Understanding Politics and Power Dynamics

Politics - Laswell (1936)

• Politics involves determining who gets what, when, and how
• It considers people's different wants, scarce resources, and the power to make decisions
• Politics is an ongoing process of human engagement and interaction
• Man is, by nature, a political animal, as stated by Aristotle
• Politics shapes interactions, power relations, and decision-making across various domains

Politics - Heywood (2013)

• Politics is how people create, maintain, and change the rules they live under
• Rules provide the foundation for social order and govern behavior
• Rules are subject to change over time

Power

• Power is when one entity can make another do something
• Power is the ability to influence and shape others' behavior

Three Faces of Power

• Power as decision-making is when power influences decisions to achieve desired outcomes
• Power as agenda-setting is controlling the conditions and decisions that arise (power play exists even before decisions)
• Power as preference-shaping is influencing others' thoughts, desires, and needs through means like media, environment, and culture
• Propaganda via media channels can shape public ideology and perceptions, especially during times like war

Institutions

• Formal institutions involve procedures, constitutions, contracts, and forms of government
  • They ensure regular behavior and adherence to established rules
• Informal institutions are traditions, customs, values, beliefs, and norms that have stood the test of time

Where does politics occur?

• Politics as an arena is limited to formal institutions, the state and public life
• Politics as a process includes both formal and informal institutions and their interactions with society
• Government consists of formal institutions that rule a group, creates, and implements political decisions
• Governance includes all institutions involved in setting rules or conventions, including both leaders and non-governmental members

Political Ideologies

• Ideology, according to Destutt de Tracy (18th century), is the "science of ideas"
  • It studies the origins and development of human ideas and how they shape society through rational, scientific inquiry
• According to Karl Marx (19th century) ideology reflects the interests of the ruling class
  • It is a way ruling classes control the masses
  • It imposes ideas on individuals and enforces capitalist power structures and the interests of the elites
  • It can both empower and limit people
• An ideology is an interrelated set of ideas leading to collective action, which can empower or limit individuals or groups

Types of Ideologies

• Social Ideologies include:
  • Feminism
  • Environmentalism
  • Nationalism

Political Ideology

• A set of ideas providing the foundation to preserve, modify, or overthrow the existing system of power
• Ideologies exist on a spectrum

Ideologies Spectrum

• "Left" aims to change the status quo
• "Right" aims to maintain the status quo

Anarchism

• Key belief: political authority is always evil and corrupt
• Authority should be overthrown
• Authority is a legalized weapon for oppression
• People manage themselves through peaceful volunteerism and cooperation
• Anarchism questions the need for traditional institutions like law, constitution, judiciary, police, military, healthcare, education, and economy
• It favors the absence of centralized government but acknowledges the need for rules
• It prefers non-formal laws, with rules and norms emerging informally through community consensus and mediation
• Systems exist through formal courts with councils or elders
• Police are responsible for the safety
• The economy is a barter or free-market economy
• Authority is decentralized

Fascism

• Full support to the government is necessary
• Absolute leadership and dictatorship are required
• Political dissent is squashed, eliminating freedom of speech
• The government/leader is glorified
  • They are infallible, charismatic, and define 'destiny'
• There is a strong belief in unity, heroism, and power, alongside militarist and violent tendencies
• Reasons for support for Fascism include:
  • Economic instability and socio-political discontent
  • Nationalism for identity crises
  • Scapegoatin

Socialism

• Developed as a reaction to capitalism
  • Aims to disband the capitalist economy and create a society with common ownership, even through revolution (communism)
• It seeks to abolish private property and redistribute wealth through welfare state
  • Examples include healthcare, education, energy, water, and oil
• Supports community and collectivism
• Emphasizes fraternity
• Seeks cooperation over competition
• Focuses on genuine cooperation and social equality

Conservatism

• Prioritizes tradition, hierarchy, and social order
• Defends established social orders with distinct roles, responsibilities, and positions
• Defends traditions, values, and practices that have stood the test of time
• Resists change
• Prefers a strong state to preserve order over individual liberty
• The state acts as a protector of the people
• Encourages tradition
• Values pragmatism
• Acknowledges humans are imperfect and rely on the state
• Views society as an organism
• Defends hierarchy
• Claims authority comes from above
• Believes in property rights

Liberalism

• Views state as both good and bad
• Initially against government intervention, believing in a free market and limiting constraints (classical liberalism)
• It evolved into social liberalism, advocating for welfare reform and economic intervention
• Centers on individualism

Core Liberalistic Values

• Freedom is essential
• Reason should be valued over power
• Equality and moral standards necessary
• Debate and discussion is healthy
• Consent is valuable
• Constitutionalism is necessary to check tyranny

Legitimacy of Power

• Legitimacy of Power aligns with rules and should be acknowledged by the government and governed.
• Political legitimacy is why people obey the rules.
• Without legitimacy people may resist authority.

Forms of Legitimacy (Max Weber)

• Traditional authority exists via inherited customs
• Charismatic authority relies on personality
• Legal-rational authority is standard for modern societies due to its rule-based applications

Democracy

• The term comes from the greek words "Demos" (people) and "kratos" (rule), meaning "rule by the people"
• Athenian democracy included only male, free, wealthy citizens aged 20 and older
• Philippine democracy includes Filipino citizens, at least 18 years old, and are registered voters

Defining "The People" and General Will

• General Will (Rousseau) describes the collective desires necessary for the public good
• Majority rule leads to policy decisions where there is a preference of a "general vote"
• Majority leads to reflection
• However it can fragment groups and policies and lead to corporations to exert influence

Key principles of democracy

• Of the people: the government represents their needs
• By the people: the government is created and run through participation
• For the people: the government exists to serve their needs

Democratic ideal

• Government represents and promotes collective welfare
• Types of democracy include: direct democracy, and indirect democracy

Features of Democracy

• Minimalist Democracy: People elect representatives
• Maximalist Democracy: Aims for high participation, social justice, and protects freedom

Democratic Legitimacy

• Consent from the governed is necessary
• Compromise and equal interest is needed
• Must have a system to express opinions

Authoritarianism

• Requires a ruler to possess total power
• Totalitarian Rule: A single leader or despot seeks total control over the population.

Forms of Authoritarianism

• Despotic Rule: Ruled by a single individual (e.g., Hitler, Stalin, Kim Jong Un)
• Monarchy: Ruled by a royal family
• Political Party: One-party system (e.g., Marcos)
• Military Rule: Coup d'etats, military junta (e.g., Myanmar)
• Theocracy: Leaders are religious

Authoritarian Regimes

• Restricts freedom
• The political spectrum is rooted in the French Revolution.
• The PH was under colonial rule

Magellan's Expedition

• Magellan arrived in Homonhon
• The first mass was in Limasawa

Battle of Mactan

• Local resistance to Spanish influence, with Lapu-Lapu opposing Rajah Humabon of Cebu.

Villalobos Expedition

• Failed to establish "Las Islas Filipinas."

Legazpi Expedition

• Established the first Spanish settlement in San Miguel (Cebu).
• Made Manila the capital

Centuries of Spanish Rule

• Governance was centralized and headed by a governor
• The reduction system centralized the population for better control
• Cultural shifts influenced the languages and ideals

Rise of Filipino Consciousness

• Filipino Revolts
  • Fragmented
• Execution of GOMBURZA and the Cavite Revolt in 1872
• Shift of power to secular officials
• Rizal dedicated "El Filibusterismo" to GOMBURZA

Propaganda Movement

• Political and intellectual movement
• Lead to the establishment of La Solidaridad and La Liga Filipina
• publications were banned as a reaction

6 Revolution

• Lead by the Katipunan
• began at Pugad Lawin
• Spanish Martial Law imposed
• Tejeros Convention addressed disputes
• Republic made
• Arrested and killed Bonifacio

Spanish-American War

• USS Maine led to the declaration of war
• Americans prevailed
• Aguinaldo returned and transitioned the government

Treaty of Paris

• Peace Commissioners signed
• Spain ceded Philippines

First Philippine Republic

• Divided government
• Filipino-American war ensued

Constitutions of the Philippines

• The Malolos Constitution was a pioneer
• The 1935 Constitution was presidential
• Japanese Constitution lacked power
• 1973 constitution established parliamentary rule
• 1986 constitution restored democracy
• 1987 restored principles

American Colonization

• Schurman advocated for American Supervision
• civil government established with the passage of the Cooper Act (1902)
• Jones Law of 1916 Established and declared a fully Filipino legislature
• The Tydings-McDuffie Law established the Philippine Commonwealth

Filipino-American Governance

• Led to corrupt political power
• Decentralization

Post-War Democracy (1946)

• Cacique Democracy flourished post-war

Marcos Authoritarian Rule

• Declared Martial Law
• Centralized power
• Human rights violations ensue

POST MARCOS ERA Achievements

• Aquino established; the 1987 Construction, Governance and empowerment
• Waste management
• Transportation services

Ramos Achievements

• Economic reforms
• Foreign investment
• power plants

Estrada and his scandal

• Populist and focused on poverty
• Corruption

Gloria Arroyo accomplishments and scandals

• Second longest president in Philippine history
• Corruption and fraud

Aquino Achievements

• Lead anti-corruption campaigns
• Addressed PDAF

Duterte Accomplishments

• Focused on drug policy, the BBL, and the WPS issues.

Government branches:

• Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary

EXECUTIVE

Deals with law enforcement and is Headed by president

• PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT, CABINET MEMBERS (22), REGIONAL Governor, Governor, VICE governor, MAYOR, VICE mayor, COUNSELLOR, BARANGAY CAPTAIN

Legislative

Creation and implementation of laws, Senate and house of representatives

Judiciary

Interpreting the laws, and has the chief justice and + 14 associate justices

• Natural-born citizen of the Philippines, Registered voter, Able to read and write, least 40 years of age
• A resident of the Philippines for at least 20 years immediately preceding the election

Executive Approvals in the "Honeymoon Phaze"

• the first 3 years are active and full
• the next 3 years are for preserving power
• The last 3 years are to ensure approval

Powers

Implement laws and exercise power

Government Branches over view

The legislative can veto, or elect a president The president can issue clemency with support Foreign powers are regulated

Government Common Issues

Branches and powers of the government are abused

Legislative Branch

• Senate and House of Representatives exist
• Balances are used to prevent unfairness
• Better representation on the local level
• Better senate on the national level

Congress

• Natural-born citizen of the Philippines, Registered voter, Able to read and write, At least 35 years old
• Resident of the Philippines for at least 2 years immediately preceding the election

Impeachment

• for the President, Vice President, Supreme Court Justices, members of constitutional commissions, and Ombudsman

Laws of the government

• Should not abridge freedom
• They should create a system to vote in power and be accurately represented

Judiciary:

Judicial Powers and Functions

General Courts versus Special Courts

• the highest power is with the supreme court which interprets the Constitution and laws
• To settle actual controversies involving legally enforceable rights
• To review and invalidate laws and actions of other branches To provide ensure political pressures

Explore the definition of politics according to Laswell and Heywood. Learn about politics as creating, maintaining, and changing societal rules. Understand power as the ability to influence behavior and make changes to achieve desired outcomes.