抄録
This paper analyzes moral conflicts between the middle class and the poor in Philippine politics through a discursive construction of the “we/they” consciousness. These moral conflicts have not been explored in earlier studies, which either regard the middle class and civil society as democratic factors or examine class conflicts solely in terms of interest distribution. This paper provides an analytical framework that explains the construction of a “we/they” consciousness in a class-divided “dual public sphere.” I analyze these discourses in relation to several political issues and conclude by arguing that the moral conflicts between the collective consciousnesses of “we/they” relations have undermined popular support for democracy.
The middle class generally associates “we” with “citizen,” and regards itself as a purveyor and defender of democracy. It views the “poor” (“them”) as lacking the appropriate morals and education to make similar claims. In fact, for the middle class, the poor are often responsible for undermining democracy. On the other hand, the poor associate “we” with “the masses,” who despite their upright morality, have been marginalized, despised or ignored by the selfish and cold-hearted “rich” (“them”). For the poor, the culprits behind democratic deterioration are the rich.
This moral conflict denies the legitimacy of others and is undermining popular trust in democracy, which inherently demands the acceptance of “them” as legitimate adversaries.
