Philippine Politics, Government, and Citizenship PDF

PHILIPPINE POLITICS, GOVERNMENT AND APPROACHES IN THE STUDY OF DIFFERENT POLITICAL 1 CITIZENSHIP STRUCTURES A...

PHILIPPINE POLITICS, GOVERNMENT AND APPROACHES IN THE STUDY OF DIFFERENT POLITICAL 1 CITIZENSHIP STRUCTURES AND INSTITUTIONS WEEK 1: POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE TRADIONAL APPROACH NATURE OF POLITICS The traditional approach to the study of political science is a combination of views on and orientations to politics in *“Politics exists because people disagree about the aims philosophical, ethical, and institutional terms. and objects of human endeavor (S. G. Richards,1978). BEHAVIORAL APPROACH *“A disagreement in which incompatible policies are advocated can only be resolved ultimately by one side The behavioral approach to political science mainly obtaining the power to make its viewpoint prevail over the emphasizes on scientific, objective, and value-free study of other. political phenomenon. *The acquisition of power, therefore, is a prerequisite of Various forms of the traditional approach: achieving political objectives.” Philosopical Definition of Politics This approach firmly believes that values cannot be separated from the study of politics and political system. B. PONTON & P. GILL Therefore, its main concern is to judge what is good or bad Politics is the way in which we understand and order our in any political society. social affairs, and acquire greater control over the situation. Institutional This approach is concerned with the study of formal AMABLE TUIBEO structures and institutions like legislature, executive, Politics is the strategy for maintaining cooperation judiciary, political parties, etc. among people with different needs and ideals in life, or for resolving the conflict within the group, whether this is a Historical family, a tribe, a village, or a nation-state. It emphasizes the study of the history of every political reality to analyze any situation. HAROLD LASSWELL (1936) Legal Political Scientist; author of a “Politics--Who This approach is concerned with the legal process, legal Gets What, When, and How”. Lasswell, in effect, defined bodies or institutions, justice and independence of judiciary. "politics" as involving questions as to "who gets what, when, and how." CHARACTERISTICS OF BEHAVIOR APPROACH REGULARTIES: believes that there are certain uniformities in The study of politics: political science political behavior which can be expressed in generalizations or theories in order to explain and predict political Political Science deals with the systematic study of political phenomena. structures, political processes, and political behavior. VERIFICATION: emphasizes testing and verifying everything. Political science is a classical discipline that deals with the According to behaviorists, what cannot be verified is not study of political phenomena Its goal is to deepen human scientific understanding of the forms and nature of political action and to develop theoretical tools for interpreting politically TECHNIQUES: put emphasis on the use of those research meaningful phenomena. tools and methods which generate valid, reliable, and comparative data. QUANTIFICATION: After collecting data, the researcher CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD GOVERNANCE 2 should measure and quantify those data. Participation VALUES: believe that to do objective research one has to be Good governance essentially requires the participation of value-free. different sectors of society. Participation means the active SYSTEMATIZATION: research in Political Science must be involvement of all affected and interested parties in the systematic. Theory and research should go together decision-making process. PURE SCIENCE: believes that the study of Political Science Rule of law should be verified by evidence. It is through the law that people express their will and INTEGRATION: Political Science should not be separated exercise their sovereignty. That the government is of the law from various other social sciences like history, sociology and and not of men is an underlying democratic principle that economics, etc. puts no one, however rich and powerful, above the law. Importance of Politics and Government: Effectiveness & Efficiency 1. It is very important to care about politics because Effectiveness (meeting the needs) and efficiency (proper you should know what is going on around you. utilization of resources) must necessarily go together to ensure the best possible results for the community. 2. Another reason you should care about politics is Transparency because you should have a say in what will happen. People must be open to information regarding the decision- 3. making process and its implementation. It also means that 4. You should care about politics because the transactions involving public interests must be fully disclosed decisions people make will affect many lives and made accessible to the public. “The worst illiterate is the political illiterate, he doesn’t Responsiveness hear, doesn’t speak, nor participates in political events. He The interests of all citizens must be well protected in a doesn’t know the cost of living, the price of the bean, of the prompt and appropriate manner so that each of them can fish, of the flour, the rent, the shoes, and of the medicine, appreciate and take part in the process of governance. all depend on political decisions. The political illiterate is so stupid that he is proud and swells his chest saying that he Equity & Inclusiveness hates politics. The imbecile doesn’t know that, from his All members of society, especially the most vulnerable ones political ignorance is born the prostitute, the abandoned or those at the grassroots level, must be taken into child, and the worst thieves of all, the bad politician, consideration in policy-making. Everyone has a stake in corrupted and flunky of the national and multinational society, and no one should feel alienated from it. companies.” – Bertolt Brecht Consensus-oriented Governance is consensus-oriented when decisions are made GOVERNMENT after taking into consideration the different viewpoints of the actors in society. To reach a consensus, a strong, impartial, *Latin verb “gubernare,” and flexible mediation structure must be established. *Originally from the Greek word “kubernaein,” which means Accountability “to steer”. It means answerability or responsibility for one’s actions. The * Is the complex process whereby some sectors of the society actors have an obligation to explain and be accountable for wield power and enact and promulgate public policies which the consequences of the decisions and actions they have directly affect human and institutional interactions and taken on behalf of the community they serve. economic and social development. PHILIPPINE POLITICS, GOVERNMENT GOVERNMENT 3 AND CITIZENSHIP There can be no state without a government. The government is the agency through which the will of the WEEK 2: THE STATE state is formulated, expressed, and carried out. What is state? It is an institution or aggregate of institutions by which an The modern term "state" is derived from the word independent society makes and carries out those rules of "status". action necessary to enable men to live in a social state, or those that are imposed upon the people by those who It was Niccolò Machiavelli (1469–1527) who first used the possess the power or authority of prescribing them. term "state" in his writings. His significant work is titled "Prince". The state is the most universal and powerful of SOVEREIGNTY all institutions. It is a natural institution. Sovereignty is the supreme power of the state to command A state is a people organized for law within a definite and enforce obedience to its will from the people within its territory. (Woodrow Wilson) jurisdiction and, corollary, to have freedom from foreign control. The word "sovereignty" means supreme and final A state is a community of people, more or less numerous, legal authority above and beyond which no legal power permanently occupying a definite portion of territory, exists. Sovereignty has two aspects: having a government of their own to which the great body of inhabitants render habitual obedience, and enjoying 1) INTERNAL SOVEREIGNTY, which means that the State is freedom from external control. (James Garner) supreme over all its citizens and associations; and 4 ELEMENTS OF STATE 2) EXTERNAL SOVEREIGNTY, which means that the state is independent and free from foreign or outside control People- Territory- Government- Sovereignty THEORIES ON THE ORIGIN OF THE STATE PEOPLE The DIVINE RIGHT THEORY is the oldest theory that holds People refer to the mass population living within the that the state is of divine creation and the ruler is ordained state. "People" answers the question, "Who governs by God to govern the people. The rulers of the past whom?" advocated the political dominance of authority and power According to Plato, there is no specific number through their own ordained mandate that they represent requirement; "... the state shall neither be too small nor the state on the basis of divine right (as God created the yet one that seems great but has no unity." Aristotle, on state). It was by this nature that the divine rights of kings the other hand, says "The number should be neither too gave them absolute power and influence over their large nor too small; It should be large enough to be self- subjects. sufficing and small enough to be well governed”. The NECESSITY or FORCE THEORY maintains that the state TERRITORY must have been created as a product of the existence of the strong and the weak in society and as a result of their The territory is the demarcated area that rightfully struggle against each other, wherein those who are strong belongs to the population. "Territory" answers the are able to dominate and impose their will upon the weak. question, "Where?" It is a definite portion of the surface The creation of the state through the constant war and of the earth, that is the subject of the jurisdiction and invasion of the great warriors in ancient times dominated sovereign rights of a state in accordance with international the weak and later formed a state. law. There are large and small states. However, the territory should be permanent and large enough to be self- sufficing. The Vatican is the smallest with a total land area of 0.44 km2; Russia is the largest with 17,098,242 km2  4 The NATURAL or INSTINCTIVE THEORY holds that the POWER OF EMINENT DOMAIN state Is founded out of man’s natural instinct for association. The social urge of the human being to be The POWER of EMINENT DOMAIN is the power within a group of people in the community, as in possessed by the state over all property within the sociology, describes that "man is a social being." The state, specifically its power to appropriate property for social group provides the political development to stay a public purpose. This is the power of the state to take and work together with a common goal in the community, private property for public use with just compensation. which later transforms into a state. POWER OF TAXATION SOCIAL CONTRACT THEORY asserts that the early states The POWER of TAXATION is the inherent power of the must have been formed by a deliberate and voluntary sovereign, exercised through the legislature, to impose compact among the people to form a society and organize burdens upon subjects and objects within its a government for their common good. This theory justifies jurisdiction for the purpose of raising revenues to carry the right of the people to revolt against a bad ruler. out the legitimate objects of the government. This is DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STATE AND NATION the power of the state to take private property for public use with just compensation. A state is a community of people occupying a definite territory, having a government of their own, and enjoying freedom from external control. A nation is a society of inhabitants of a specific geographic region united and bound together by a common racial ancestry, the same language and culture, a historical past, laws, and shared interests and sentiments over the course of many years The state is a political concept, while the nation is an ethnic or racial concept. A state is not subject to external control, while a nation may or may not be independent of external control. A state cannot become a state without a nation or nations that consist of its people. A single state may consist of one or more nations or peoples, and conversely, a single nation may be made up of different states 3 INHERENT POWERS OF THE STATE POLICE POWER POLICE POWER is the power of the government to enforce obedience from the people in the promotion of public health, morals, or safety and the general well-being of the community. It is the inherent power of government to enact and enforce laws for the promotion of the general welfare. PHILIPPINE POLITICS, GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMIC POWER 5 CITIZENSHIP Economic power is the second important dimension of WEEK 3: POLITICAL POWER national power. It is constituted by the ability of a nation to satisfy its own needs and to control the behavior of POWER other states by affording or denying access to economic *Some social scientists define it as the use of force, goods and services. The economic means of foreign whereas many others explain it as the capacity to secure policy are today the most vital means that a state can desired goals through the use of force or even by use to influence the actions and behavior of other states. exercising influence. No state can become a military power without having adequate economic power. Economic power is used by *Another definition is from Schwarzenberger, who views rich and developed nations to influence other states by power as "the capacity of one to impose his will on others granting them economic aid and loans and trying to by reliance on effective sanctions in case of non- secure their interests in international relations. It is used compliance. In Social Science and Politics, it is defined as as a means to induce and coerce the desired change in the ability to outright control the behavior of people. It the behavior of other states is an authority when the power is perceived as legitimate by the social structure. Power may also be seen as evil or PSYCHOLOGICAL POWER unjust, but the exercise of power is accepted as reserved It means the power of opinion and the image of the only for humans as social beings. nation. The role of propaganda and persuasive NATIONAL POWER negotiations in international relations has been used by states to secure an intended change in the behavior of Is the "combination of power and capability of a state other states. By using psychological and cultural means, that the state uses for fulfilling its national interests and a nation always tries to influence the people and leaders goals," according to Paddleford and Lincoln. of other nations. The ability to influence others through It is simply the ability or capability of a nation to secure systematic publicity and educational and cultural the goals and objectives of its national interest in relations constitutes the psychological part of the relation to other nations. It involves the capacity to use national power of a nation. force or the threat of using force or influence over others METHODS OF EXERCISING NATIONAL POWER to secure the goals of national interest. 1.PERSUASION DIMENSIONS OF NATIONAL POWER The art of persuasion consists in defining and logically The three forms of national power are inseparable from explaining a particular problem, issue, or dispute to each other. Without economic power, no nation can other nations. An attempt is made to persuade other develop its military power, and without the latter, no nations to adopt a particular and desired view or nation can play an active role in international relations. perception of the nature of the issues involved in any Psychological power can be enduring and really effective bilateral or multilateral problem, dispute, or issue. The only when it is backed by economic and military power. attempt is to convince others about the goodness of the MILITARY POWER policies of the nation. Diplomacy basically uses persuasion to secure support for the foreign policy that it Military power is an important dimension of national represents. power. It is regarded as absolutely essential for achieving the objective of ensuring the security of the nation. For 2.REWARDS every nation, security is the most vital element of its The offering of rewards can be material, economic, or national interest. It is the primary concern of every nation psychological. A nation can give material help to another to work for its security. Military power is such a vital part nation in times of crisis or in other ways. The practice of of national power. The role and importance of a state in giving economic aid and easy loans, or grants-in-aid, is international relations depend on its military power. No another method of winning support and inducing a state can get recognition as a superpower without being change in the behavior of other states. militarily superior.  6 The token support or grant of certain honors to the In a purely patriarchal structure, "the servants are statesmen, philosophers, artists, scientists, and scholars of completely and personally dependent upon the lord", other nations also serves as psychological rewards while in an estate system (i.e., feudalism), "the intended to keep the other states friendly and servants are not personal servants of the lord but cooperative. independent men" (Weber 1958, 4). But, in both cases, the system of authority does not change or 3.PUNISHMENTS evolve. A powerful nation can inflict punishment on an offending CHARISMATIC or unhelpful state by imposing economic sanctions, norms, or policies, placing trade restrictions, or ensuring It is an authority that stems from an individual’s the denial of a possible reward. A denial or reduction in extraordinary personal qualities and from that foreign aid or loans or a refusal to export certain items or individual’s hold over followers because of these technologies can be used by a powerful nation to inflict qualities. Such charismatic individuals may exercise punishment or pressure on other nations. authority over a whole society or only a specific group within a larger society. They can exercise authority for 4.FORCE/PHYSICAL VIOLENCE good and for bad, as this brief list of charismatic Physical force or violence can be used by resorting to war leaders indicates: Joan of Arc, Adolf Hitler, Mahatma or acts of reprisal by a powerful state. A resort to war is Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Jesus Christ, the extreme form of force exercised and a method of last Muhammad, and Buddha. Each of these individuals resort in international relations. It is a risky and dangerous had extraordinary personal qualities that led their method that can damage the national power of the state. followers to admire them and follow their orders or requests for action. Charismatic authority is found in a AUTHORITY leader whose mission and vision inspire others. It is The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics defines authority based on the perceived extraordinary characteristics as "the power or right to give orders and enforce of an individual. obedience; the power to influence others based on LEGAL-RATIONAL recognized knowledge or expertise." "It can most simply be defined as legitimate power. It is, therefore, based on Legal-Rational authority derives from law and is an acknowledged duty to obey rather than on any form of based on a belief in the legitimacy of a society’s laws coercion or manipulation. In this sense, authority is power and rules and in the right of leaders to act under these cloaked in legitimacy or rightfulness". rules to make decisions and set policy. This form of authority is frequently found in modern states, city TYPES OF POLITICAL AUTHORITY governments, private and public corporations, and TRADIONAL various voluntary associations. In fact, Weber stated that the "development of the modern state is indeed It is the power that is rooted in the traditional, or long- identical with that of modern officialdom and standing, beliefs and practices of a society. It exists and is bureaucratic organizations, just as the result of assigned to particular individuals because of that society’s modern capitalism is identical with the increasing customs and traditions. bureaucratization of economic enterprise. The ability and right to rule are passed down, often through heredity. It does not change over time, does not facilitate social change, tends to be irrational and inconsistent, and perpetuates the status quo. In fact, Weber states: "The creation of new law opposite traditional norms is deemed impossible in principle." Traditional authority is typically embodied in feudalism or patrimonialism. PHILIPPINE POLITICS, GOVERNMENT 7 B. AS TO THE EXTENT OF POWERS EXERCISED BY THE AND CITIZENSHIP CENTRAL OR NATIONAL GOVERNMENT WEEK 4: THE GOVERNMENT UNITARY GOVERNMENT a government in which the control of national and local affairs is exercised by the CLASSIFICATIONS OF GOVERNMENTS central or national government. A. AS TO THE NUMBER OF PERSONS EXERCISING FEDERAL GOVERNMENT a government in which the SOVEREIGN POWER powers of government are divided between the national 1. Monarchy is a form of government in which supreme and local governments. and final authority is in the hands of a single person. C. AS TO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE ABSOLUTE MONARCHY AND LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT a government in which the ruler rules by divine right. PARLIAMENTARY GOVERNMENT LIMITED MONARCHY a government in which the state confers upon the legislature the power to terminate the tenure of the real a government in which the ruler rules in accordance executive. Legislatures, called parliaments, operate under with the Constitution. a parliamentary system of government in which the executive is constitutionally answerable to the parliament. TYRANNY Parliaments usually consist of chambers or houses and are an autocratic form of rule in which one individual usually either bicameral or unicameral. exercises power without any legal restraint. PRESIDENTIAL GOVERNMENT DICTATORSHIP a government in which the state makes the executive an authoritarian type of government where there is constitutionally independent of the legislature as regards absolute control by one person. tenure to a large extent. The executive branch is led by a president who serves as both head of state and head of 2. Aristocracy is a form of government in which political government. In such a system, this branch exists power is exercised by a few privileged classes, which separately from the legislature, for which it is not are known as the aristocracy or oligarchy. responsible and which it cannot, in normal circumstances, In an oligarchy, a small group of people has all the dismiss. power in the government. IDEOLOGY 3. Democracy is a government in which political power Ideology is a comprehensive set of normative beliefs, is exercised by a majority of the people. conscious and unconscious ideas, that an individual, DIRECT/PURE DEMOCRACY group, or society has. a government in which the will of the state is Political ideologies can be proposed by the dominant class formulated or expressed directly and immediately of society, such as the elite, to all members of society. through the people in a mass meeting or primary In societies that distinguish between public and private assembly. life, every political or economic tendency entails ideology, INDIRECT/REPUBLICAN whether or not it is propounded as an explicit system of thought. a government in which the will of the state is formulated and expressed through a relatively small and select body of persons chosen by the people to act as their representatives.  8 LEFT-WING IDEOLOGY Society, not individuals, should own the property. The government plans the economy; there is no free market. All The left-wing ideology typically champions ideals of citizens have roughly the same level of prosperity. equality, social justice, and collective responsibility, advocating for government intervention to address LIBERALISM societal inequalities and to provide public services. a political and social philosophy that promotes individual RIGHT-WING IDEOLOGY rights, civil liberties, democracy, and free enterprise. The right-wing ideology primarily champions social Individuals take priority over society. Individuals have the conservatism, limited government, and free- market right to make choices for themselves. No person is morally economics, asserting the importance of personal or politically superior to others. Hierarchies are rejected. responsibility and traditional values. Humans are capable of thinking logically and rationally. Logic and reason helps to solve problems. Traditions should not be POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES kept unless they have value. New ideas are helpful because COMMUNISM they can lead to progress in the sciences, the economy, and society. Liberalism and capitalism go hand in hand. Liberals In a communist society, the central plan economy is like the free market because it easily creates more wealth. the dominant mode of production. This means that the means of production are owned and controlled CONSERVATISM by the state, rather than by individual capitalists. Conservatism is a political ideology or doctrine that In a communist society, there is no central emphasizes the value of traditional institutions and government. A communist society is one in which the practices. It is a preference for the historically inherited means of production are owned by the community rather than the abstract and ideal. Stability is a precious as a whole, and the distribution of goods and thing, and change must be made gradually in order to services is based on need rather than profit. It is also preserve it. Undermining stability is very dangerous because an egalitarian society in which there is no place for societies can easily fall into chaos and violence. Liberalism is inequality. There is no such thing as private property. too abstract. It focuses on freedom and equality, not on the The state owns all property and the means of concrete way people live every day, which is the focus of production and controls the economy. The state conservatism. Humans are frequently ignorant, prejudiced, centralized economic planning and decision-making. and irrational. There is no universal answer to the problems of society; the circumstances are unique in each country. SOCIALISM FASCISM Socialism is an economic system in which the factors of production are valued in relation to their A way of organizing a society in which a government ruled by usefulness to people. a dictator controls the lives of the people and in which people are not allowed to disagree with the government. The mantra of socialism is, "From each according to Fascist regimes are characterized by a strong central his ability, to each according to his contribution." authority led by a single charismatic leader who holds Socialists take into account both individual needs and significant power and often seeks to concentrate power in greater social needs. They allocate resources using their hands. Individual freedoms and civil liberties are often central planning, as in a command economy. restricted in the name of national unity and strength. Fascist Everyone in society receives a share of the regimes cultivate images of their leaders as great figures to production based on how much they have be loved and admired, often through mass media and contributed, and the system motivates them to work propaganda. Fascist governments are anti-democratic, leave long hours if they want to receive more. Workers little room for dissent, and strive to centralize power. This receive their share of production after a percentage ideology stands in contrast to liberal democracies. has been deducted for the common good. Human The best form of government is that which is most likely to beings are social by nature, and society should prevent the greatest sum of evil. - James Monroe respect this. Individualism is poisonous.