Social Injustice in The Philippines

Okay, here is the converted markdown format: ## Chapter 1 ### The Experience of Social Injustice #### The Contemporary International and Local Context: Lights and Shadows Social media and real-time connectivity means society is constantly bombarded with news. Social media platforms allow instant i...

Okay, here is the converted markdown format: ## Chapter 1 ### The Experience of Social Injustice #### The Contemporary International and Local Context: Lights and Shadows Social media and real-time connectivity means society is constantly bombarded with news. Social media platforms allow instant information sharing and public discussion, which includes both positive developments and issues such as corruption and injustice. The country has settled significant foreign debt and maintained an investment-grade credit rating. The economic growth is becoming more inclusive: * 1.4 million net jobs created * Poverty incidence dropped from 25.2% (2012) to 21.6% (2015) Government initiatives like *AmBisyonNatin 2040* and *Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022* aim for long-term growth. 2017 saw positive global economic growth, led by India and China. Rising awareness of gender and racial equality worldwide. Having Paris Agreement (2016) signifies international commitment to mitigating climate change. Economic growth benefits are not evenly distributed. Issues in the Philippines, such as: * Airport scams (*laglag-bala*) * Slow land redistribution for farmers * Ongoing peace talks with rebel groups * Corruption and political division Healthcare and education reforms exist but remain inadequate: * Poor maternal and morality rates and malnutrition * Insufficient school infrastructure and teacher training. ### Global Political Climate The rise of nationalism and protectionism: * Brexit (UK leaving the European Union) * "American First" policies in the U.S * Increasing authoritarian governance * Ongoing refugee crises in Syria and Africa remain unresolved. ### Public Response and Social Action With the widespread activism (Protests, political lobbying, and NGO efforts for reform) Concept of "negative contrast experience": * Awareness of injustice (poverty, corruption, sexism) emerges by comparing it with ideals (equality, fair wages, transparency) This realization compels people to seek change. ### A Faith That is Both Personal and Social The Catholic faith is not limited to private beliefs and afterlife concerns. Faith calls for active work toward justice, not just thoughts and prayers. Understanding societal issues requires examining their complexity, history, and interconnectedness. The church must collaborate with other disciplines to address these issues effectively. ### Analyzing the Contemporary Context *(The Social Aspect: The Filipino Culture, Civil Society, and Social Institutions)* ### FILIPINO CULTURAL TRAITS **Strengths:** * Pakikipagkapwa-Tao (regards to others) * Family Orientation * Flexibility, Adaptability, and Creativity * Hard-work and Industry * Faith and Religiosity **Weaknesses:** * Extreme Personalism * Extreme Family-Centeredness * Passivity and Lack of Initiative * Colonial Mentality * Kanya-Kanya Syndrome * Lack of Self-Analysis and Self-Reflection ### Social institutions #### Education & Healthcare Philippines have high literacy rates, but education quality and affordability are issues. The mismatch between degrees and job opportunities contributes to underemployment. Moreover, healthcare is accessible but suffers from underfunding, overcrowding, and lack of preventive care. #### Gender The Philippines leads Asia in gender equality but faces economic participation gaps. *The October 2013 Labor Force Survey* four in seven unpaid family workers are women and three in ten underemployed people are women. *Machismo* culture enforces traditional gender roles, harming both men and women. And gender expectations contribute to inequality, abuse, and rape culture. #### Economic Aspect: **Philippine Business and Economics** The Philippine economy has seen consistent growth (GDP >6% for nine quarters as of 2017) Tickle-down economics remains debated, with poverty rates still high (21.6% in 2015) Farmers, fishermen, women and children are most vulnerable to poverty. Budget priorities focus on infrastructure and education but differ from inefficiencies and corruption. #### The Political Aspect: Governance Corruption remains widespread, from bribery to misuse of public funds. The Philippines scored 34/100 in the 2017 Transparency International Index (0 = highly corrupt). Patronage politics and rent-seeking behaviors hinder fair governance and resource distribution. #### Theological Perspective The church interprets social issues through the Gospel and Catholic teachings. Where Sin is not just personal but also social – rooted in systematic injustice. Addressing social sin requires a shift in culture values, and governance. ## Chapter 2 ### The Structures of Sin and Structures of Grace Catholic social thought addresses social injustice through the concept of structural or social sin. The injustices are not just individual actions but embedded in dominant social forces and institutions. The Church advocates for charity, justice, and structures of grace to encounter social sin. ### Sin: Personal and Social Personal Sin: Individual wrongdoing, a choice to turn away from God *(Augustine of Hippo)* Social Sin: Injustice embedded in systems and institutions. Not caused by one person but by collective participation. Social sin results from willful rejection of God and neighbor *(Gustavo Gutierrez)* Examples: * Corrupt government structures * Economic policies that exploit the poor * Discrimination and systemic oppression ### Social Sin and Structures of Sin There are certain levels that form can interplay with each other: $1^{st}$ Dehumanizing trends and patterns of behavior that make up the various socio- economic and political institutions. $2^{nd}$ Stereotypes and myths that justify injustices $3^{rd}$ - Distorted values and beliefs $4^{th}$ - Action that sustain these structures #### Social Sin is particularly detrimental to the community, not only it affect people and the relationship among people, but it also affects people's relationship with God. Karl Rahner - *A person's categorical freedom"* Sociologists Peter Berger and Thomas Luckman describe this as a process of externalization, objectivation, and internalization: “society is a human product. Society in as objective reality. Man is a social product” ### Charity, Justice, and Structures of Grace There are two ways to respond to social sin: | Charity (Short term) | Justice (Long-term) | | :------------------------ | :------------------------------------ | | Direct aid advocates for shelter and donations | Advocating systemic reforms | | Addresses immediate needs | Tackles root causes of injustices | | Individual acts of kindness | Collective action for structural change | | Directed at the effects | Directed at the roots | Both charity and justice are necessary – charity helps for suffering NOW, but justice PREVENTS FUTURE suffering. ### Structure of Grace Social systems that promote human dignity and justice. This encourage good rather than sinful choices and would help people to do good rather than distort the values of the community. * Promote gender and social equity * Encourage ethical governance * Foster economic equality #### Kevin Ahern Catholic organizations and their social work, notes that the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church argues that structure of sin should be "purifies and transformed into structures of solidarity through the creation or appropriate modification of laws, market regulations, and judicial systems" #### Pope Benedict XVI discusses the importance of creating "networks of charity" and strengthening “networks of solidarity" in Caritas in Vertate.