CLEVE ARGUELLES: HIS POLITICAL LIFE AND IDEOLOGY

Cleve Kevin Robert V. Arguelles:

His Political Life and Ideology

Cleofe, Ma. Yvett B.

de Tomas, Xena S.
Garlan, Paul Trishian B.
Gonzales, Diana T.
Lopez, Julio Jr. D.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines Sta. Mesa

CLEVE ARGUELLES: HIS POLITICAL LIFE AND IDEOLOGY

Abstract
The profile review about Cleve Robert V. Arguelles intends to explore certain backgrounds on
his life. This area includes his political ideology and how these beliefs were raised in his mind. Is
his personal perspective affects the ideas he teach to his students?
The researchers use descriptive and qualitative method of gathering data. . The researchers used
primary and secondary data. Primary data are gathered through interview of the subject and
direct observation. The researchers interviewed the subject and the personalities that are involve
to him. A set of structured survey-type question was given as part of the interview. In secondary
data, the researchers gathered background of the subject through accessible public profiles such
as facts from internet websites and news articles.
Keywords: Politics, Review, Ideology

CLEVE ARGUELLES: HIS POLITICAL LIFE AND IDEOLOGY

Cleve Kevin Robert V. Arguelles: His Political Life and Ideology

According to LinkedIn.com profile summary, Cleve Kevin Robert V. Arguelles is a policy
researcher (at Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research, University of the
Philippines - College of Social Work and Community Development, Philippine House of
Representative, and Center for Political and Democratic Reform, Inc.), a university instructor
and lecturer (at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila University of Manila, Polytechnic
University of the Philippines, and University of Caloocan City), a columnist, a writer, and an
activist. He graduated at University of the Philippines Manila consistently as a scholar, having
his Bachelors degree of Arts in Political Science and took his masters degree of Arts in
Philippine Studies.
Cleve Arguelles, during his undergraduate days became an active member of Anak Bayan Party
list. He also became the student regent of University of the Philippines, as a representative and
spokesperson; he served as the voice of the said organization in fighting for the rights and
privileges that each scholar deserves. Also he reviews the political issues with regards to our
government. Recently, he is the spokesperson of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT).

CLEVE ARGUELLES: HIS POLITICAL LIFE AND IDEOLOGY

Background and Purpose of the Study
The further study tackles about how the subject was affected by political views and ideologies
through socialism, how he has been influenced by others and how he adopts these aspects in his
life. The study aims to answer the following questions and put it in the context of politics:

What are the factors that had affected his life being an activist?

Who are the people that had influence his life politically?

Who is Cleve Arguelles?

What is his current perspective in life?

Is his perspective changing in time?

Would be his perspective be the same in the future?

CLEVE ARGUELLES: HIS POLITICAL LIFE AND IDEOLOGY

Theoretical/Analytical Framework
According to Marxist theory, a socialist revolution requires a class conscious working class.
Consequently, most socialist political activity is directed one way or another to raising workers'
consciousness. Yet relatively few Marxists have gone beyond theoretical analysis to studying the
class consciousness of real workers. In part, this is due to the belief, widespread among Marxists,
that such consciousness is a necessary by-product of capitalist economic crisis, or the belief,
equally widespread, that class consciousness can only be observed in political actions (inboth
cases, studying class consciousness now is impossible or irrelevant.)
The second, .teaching as an autonomous profession combines two items concerned with the
effects of central control on teachers, professionalism. This dimension showed moderate
agreement but with double the amount of variation in opinion compared with other factors, that
central control undermines teacher professionalism.
The third factor, teaching as a trusted profession is a very close match to a factor in the
associated group survey. It combines statements about trust, integrity, and the desirability of
having an influential and independent professional body for all teachers, with those teachers
evaluating their work, using their professional judgment and directing other staff in the
classroom. In the teacher survey, however, the two trust items formed a single precise factor,
whereas the other items were not aligned with any particular set of views about teachers
professionalism. (Hargreaves,2000)
Behaviorism/learning theories. Behavioral theories, in their many formats, all describe ways in
which children learn from their environments. These theories are extremely important in
understanding many aspects of social development and will be emphasized heavily throughout

CLEVE ARGUELLES: HIS POLITICAL LIFE AND IDEOLOGY

this course. One version of behaviorism, termed classical conditioning, is about learned
associations (Sawyer, 2011).

CLEVE ARGUELLES: HIS POLITICAL LIFE AND IDEOLOGY

Methodology
This study aims to make a profile review of Cleve Kevin Robert Arguelles, a college instructor.
Descriptive and qualitative method was applied in order to collect data from various resources.
The main goal of the descriptive case study is to assess a sample in detail and in depth, based on
an articulation of a descriptive theory. This method respects the depth and scope of the case
under study which is conveyed through robust proposition and questions. The researchers used
primary and secondary data. Primary data are gathered through interview of the subject and
direct observation. The researchers interviewed the subject and the personalities that are involve
to him. A set of structured survey-type question was given as part of the interview. A
background study of his life was then be conducted. The information drawn from primary
sources are essential in the credibility and maximization of the research conclusion. Moreover, in
terms of secondary data, the researchers gathered background of the subject through accessible
public profiles such as facts from internet websites and news articles.

CLEVE ARGUELLES: HIS POLITICAL LIFE AND IDEOLOGY

Results and Discussion

Cleve Kevin Robert Arguelles defined personality as a collection of circle of identities. As the researchers
asked who the subject is, he referred himself as an activist, teacher and gay. With regards to the first
circle, Arguelles is an activist who pursue structural reforms centered in educational issues and peoples
right which involves marginalize groups. As a teacher, Cleve thinks that teaching is the right profession
for him. He believes that teaching affects many people and teachers shape the mind of the future shapers
of the nation. The last identity depict himself as gay which he called as another characteristics which is
important identity since tries to cease gender boundaries in a community that do not accept
homosexuality.
The second question explored the factors that affect Cleve Arguelles to be an activist. When he was in
first year college, Cleve always condemn activism and he honestly said he was against it before. He even
excludes himself whenever there is a rally conducted in his campus since he believes it was in not the
right thing to do. In his second year, they were required to join an activity with the farmers in San Jose
Del Monte, Bulacan where he experience a lot those changes his perspective. This experience includes the
raise of his consciousness on how hard the life of people living in the area is. He copes with the farmers
there and he realized how they deal with hard situations and how they come up solutions to their everyday
problems. This amazed Cleve Arguelles because he initially thought that those who are against the
government are just shouting their problems off without thinking of a way to get out of their poor living.
He knew he was wrong and additionally, he was overwhelmed by the kindness shown to them by the
farmers who do not have everything but can still give anything they have. Moreover, they are not lazy as
some people point out the reason why they have shortage in necessity; instead, they are just deprived.
Deprived of the fair chances given by society.
The journey he had serves as enlightenment to his new perspective and gave birth to another circle of his
identity which is being an activist. He researched on the issues of the marginalize people and was

CLEVE ARGUELLES: HIS POLITICAL LIFE AND IDEOLOGY

convinced of they are treated unrightfully. From then, he talked about the cases of these people and
spread the words up to different schools. His heart for the marginalized sector made him distinct from
other activist. He was elected as Anak-bayan Spokesperson even he started to be a member for just few
months.
It is not the consciousness of men that determines their being, but, on the contrary, their social being
determines their consciousness. (Marx)
The change of idea of Mr. Arguelles can be related in the Marxist studies of class consciousness. On this
study, exploitation of working class serves as the catalyst for change. The idea that capitalistic system of
the time could be ended and Marx called for a revolution through the working class members. However,
before the start of this make believe that the workers need to develop class consciousness which refers as
the subjective awareness of common interest and the aim of collective political action to bring out social
change. Additionally, based on William James (2001), nature is a factor for acquiring ideas. A youth
grown alone are raised from the material facts of life and a correlative insecurity of consciousness.
Influence can be brought by surroundings and experience.
The third question raised was about his current life perspective in life. He stated that life is short we must
devote it to significant and useful things. Life would be meaningless if it would not be dedicated to the
people who need it the most even though, possibly no one will remember you. In one way or the other
that perspective pushed him to travel that path he is in now. On contrary to what an anonymous person
stated that Class rooms are free of ideologies, he believes that education is the string to professor to the
students and that issues outside are necessary to be able to relate it to daily discussion. He uses critical
pedagogy, teach the students what you believe is right. But he also said that he is willing to change his
beliefs as long as evidences point it was wrong.

Mr. Arguelles teaching style can be related to what Hargreaves concluded that teaching as a
trusted profession is a very close match to a factor in the associated group survey. It combines

CLEVE ARGUELLES: HIS POLITICAL LIFE AND IDEOLOGY

10

statements about trust, integrity, and the desirability of having an influential and independent
professional body for all teachers, with those teachers evaluating their work, using their professional
judgment and directing other staff in the classroom. In the teacher survey, however, the two trust
items formed a single precise factor, whereas the other items were not aligned with any particular set
of views about teachers professionalism. (Hargreaves,2000) .

CLEVE ARGUELLES: HIS POLITICAL LIFE AND IDEOLOGY

11

Conclusion
Experience is a great factor for Cleve Kevin Robert V. Arguelles expression and contribution for
fighting to what he believes is right. From his non-believing perspective to his compassionate
activism; it can be drawn that Mr. Arguelles is an ever changing person that continues to grow into a
much better person. Clearly, he knows who he is, what he wants to do in life and he strives to live
the best he can to achieve his goals for the future but he is not close to change.
In terms of teaching his ideologies he greatly affects his students by how he relates the academic
topics to real life issues. He practices innovative teaching to have spontaneous and continuous
learning inside and outside the classroom. Leaving a quote that Classrooms are place to mold minds
of students.

CLEVE ARGUELLES: HIS POLITICAL LIFE AND IDEOLOGY

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