Crab mentality or crabs in a bucket (also barrel, basket or pot) is a way of thinking best described by the phrase "if I can't have it, neither can you."
The metaphor refers to a pot of crabs in which one tries to escape over the side, but is relentlessly pulled down by the others in the pot. They are dragging down each other so that no one only can escape. In analogy to human behavior, it is when members of a group will attempt to "pull down" any member who achieves success beyond the others, out of envy, greed, spite, conspiracy or competitive feelings.
This trait is a big hindrance for the Philippines to progress and keeping behind compare to other neighboring Asian countries in terms of development. Crab mentality is quite common trait for Filipinos especially to the politicians and businessmens.
For politics the obvious example is for everything that administration does, expect the opposition to put a negative spin on it. Every time a leader goes out and do something for the people, those not in the team will fervently hope it won’t be a success. How can we succeed if we always hope nothing good for our leaders in doing their job? Even worst social problems are being left behind and put a side, focusing on both parties how will they drag each other down by nonsense, fallacy and hypocrite accusations. Why does wasting time looking flaws to be used againts each other when they are bombareded with tons of social issues that never been solved and getting worst? To think they are in responsibility to somehow solved these problems. What a waste of power to be just used in messing other politicians' reputation and compensating the walfare of its citizens.
And for the those businessmen, this trait are used as strategy for the success of there business. They made and spread fabricated rumors just to drag down there competitors. Small businessmen are the one who always suffered with this unhealthy competition due to lack of support. They are the one who got ruined when they just only dreamed to have a small time business. This trait could really affect the economy because these businesses contribute the nations' succes but when it becomes unbalance the economy and people will be compensated.
Crab mentality is strongly driven with self-desire. If all the people in a nation will have this kind of bad habit, the nation won't and will never succeed. It takes teamwork and each peoples' support. It is about unselfishly giving others a hand to achieve. Crab mentality is a bad habit and must be stopped in the person's mind for the benefit of ourselves.
Thank you so much for reading this out, hope it could help. Have a good day and Godbless