The Production of Homo Economicus in the Public Spheres of the Filipino Masses and Middle Class

Vincent Casil

doi:10.57106/scientia.v11i1.11

Authors

Vincent Casil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.57106/scientia.v11i1.11

Keywords:

Subjectivity, Homo economicus, Capitalism, middle class, mass sphere

Abstract

One way to address the question of how subjects are being shaped in capitalist society is to examine how individuals embrace the ideals of homo economicus. The paper contributes to the discussion of capitalist subjectivity by examining how the ideals of homo economicus are being embraced by the two diverging public spheres in the Philippines: the masses and the middle class. Drawing from the study of the moral politics of the Filipino people and highlighting factors such as livelihood and linguistic condition as important social factors, the paper claims that although the ideals of self-entrepreneur can be observed in the middle-class sphere, they rather have a limited influence in the mass sphere. Premised on those points, the paper further notes the significance of the integrative approach addressing the issue of the formation of subjectivity. In the end, these explorations offer a possible way to move beyond the problematic morals and subjectivities promoted by capitalism.

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