Political Systems and Governance

Leaders of Government

• Governance typically rests with the President or Prime Minister.

A Government of the "Few"

• Aristocracy: Power held by a small, privileged ruling class. The term originates from Greek "aristokratia", meaning "rule of the best".
• Oligarchy: Governance by a small group, often wealthy elites. This system can exploit the poor and marginalized, reflecting despotic tendencies for selfish gains.

A Government of the "Many"

• Democracy: A system governed by the people, defined by Abraham Lincoln as "government of the people, by the people, and for the people". Power is vested in the majority.
• Direct Democracy: Citizens vote directly on issues; no modern nation operates solely on this model.
• Representative Democracy: Citizens elect representatives to create laws and manage governance, seen as the most efficient method to uphold individual rights.

Source of Power

• Hereditary Monarchy: Monarchies designate succession based on predetermined rules, established by constitutions or parliamentary acts, or familial lines.
• Elective Monarchy: Rulers are elected through popular vote.

Political Structure

• Parliamentary Government: The cabinet is accountable to the legislature, particularly the popular chamber, reflecting immediate responsibility to the electorate. The Prime Minister leads and is part of the majority party.
• Presidential Government/Republican: This system features a President with constitutional independence from the legislature, unlike parliamentary models. The Philippines operates under a Presidential Government.

Legality or Constitutionality

• No specific details provided, but legality and constitutionality are fundamental aspects of governance structures.

Government

• A formal organization with the authority to make political decisions within a specific system.
• Serves as the primary vehicle for governance, acting as an agency for change and mobilization.

Governance

• Broadly defined as the exercise of authoritative direction or control over a political unit or organization.
• Encompasses all processes of governance, including those by governments, markets, and networks, over various entities such as families and organizations.
• Involves the management of economic and social resources, highlighting how power is exercised.
• Good governance emphasizes accountability, based on the principle "Public office is public trust."
• The World Bank offers a comprehensive approach to understanding governance.

Domains of Governance

• The State

  • Acts as the principal actor in governance and leads in government operations.

• Local Government

  • Comprises provincial, municipal, city, and barangay levels, deriving authority from the 1987 Constitution and the Local Government Code of 1991.
  • Responsible for administering localities as defined by law.

• Private Corporations and Business Organizations

  • Regarded as crucial for governance, they provide financial resources through donations, grants, or loans for community projects.

• Civil Society

  • Represents organizations advocating for various causes, often considered the "third sector" as they are frequently overlooked or neglected in governance discussions.

Explore the various forms of government, including democracy, oligarchy, and aristocracy. This quiz covers the roles of leaders, sources of power, and the principles that define different political systems. Test your understanding of how governance operates across societies.