Philippine Politics and Governance PDF Notes

Governance - refers to formal and informal institutions, rules, norms, and expectations, which govern behavior of th...

Governance - refers to formal and informal institutions, rules, norms, and expectations, which govern behavior of the societies. “Man by nature is a political man.” — Aristotle - Process, Management, and Action Politics involves the interaction of Political Science is an academic people, whose relationship is discipline that deals with the study of characterized by conflict and government and political processes, cooperation, and who come together to institutions, and behaviors. solve such disagreements through binding solutions. David Easton’s System Theory - The relationship of the government and Governing governed are interlinked through the - the authority to conduct policy. This processes. includes institutions other than the - tagamasid, tagagawa, taga- government, labor and trade unions, implement corporations, universities, church organizations, social movement, etc. - “Power can be abusive like money.” Government Power is the ability to influence or - The body of persons that constitutes outright control the behavior of people. the governing authority of a political unit - It can be seen as evil or unjust, but the or organization. exercise of power is accepted as - The system endemic to humans as social beings. - This requires a good foundation. - power as a means to make social what cannot be discussed, actions possible as much as it may effectively controlling the contain or prevent them. situation. Power is also about preventing decisions or choices - ito ay nakakamatay at nakakabuhay. being made. 3 KINDS OF POWER: Ideological Power - power to Power Over - the ability to shape decisions or desires of dominate another person or others. group. Power to - the ability to do something on one’s own. (sources: intellect, resources, knowledge, stamina, etc.) Ideas are focused on the behavior and Power with - the ability to work action of the people (reaction). They are with others to get something later translated into beliefs and actions. done by cooperation. Ideologies consist of the set of beliefs 3 FACES OF POWER ACCORDING TO and values of an individual (perspective STEVEN LUKES: or interests). Ideology is not theoretical. Decision-making power - ‘open face of power’. It is the ability to Political ideologies are a coherent set of control or influence in an open ideas that direct or organize a specific and direct way. The government political action. It mobilizes a large has the power to make decisions number of people. on behalf of the people. Agenda-setting power - ‘power is Characteristics of Political Ideology: exercised behind closed doors’. Man vs. Man It can be compared to puppetry. Man vs. Society One can decide or limit what will Society vs. Society be discussed and Major Political Ideologies and Their Key Green Politics/Ecologism Tenets: - Focuses on the partnership between humans and nature, and is concerned Anarchism with the damages of economic - The state, or any political authority, is development and the declining quality seen both as evil and unnecessary. It of human existence. prefers a stateless society. The society rejects and disbelieves in the Liberalism dependence on the government. - Believes in individualism and the protection of individual liberty or rights. Conservatism - Traditions such as established customs, Marxism institutions, and ways of doing things - theorizes that social conflict exists due must be conserved. to constant power struggles between capitalist and worker and seeks to build Cosmopolitanism a stateless and classless society. - The ideological expression of globalization. It focuses on the idea that Socialism all people in the world have an - Prefers cooperation over competition obligation to one another. and collectivity rather than individualism. It emphasizes social Fascism equality and community. - An ultranationalist ideology. It prioritizes the nation before the Social Democracy individual and excludes non-members - Advocates for a peaceful evolutionary of the race. transition of society from capitalism to socialism, where the market and state, Feminism and individual and community are - Desires to enhance and empower the balanced. social role of women and believes in gender equality.  4 ELEMENTS OF A STATE: Sovereignty, Government, Territory, and People State according to: TYPES OF STATE: Gardener - territory in which a group EFFECTIVE of people live in (literal meaning). - The state controls and taxes the entire Aristotle - A good citizen makes a territory. good state (defined the relationship - Laws are mostly obeyed. between state and nation). - The state provides general welfare and security (militia). A state is a political community that has - There exists only minor corruption. sovereign jurisdiction over a clearly defined territory and exercises authority WEAK over several institutions including the - Crime has penetrated politics. government. - Government is weak in fighting lawlessness, corruption, and poverty. - The Philippines is NOT a state because - Justice is bought and elections are it has a small demographic and is not rigged. compact. It also embodies the - Governmental revenues go to private characteristics of a weak and failed pockets. state. FAILED FEATURES OF A STATE: - No national government exists. It is sovereign. - The state is ruled by warlords, private, Its institutions are public. army, and militias. It is an exercise of legitimation. - “Gun” is the law. It is a territorial association. - Education and health standards decline. - The Philippine Constitution is filled with so much potential but the problem is that we create new laws and forget old ones. Aristotle’s Classifications of Government: Who Governs? How Many? Positive Forms Negative Forms One Monarchy Tyranny Few Aristocracy Oligarchy (groups) Many Polity Democracy