The Online Community Backlash Study Notes

Project Overview: This presentation is titled "The Online Community Backlash" and was prepared by Group 10 for the course "Fundamentals of Political Science."
Scenario Details:
- The Incident: A CEO representing a local brand posted discriminatory comments on the internet.
- The Reaction: The comments triggered significant public upset, resulting in a coordinated boycott.
- Communication Platforms: The backlash primarily organized and spread through social media platforms, specifically TikTok and X (formerly Twitter).
- The Objective: Participants in the boycott encouraged others to cease purchasing the brand's products. The goal was to maintain this economic pressure until the company issued a formal apology.

Filipino Social Characteristics: In the context of this scenario, the reaction highlights specific traits of Filipinos as social beings:
- Expression of Opinion: Filipinos demonstrate a strong inclination toward sharing their personal opinions publicly.
- Unity and Collective Goal Alignment: Individuals worked in unison, converging toward a single, shared purpose.
- Online Support Systems: Social media users supported one another throughout the digital campaign.
- Underlying Values: The movement was driven by a collective desire for fairness and respect.
Synthesis: The situation serves as evidence that Filipinos are inherently social beings. They possess the capacity to unite and assist one another to enact tangible change.
Political Science Connection: From a political standpoint, this case illustrates how people can collaborate to address systemic problems and ensure their collective voices are heard by those in power.

Rational Decision-Making Process:
- Strategic Choice: The community deliberately decided to engage in a boycott rather than an emotional or disorganized response.
- Causal Reasoning: Participants believed that the boycott would serve as an effective mechanism to force the company to listen to their grievances.
- Desired Outcomes: The rational aim was to compel the company to apologize and implement structural changes.
Synthesis: The evidence suggests that the individuals involved thought carefully before taking action. They consciously selected a peaceful method—a boycott—to demonstrate their collective opinion and achieve their goals.
Political Science Connection: This demonstrates the principle that individuals are rational actors. They analyze situations before making decisions and select specific actions they believe are most likely to solve a given problem.

Areas of Study for Political Scientists: When examining this scenario, a political scientist focuses on several key variables:
- Social Media Impact: Analyzing how digital platforms influence human behavior and political mobilization.
- Citizen Influence over Businesses: Investigating the power dynamics between the citizenry and corporate entities.
- Public Opinion as a Catalyst: Studying the ways in which public sentiment can be harnessed to force societal or corporate change.
- Exercise of Civil Liberties: Evaluating how individuals utilize their freedom of speech to influence the landscape.
Synthesis: A political scientist would primarily investigate the methodologies people use on social media to exert influence over others and demand accountability from leadership figures and organizations.

The Power of Collective Action: "The Online Community Backlash" serves as a definitive example showing that people possess significant power when they work in coordination.
Fundamental Biological and Philosophical Assumptions: In the study of Political Science, it is established that human beings are fundamentally both social and rational beings.
Societal Impact: By exercising their right to speak up and collaborating with one another, citizens serve as agents of positive change within society.