Sincerity as a Political Logic: Explaining the Poor’s Support for Populism in Metro Manila

• In Event: 139 - Regular Session. Cross-National Sociology

Abstract

Why do the poor respond to some populist appeals and not others? Scholars typically explain populist support by highlighting the tactics employed by leaders. This explanation, however, cannot tell us why the poor discriminate among leaders employing similar tactics. I consider the question with respect to the Philippine populist Joseph Estrada. My data include interviews with the poor in Metro Manila, direct observation of Estrada’s interaction with the poor, and focused comparisons with other Philippine politicians employing populist tactics. I find that the poor support Estrada because they perceive him to be sincere, someone who cares about them beyond electoral considerations. They see him as sincere because his political performance engages their expectations and has proven coherent over time. Estrada is seen as treating them with consideration and respect not just during election season but consistently and “naturally,” as an expression of a deeply held disposition towards the poor. Because the poor see him as sincere, they believe him. A theory of sincerity represents a distinctly sociological approach to the problem of political belief. It conceives political belief as emerging within a social relationship and contingent as much on the savvy of supporters as on the skill of leaders.

Author

• Marco Z Garrido, University of Chicago