Advantages of Being Political Science Graduate Politicians to Their Political Career

Hemsley B. Gup-ay

Saint Louis University, Baguio City

General Problem: What are the advantages of being Political Science graduate politicians to their
political career?

Specific Problem 1: What makes a politician who is a graduate of Pol Sci, more knowledgeable
on political matters as compared to non-Pol Sci graduate politicians and what is its weakness
despite being knowledgeable on political matters?

Specific Problem 2: What are the roles of Pol Sci as a course to ones political career and how do
Pol Sci graduate politicians solve their political problems using the said course?
Discussion and Analysis

The research have 3 participants, these participants are all taking Bachelor of Arts Major
in Political Science at Saint Louis University, Baguio City. They are all in third year level. The
research had 2 male participants namely Valen Ranoy and Judie Marquez. The third participant
is a female namely Rubelyn Juan. The in-depth interview was held at Saint Louis University
specifically at Navy Base Camus and was facilitated on October 25-December 05, 2015.

A. Discussion of the Common Answers

The common answer in question number 1 regarding the unique attributes of Pol Sci graduate
politicians which all the three participants agreed on during the interview is wider broad of
knowledge in politics. Pol Sci graduate politicians had a wider broad of knowledge because
during their college life, they are all expose to political concept and political theories as part of
the curriculum in Political Science.

The common answer in question 2 regarding the strengths of Pol Sci graduate politicians which
all the three participants agreed on during the interview is being knowledgeable on political
matters. Being knowledgeable on political matters helps a politician to know what to do in his or
her political career especially in decision making since the decision can greatly affect the people
that are being ruled. By being knowledgeable on political matters, a politician can perform well
in his or her political career.

The common answer in question 3 regarding the perks being Pol Sci graduate politicians is
expert in political matters. Like in question 2, being a Pol Sci graduate politician makes you
more knowledgeable in political matters and by being knowledgeable in political matters, that
politician can be expert in political matters as well since that politician was exposed to political
concepts during his or her college life while studying Bachelor of Arts Major in Political
Science.

The common answer in question 4 regarding the disadvantages of being Pol Sci graduate
politicians is that he or she may use his or her basic knowledge on politics for self-interest. Since
Pol Sci graduate politicians is knowledgeable and expert in political matters as was discussed
above according to the three participants, this possession of knowledge in politics can be used by
them to gain their own selfish interest just like in the form of corruption since they already know
the art of politics.

The common answer in question 5 regarding the basic knowledge those Pol Sci graduate
politicians may apply in his or her political career to become a good leader is idea of The Prince
in which a leader should be feared but not hated. The three participants believed that in order for
politician to be a good leader, he or she must be feared because if that said leader is not feared,
he or she can be abused by the people because that politician is being kind at all times. The
respondents is not saying that being kind is bad but what they are emphasizing is that the
politician should show a character to the people that makes him or her a feared leader to avoid
abused from the people.

The common answer in question 6 regarding the roles of Pol Sci as a course to ones political
career is that it helps politicians to make good decisions. The course Pol Sci helps Pol Sci
graduate politicians to execute a good decision because Pol Sci graduate politicians are flexible
thinker since during their college life, they were mold to think deeply just like in making of
researches and in answering essay questions.

The common answer in question 7 regarding on when do Pol Sci graduate politicians apply his or
her knowledge on Political Science in his or her political career is in times of solving political
problems. As what was said by the three respondents, Pol Sci graduate politicians are flexible
thinker because they were mold to think deeply during their college life. Pol Sci graduate
politicians can apply knowledge on Pol Sci when solving problems because they can
comprehend and study well the problems to find solution since they are a flexible thinker.

The common answer in question 8 regarding on how do Pol Sci graduate politicians solve their
political problems is by knowing the source of the problem. According to the respondents, the
most effective way to solve problems is to trace the root or the source of it in order to avoid the
waste of time and resources. By knowing the source of the problem, it leads to the end of the
problem including the secondary sources of the said problem.
B. Discussion of the Uncommon Answers

There are three uncommon answers in question 1. The first is being a critical thinker. Being a
critical thinker is not a unique attributes of Pol Sci graduate politicians because even non-Pol Sci
graduate politicians do also possess the ability to think critically because they are a rational being
as well. The second uncommon answer is being aware on current event. This is not a unique
attribute because even non-Pol Sci graduate politicians also knows or aware of the current event
that is happening in the Philippines and the whole part of the world because of the news in the
televisions, newspapers, radios and by the social media. Lastly, is by being expert in conducting
researches. This is not a unique attribute because even non-Pol Sci graduate politicians also
conduct researches in their college life despite what course they took because one of the major
prerequisite or requirement for a college student to graduate is to make and defend his or her
thesis.

In question 2, there are five uncommon answers. The first is knows the dos and donts in politics.
This is not a strength because even non-Pol Sci graduate politicians can knows the dos and
donts in politics by seeking advice to political experts and by reading books regarding politics.
The second uncommon answer is politically oriented. Even non-Pol Sci graduate politicians can
be politically oriented by knowing the current trends and events in the Philippines and in the
whole world. Non-Pol Sci graduate politicians can be politically oriented by means of
participating public events and by responding to the aspirations of the people. The third is the
degree itself which is Political Science. This is not a strength because other courses may also be
a strength to non-Pol Sci graduate politicians just like politicians who are accountants. Their
course can be a strength in terms of solving issues in their political career regarding financial
problems. The last two uncommon answers are political awareness and political maturity. These
two are related with each other. This is not a strength because even non-Pol Sci graduate
politicians can be politically aware and politically mature by knowing the current events and by
participating in public events as was mentioned above.

There are three uncommon answers in question 3. The first one is by being expert in campaign
strategies. This is not a perks of being a Pol Sci graduate politicians because even non-Pol Sci
graduate politicians can be expert in campaign strategies because it is self-learned. Money can
also affect campaign strategies because if a politician has a lot of money he or she may have
good campaign strategies. The second uncommon answer is that easily fain vote during
campaign. This is not a perks of being a Pol Sci graduate politicians because the electorates dont
just only votes politicians basing it on educational background but also based on the attitude or
sometimes based on the money the politician has because vote buying is still rampant in the
Philippines during elections. Last is expert in campaign mapping. Again, even non-Pol Sci
graduate politicians can be expert in campaign mapping because it is self- learned.

In question 4, there is only one uncommon answer and that is thinking too many which results to
less action. This is not the only disadvantage of being Pol Sci graduate politicians because it can
also be the disadvantage of non-Pol Sci graduate politicians. All people are rational being which
means it includes the politicians. By being a rational being, it is unavoidable not to think too
much and because of this thinking too much, less actions are being made or executed.

There are four uncommon answers in question number 5. The first one is Marxism specifically
social equality. Pol Sci graduate politicians are not only the one who promote social equality.
Even non-Pol Sci graduate politicians can promote social equality like promoting equal rights to
men and women and by promoting equal rights of the rich and the poor. The second uncommon
answer is Public Administration. Public Administration is not only offered to Pol Sci students
but also in other courses and in fact Public Administration is a course itself. It can be applied by
the non-Pol Sci graduate politicians in their political career to have a good management of their
leadership. Third is political knowledge. Pol Sci graduate politicians are not only the one who
has political knowledge. Even non-Pol Sci graduate politicians can have a glimpse of political
knowledge by reading books and they can apply it to be a good leader in their political career.
Last uncommon answer for question 5 is the Idea of John Locke specifically libertarianism. Pol
Sci graduate politicians are not only the one who promote libertarianism. Even non-Pol Sci
graduate politicians can also be libertarian by allowing the people to say what they want and
what they asked for.

Three uncommon answers are found in question 6. The first one is that it helps Pol Sci graduate
politicians to be a flexible thinker. Pol Sci as a course is not the only course which helps
politicians to be a flexible thinker. Even other courses can help non-Pol Sci graduate politicians
to be a flexible thinker. The second uncommon answer is that it helps Pol Sci graduate
politicians to be socially active. Well, even non-Pol Sci graduate politicians are socially active by
participating to public events and by knowing the current events. The last uncommon answer for
question 6 is that it helps Pol Sci politicians know what to do in the future. This can be also a
role of other courses to non-Pol Sci graduate politicians because knowing what to do in the
future is self-learned.

There are three uncommon answers in question 7. The first uncommon answer is every time. Not
all Pol Sci graduate politicians use their knowledge on Pol Sci every time because there are times
that Pol Sci graduate politicians dont use their knowledge on Pol Sci specifically when dealing
issue of morality because what they use in the teachings of the church at some points. The two
last uncommon answers which are related to each other are during term of office and during
campaign periods.. The Pol Sci graduate politicians knowledge on Pol Sci cannot not only
applied in his or her term of office and during campaign period but also when he or he is not in
the position anymore.

In question 8, there are also three uncommon answers. The first one is by being a critical thinker
and flexible thinker. When solving political problems, Pol Sci graduate politicians are not only
the one who are critical thinker and flexible thinker but also the non-Pol Sci graduate politicians.
The second uncommon answer is by going to the masses to discuss the problem. This way of
solving problem is also conducted by the non-Pol Sci graduate politicians not only by the Pol Sci
graduate politicians. And lastly is by having the genuine passion to do public service. All
politicians which include the Pol Sci graduate politicians and non-Pol Sci graduate politicians do
these in solving political problems. This shows that this way of solving problem is not unique to
Pol Sci graduate politicians.

C. Discussion of the First Specific Question

The first specific question is what makes a politician who is a graduate of Pol Sci, more
knowledgeable on political matters as compared to non-Pol Sci graduate politicians and what is
its weakness despite being knowledgeable on political matters? Based on the conducted in-depth
interview with the respondents, there four factors which makes a Pol Sci graduate politicians
more knowledgeable on political matters as compared to non-Pol Sci graduate politicians. These
four factors are focus on the unique attributes of Pol Sci graduate politicians, strengths of Pol Sci
graduate politicians, perks of being Pol Sci graduate politicians, and lastly is the basic knowledge
that Pol Sci graduate politicians that he or she apply in his or her political career in becoming a
good leader.

First of all, the unique attributes of Pol Sci graduate politicians which make him or her more
knowledgeable on political matters compared to non-Pol Sci graduate politicians is his or her
wider broad ok knowledge in politics. A Pol Sci graduate politician has a wider broad of
knowledge because he or she was exposed to political concepts during his or her college life.
Second factor was the strengths of Pol Sci graduate politicians. This strength as was identified by
the three respondents during the interview is being knowledgeable in political matters. This
strength as was identified earlier made Pol Sci graduate politicians more knowledgeable on
political matters as compared to non-Pol Sci graduate politicians. The third factor was perks of
being Pol Sci graduate politicians. This perk is by being expert in political matters. The fourth
factor is the basic knowledge that Pol Sci graduate politicians that he or she apply in his or her
political career in becoming a good leader. This basic knowledge that a Pol Sci graduate
politicians apply in his or her political career is the concept of The Prince. To be specific, this is
the idea of being feared but not hated. These identified four factors as was mentioned above are
the reason which makes Pol Sci graduate politicians more knowledgeable on political matters as
compared to non-Pol Sci graduate politicians.The answer to the follow up question of the first
specific question is that the weakness of Pol Sci graduate politicians despite him or her being
knowledgeable on political matters is that he or she can use his or her basic knowledge in politics
to gain self-interest that can be in a form of corruption.

The answers of the respondents or the findings can be explained using the interpretive theory or
by means of interpretive approach. The respondents believed that Pol Sci graduate politicians are
more knowledgeable on political matters as compared to non-Pol Sci graduate politicians. To
further understand why they believed it, their belief must be interpreted in a deeper
understanding basing it on the context of the respondents. Using the interpretive theory or the
interpretive approach, the reason why they agreed can be found in the expression of their belief.
The respondents interpretation of their belief is that since Pol Sci graduate politicians are
exposed on political concepts or discussions during their college life, this exposure on political
concepts or discussions molded them to become more knowledgeable on political matters as
compared to non-Pol Sci graduate politicians. But due to their exposure on political concepts,
this knowledge of them can be used by them to gain their own selfish interest and it can be in the
form of corruption. The interpretation of their belief is based on the disposition of the
interviewee. Based on the interpretive approach, the respondents belief manifested the reason
why they agreed that those Pol Sci graduate politicians are more knowledgeable on political
matters as compared to non-Pol Sci graduate politicians.

D. Discussion of the Second Specific Question

The second specific question is what are the roles of Pol Sci as a course to ones political career
and how do Pol Sci graduate politicians solve their political problems using the said course? The
role of Political Science as a course to ones political career is that it helps politicians to come up
with a good decision that was been perfectly decided upon the circumstances that surrounded the
Pol Sci graduate politician. The interviewee believes that the course Political Science helps Pol
Sci graduate politician to make good decisions. Thus, Political Science as a course molds Pol Sci
graduate politician to become a good decision maker. The answer to the follow up question of
the second specific question is by knowing the source of the problem. One of the time on when
do Pol Sci graduate politicians apply his or her knowledge on Political Science in his or her
political career is during time of solving problems. Knowing the source of the problem is the
most effective way on how Pol Sci graduate politicians solve their political problems which is
according to the three interviewees.

The answers of the respondents or the findings can be explained using the interpretive theory or
by means of interpretive approach. The respondents believed that the most important role of
Political Science as a course to ones political career is that it helps politicians to come up with a
good decision that was been perfectly decided upon the circumstances that surrounded the Pol
Sci graduate politician. Using the interpretive theory or the interpretive approach, the reason why
the respondents chose the said answer can also be rooted in their belief. The respondents
interpretation of their belief is that Political Science as a course had molded Pol Sci graduate
politicians to be a flexible thinker. By being a flexible thinker, it can help a Pol Sci graduate
politicians to make good decisions despite the pressure that surrounds him or her because in the
first place, he or she was already been a flexible thinker. The interpretation of their belief is
based on the disposition of the interviewee. Based on the interpretive approach, the respondents
belief manifested the reason why they agreed that that the most important role of Political
Science as a course to ones political career is that it helps politicians to come up with a good
decision.

The respondents also belief that the most effective way on how Pol Sci graduate politicians
solves political problem is by tracing the source of the problem. Basing it on the interviewees
disposition, the interpretation of that belief is can be seen in reality or personal experience in
which in order to solve the problem, the source of the problem must be traced in order to come
up with the best solution in ending the said problem. In interpreting the answer of the
respondents in real life, no matter how you solve the problem without knowing the source, the
problem will still occurs because the source of the problem is not yet traced and no best solution
will be done to end the problem. Based on the interpretive approach, the respondents belief
manifested the reason why they chose that knowing the source of the problem is the most
effective way on how Pol Sci graduates politicians solves their political problem.

E. Discussion of the General Problem

Appendices
QUESTIONS LABELS/ INTERVIEWEE
CODES 1st 2nd 3rd
1. What are the a. Critical thinker 1 0 0
unique attributes b. Wider broad of knowledge in politics 1 1 1
of Pol Sci graduate c. Knows current events 1 0 0
politicians? d. Expert in research 0 1 0
2. What are the a. Knowledgeable on political matters 1 1 1
strengths of Pol b. Knows the dos and donts in politics 1 0 0
Sci graduate c. Politically oriented 1 0 0
politicians? d. The degree itself (BA Pol Sci) 0 1 0
e. Political awareness 0 1 0
f. Political maturity 0 1 0
3. What are the a. Expert in campaign strategies 1 0 0
perks being a Pol b. Expert in political matters 1 1 1
Sci graduate c. Easily gain vote during elections 0 1 0
politicians? d. Expert in campaign mapping 0 1 0
4. What are the a. Uses basic knowledge on politics for self-interest 1 1 1
disadvantages of
being Pol Sci b. Thinking too much which results to less action 0 1 0
graduate
politicians?
5. What are the a. The Prince: leader should be feared but not hated 1 1 1
basic knowledge
that Pol Sci b. Marxism: social equality 1 0 0
graduate
politicians may c. Public Administration 0 1 1
apply in his
political career to d. Political knowledge 0 1 1
become a good
e. John Locke: Libertarianism 0 1 1
leader?
6. What are the a. Helps politicians to be a flexible thinker 1 0 0
roles of Pol Sci as b. Helps politicians to be socially active 1 0 1
a course to ones c. Helps politicians to make good decisions 1 1 1
political career? d. Helps politicians know what to do in the future 0 1 0
7. When do Pol Sci a. Every time 0 1 1
graduate
politicians apply b. During term of office 0 1 0
his/her knowledge
on Political c. During campaign period 0 1 0
Science in his/her d. In times of solving problems 1 1 1
political career?
8. How do Pol Sci a. Be a critical and flexible thinker 1 1 0
graduate b. Know the source of the problem 1 1 1
politicians solve c. Go to the masses and discuss the problem 0 `1 0
their political
problems?
d. Have commitment in finding solution 0 1 0