The Art of Simulated Perspective

It makes sense to say that the term Globalization is far more diverse
and flexible than what most of us would define it. Accordingly, it has been a
term introduced in our society even in the past. Today, the effects of
globalization are felt in different disciplines and surely, it has revolutionized
the way people perceives the world.
In relation thereto, this essay will focus on how, in an age where
paradigm shifts are so welcomed, a law student as well as the law school he
is affiliated with, may be able to blend and progress effectively especially
that the field of law is more than ever being transformed by this so-called
concept.
The recent news about MH17 missile bombing and the untimely
demise of its innocent victims has been one of the many tragic eye openers
for nations to become more vigilant of their surroundings as well as to trash
the apathetic kind of attitude with regard to matters that concerns almost
every people of every nation. The fact that the trial of human rights
violations had been transferred from the international realm to a domestic
one has been one of the effects of globalization. Our country, as provided for
in the Constitution, is definitely bound to adhere to the generally accepted
principles of international law. Moreover, just as every nations actions
readily affect others of equal standing, the same idea may find its application
in our Statethat every sectors positive act largely affects the manner of
how society works.
It is worth considering that most law schools in the Philippines practice
a Socratic method in teaching law to their students. Most, if not all, practice
negative reinforcement in order to get students into studying and striving
moreeven though the reality is, every law student has a personality distinct
from each of their peers. Such method often leads to the students
questioning their own abilities and capacities as a person because they now
use their peers achievements as a benchmark of how they perform well in
class. Such experience is what sociologist Samuel Stouffer termed as
relative deprivation. The point, according to Stouffer is that, we form our
impressions not globally, by placing ourselves in the broadest possible
context, but locallyby comparing ourselves to people in the same boat as
ourselves.1
1 Malcom Gladwell, David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and The Art of Battling
Giants, Little Brown and Company, 2013.

In connection thereto, a theory called The Big Fish-Little Pond

pioneered by psychologist Herbert Marsh, states that the more elite an
educational institution is, the worse students feel about their own academic
abilities. Students who would be at the top of their class at a good school can
easily fall to the bottom of a really good school. Students who would feel that
they have mastered a subject at a good school can have the feeling that
they are falling farther and farther behind in a really good school. And that
feelingas subjective and ridiculous and irrational as it may bematters.2
The point here is that, as much as law schools insist on negative
reinforcement as a teaching methodology, it would be insightful to know that
a change into a more global way of thinking will help reshape students
minds to excel more in their chosen field if their abilities would be measured
individually rather than in a collective manner. In this way, they will in return
be more globally competitive because they see themselves not just in their
present status but more so in their future state. This will eventually help the
country produce more lawyers who, instead of being hostile of their
opponents in courts because they come from different law schools, would be
more appreciating and acknowledging of one another thereby cultivating a
culture of courtesy and respect. In this way, law students will not just live
with a local state of mind but they would be more concerned of how the
world works and integrate themselves with every possible change that time
offers, which brings this essay to its next point.
It is true that years spent in law school are consumed within the
confines of libraries and classrooms. In law schools, students are as if in a
different sphere wherein all they could be mindful about are the recitations,
quizzes, and long essay examinations. And yet, globalization as a concept is
not only confined in theories and ideologies. As Ralf Michaels puts it,
paradigm shifts happen neither in reality nor in ideology but in our ways of
understanding the world.3 With the advent of new technology, there are
various ways that information may be grasped nowadays. The author
believes that this is what our country and our world needa generation of
law students who are vigilant enough to know and to intervene for people
especially the defenseless; a generation that not only aims to be above their
colleagues but a group that continuously carries a burden of assisting others
whenever they can. Moreover, the key here is not to overcome but rather, to
2 Ibid.,
3 Ralf Michaels, Globalization and Law: Law Beyond the State.

cope and help others to do the same even if that means sacrificing ones
own time to read a chapter of his/her law books. Just as international laws
and guidelines are being innovated continuously to be complementary with
globalization, one must see to it that he/she is not only being mindful of
his/her current situation. Indeed, if we have a better understanding of the
world, then adapting to different kinds of circumstances will be an ease.
In conclusion, everyone is interconnected with each other. Also, just as much
as the Philippines and its law system had been adaptive of changes in the
past, it is more than ever ready to face an innovation today. We had been
ready before, there is no way that we cannot today.
Written By: Roxanne G. Domingo, San Sebastian College-Recoletos College of
Law