Moral Politics in the Philippines Quotes

“In summary, this book proposes the following prescriptions for resisting social fragmentation. First, an expansion of contact zones between multiple public spheres that enables diverse people to interact with one another is needed. Second, while communication continues in these contact zones, conclusive definitions of 'right' and 'wrong' must be deferred in order to prevent further moralization of politics and maintain politics at the level of interests. Third, to construct an order of mutual life-support, a 'soft' mutuality must be nurtured enough through care-based relationships and spontaneous compassion for the vulnerabilities of life.”
― Wataru Kusaka, Moral Politics in the Philippines: Inequality, Democracy and the Urban Poor

“The vulnerabilities of life provide a basis for mutuality precisely because no one enjoys advantages in every aspect of their life.”
― Wataru Kusaka, Moral Politics in the Philippines: Inequality, Democracy and the Urban Poor

“We must take a more critical look at the effects of civic exclusivism, rather than merely critiquing populism. In the past, populism has been criticized for inciting enmity between classes by oversimplifying politics as a conflict between the 'rich' and the 'poor; as well as for inviting social chaos by granting power to irresponsible politicians. Yet, populism is at least capable of contributing to the deepening of democracy insofar as it gives prominence to the issue of socioeconomic inequality and demands its resolution. In contrast, civic exclusivism transforms interclass economic conflicts, which could in practice be mediated through redistribution, into a zero-sum moral antagonism based on a good versus evil. In so doing, it legitimizes the exclusion of the poor, and in this regard, is far more harmful to the deepening of democracy than populism. It may also threaten the consolidation of democracy by fostering the politics of resentment.”
― Wataru Kusaka, Moral Politics in the Philippines: Inequality, Democracy and the Urban Poor