Political colors in the Philippines, particularly red and yellow, represent distinct political ideologies: red for authoritarianism (Marcos) and yellow for liberalism (Aquino).
• 😀 These political colors are more than just family symbols; they reflect the larger ideological divide between the country's two major political dynasties.
• 😀 The term 'crayon box politics' is used to describe how political choices in the Philippines are often based on personality traits rather than ideology.
• 😀 Voters tend to choose political candidates based on superficial traits such as strength, wealth, or appearance rather than clear political platforms.
• 😀 This focus on personality over ideology can lead to political decisions driven by personal branding rather than meaningful political discourse.
• 😀 Political figures use colors strategically as a form of patronage, where public services and branding are used to create loyalty and identity among voters.
• 😀 Mayor Alice Go’s use of pink for her municipal hall is an example of how politicians use color to strengthen their personal brand and create an emotional connection with the public.
• 😀 Political loyalty in the Philippines is often tied to the color of the politician's campaign, with voters identifying themselves with specific colors as a form of group identity.
• 😀 The repeated use of political colors, like red and yellow, during election seasons reinforces these group identities and political divides, further entrenching partisan loyalty.
• 😀 The speaker calls for a change in how voters perceive political candidates, urging a shift away from color-based loyalty and towards a focus on platforms and policies.
• 😀 The critique of crayon box politics emphasizes the need for greater awareness and reform in how political choices are made, beginning with smaller actions like reconsidering the role of colors in politics.

Q & A

What does the speaker mean by 'crayon box politics'?

The term 'crayon box politics' refers to the way voters in the Philippines choose political candidates based on personal traits (like strength or wealth) rather than ideological or policy considerations. The candidates are seen as individual entities, like crayons in a box, where the choice is based on personality rather than political alignment.

How do the colors yellow and red symbolize political ideologies in the Philippines?

Yellow represents liberalism, associated with the Aquino family, while red represents authoritarianism, linked to the Marcos family. These colors have become symbolic of the political dynasties and their contrasting ideologies.

What is the issue with 'personality politics' as discussed in the transcript?

The issue with personality politics is that it shifts the focus from policy or ideology to personal traits of candidates. This leads to voters choosing based on superficial factors such as a candidate’s appearance, wealth, or perceived strength, rather than their political platform or qualifications.

Why does the speaker emphasize the use of color in political campaigns?

The speaker highlights how political colors are used as tools for branding and building loyalty. By associating a color with a candidate or political family, it becomes a symbol of group identity, helping politicians garner support and influence, often through patronage.

What example does the speaker use to demonstrate the impact of color on public perception?

The speaker references Mayor Alice Go, who painted the Municipal Hall pink to capitalize on the impact of color in shaping public recall and loyalty. By using pink, Go created a recognizable symbol that linked her leadership with the color and fostered loyalty among constituents.

How does the use of color in politics create group identity?

Colors become a means of identifying with a particular political group. For example, the colors red and green on social media or at rallies are used to signify loyalty to a particular political faction, thus fostering a sense of belonging and division among people.

What is the role of patronage in Philippine politics, according to the transcript?

Patronage in Philippine politics refers to the way elected officials use their public service and resources to create a sense of indebtedness among voters. Politicians often use personal branding and the loyalty built through symbols like color to maintain power and influence in their constituencies.

What does the speaker suggest should be the focus of political reform?

The speaker suggests that political reform should focus on shifting from personality-based politics to platform-based politics. Voters should prioritize candidates' political platforms and ideologies over personal traits or branding, with the ultimate goal of creating a more substantive and policy-driven political system.

Why does the speaker argue that small changes are necessary for systemic reform?

The speaker believes that small changes, such as increasing awareness of how color and branding influence political decisions, can be the first step toward larger systemic reform. By addressing these seemingly minor issues, voters and politicians can begin to shift towards a more focused and policy-oriented political landscape.

How do the Marcos family and Aquino family use color to their advantage in politics?

Both the Marcos and Aquino families have used color as a tool to reinforce their political identity and influence. The Marcoses have consistently used the color red to symbolize their power and authority, while the Aquinos use yellow to represent their liberal ideals. This color association helps maintain their political legacy and reinforces their political brand.