Notes in Philippine Politics and Governance

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NOTES IN PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE
Prepared by: Ms. Jerlyn Mae S. Quiliope
What isPolitics?
Politicsin General
 The word “politics” comes from the Greek word “polis” which means “city-state.” In the ancient world, city-states are small
countries regarded as centers of culture and civilization where people interact under a unified government. What transpires in
the polisis politics. Theoriginofthewordthereforesuggests that politicsisaterm encompassingthetotalityof humanactivities
transpiring within the city-state.
 Politicsdenotesa social activity.It is in essencetheinteractionof individuals.As the Greek philosopherAristotleexplains,it
is the master science through whichindividuals collectivelyset structure, purpose, and ideals in their lives. Politics, therefore,
does not emerge from the activities of a single individual but from that of many.
 Politics is aboutconflict and cooperation. On the one hand, conflict is caused by the diversity among individuals. People
differ inthe way they perceivethings,anddisagreeinalmostevery conceivableaspectoflife. Onthe otherhand, cooperationis
motivated by men’scommongoal of achieving a happylife. While it is true that menargueand fight, it is alsoundeniablethat
they desirefor peace.Theprocessof overcomingconflictto attain order and thereafter maintainthat orderis politics.In other
words, politics is essentiallyconflict resolution.
 Politicsisthe creation,maintenance,and amendmentofsocietal normsorrules.Whilepoliticsasconflictresolutionaims
at establishingorderinthesociety,thebasisofordertodayislaw.Undeniably,religionandotherarchaicinstitutionshavealready
lost their central role as sources of order. It is law now that serves as the undisputed order-establishinginstitution. Politics
therefore, in its broadsense meansconflict resolutionthroughthe creation, maintenance,andamendmentof societal norms or
rules.
Definition of Politics
 Politics is the science of government. As a science, it is a systematic body of knowledge (for the most part, practical) that
deals with the government and regulation, maintenance and development, and defense and augmentation of the state. It also
dealswiththeprotectionoftherightsof itscitizens, safeguardingandenhancementofmorals,andharmonyandpeaceofhuman
relations.
 However, other Political Scientists (people who devote their academics careers to the study of Political Science) prefer to
define politics as the art, rather than the science, of government. It is an art because it involves the exercise of control or
authority within the societythrough the creation and enforcement of consensus arrived at bythe leaders.
 Politics is the owning and exercising of power, rule, authorityand influence for whatever reasons.
 It is commonlydefinedas the processthat determinesthe distributionof powerand resourcesanda theory of practiceofhow
people influence others in making decisions and carrying out projects and programs.
 Politicsasdefined withinaPoliticalScience-referstohumanbehaviorwithregardtomattersrelatedtogovernment activities
such as formulation and execution of policies, creations of laws, selection of government officials , negotiation with foreign
governments and other entities or organizations and more.
People who define Politics
 David Easton means when he defined politics as the “authoritative allocation of values.” Under this definition, politics
takes placeonlywithin the polity or the machineryof the government. In other words, only the processesand events that
happeninthe governmentbureaus,departments,andofficesare said to be “political”whilethoseoutside,likebusinesses,
religion, and family, are “non-political.” It is in this sense also that politicians and political parties are said to be “political”
while civil societyis said to be non-political.
 Aristotle said “man by nature is a political animal,” he means that man is naturallyinclined to live in a society. Aside
from his private life, man must have a public life, for this perfects his essence and gives him the “good life.”
 Politicsis who getswhat,when,andhow.Thisisthefamousdefinition ofHaroldLasswell.Thedefinitionunderscores
therealityof “scarcity”inthesociety. Whilehumanneedsandwantsaresodiverseandnumerous,theresourcesarealways
limited. The struggleinvolved in allocating the scarceresources, and determiningwhat to produce, how to distribute, and
use them is said to be politics.
 According to Ponton and Gill,politicsisthe way in which socialaffairs areunderstoodandordered,andby which people
acquiregreater control over the situation. Thedefinitionputs to lightthe different politicalideologiesandphilosophiesthat
underliesocietalstructures.“Order”andthe “understandingof reality” are shapedby the politicalorientationofthe people.
That bywhich people view and organize the world is said to be politics.
 Ernesto Maceda (former Senator) define politics as the art to compromise to achieve certain ends.
 Jovito R. Salonga (former Senate Pres.) define politics as simply the capacityto say no to something dangerous and
inimical to public interest.
 Without politics,there is anarchyand a state of constantwar. But its existenceestablishesorderin various forms. It gives
rise to different kindsof governments: monarchy,aristocracyand democracy.Thatthe societyshouldbe ruledby a single

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individual,by a selectedfew, or by allis a matter of preferencethatdepends on the temperamentof the affected groupof
people. What is important is that politics helps the people acquire greater control over the vagaries of their existence
Political Science
 Branch of social sciences that deals with the stud of politics
 It deals with the systems of government and the analysis of political activity, political behavior, and political theories and
practicesthatdraws uponthe field of economics,law,sociology, history, anthropology, public administration,public policy,
national politics, international relations, comparative politics, psychology, political org. and more.
 Political scientists (those who devote their academic career to the studyof Political Science)
 Jean Bodin (1530-96, a French jurist and political philosopher) coined the term “Political Science”
 Charles-Louis de Secondat, Baron de La Brede et de Montesquieu (1689-1755, French judge famous on his theory of
Separationof powersinthe branchesofgovernment)—formallydefinedpoliticalsciencewhenheassumed thatlibertywas
best assured bythe distribution of the different functions among separate political institutions.
 Plato –is consideredtobe the first politicalscientist.( TheRepublic-divinerightof the Kings)—to Plato only an elitegroup
of philosopherkingsor“guardians”hada politicalwisdom necessaryto govern. Thus,a societywouldbe one whereeach
knew his place with the guardians on top. He is regarded as the parent of political philosophy.
 Aristotle ( focusmoreon the stud of logic,scienceandpolitics—servedasthe tutor of Alexander the Great(he conquered
Persia, Egypt, Syria, Iraq and more) --the father of Political Science.
 Aristotle ancient world’s foremost authorityon the constitution which had a dual definition: first, formallyestablished and
writtenrules of governance andsecondconsistedoftheinformalprocessesofpolitics—thepolitical cultureandcommunity.
Fields of Study and Branches of Political Science
 Political Theory—concerned with the study of ideas and contributions of Classical Thinkers such as Aristotle, Niccolo
Machiavelli, Cicero, Plato and manyothers.
 ComparativePolitics—comparesandanalyzesthevarious types of constitutions,politicalactors,legislatureandassociated
fields among countries as well as within a single countryover a period of tie.
 Public Administration—the studyof the implementation of government policyand public service
 International relations—deals with the political-economic interaction between nation-states as well as intergovernmental
and transnational organizations
 Public Law—is the field of law that studies the relationship between the government and citizens.
 Political Methodology-- branch of political sciences that uses quantitative methods to describe and define political
phenomena.
What is governance?
 The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)—define governance as the exercise of political, economic, and
administrative authorityin the management of a country’s affairs at all levels.
 The abilityof the government to generate trust that allows people to work together towards national development.
 Theword“governance”camefrom theLatin verb “gubernare,”ormoreoriginallyfrom the Greekword “kubernaein,”which
means “to steer.” Basing on its etymology, governance refers to the manner of steering or governing, or of directing and
controlling, a group of people or a state.
 Governanceis essentiallyrelated to politics, in that politics is often defined as the art of governance.Just as politicstalks
aboutgovernments,institutions,power,order, andthe idealsofjustice,governancealsodealswiththepublic sector,power
structures, equity, and ideals of public administration. Nevertheless, they are distinct from each other in the sense that
politics is broader than governance.
 Governanceiscommonlydefinedasthe exerciseofpowerorauthoritybypoliticalleadersforthewell-beingoftheircountry’s
citizensor subjects. It is the complexprocesswherebysomesectorsofthe societywieldpower, andenactandpromulgate
public policieswhichdirectlyaffect humanandinstitutionalinteractions,andeconomicandsocial development.Thepower
exercisedbythe participatingsectorsofthesocietyis always for the commongood,asitis essentialfor demandingrespect
andcooperationfromthecitizensandthestate.As such,agreatdealaboutgovernanceistheproperandeffectiveutilization
of resources.
People who define Governance
 Jess Robredo –“effective governanceis a mindset”.It is a desire. It is an attitude of a leadersto be the best that they can
be in the deliveryof public service. It is about becoming excellent in meeting public expectations.
 “Think New, Act New” Think Global act local”
 Josefina M. Dela Cruz (former governor Bulacan)—defines governance as nothing more than use of political power to be
effective, efficient and responsive to the needs of the people.
 Bayani Fernando(CityofMarikina,multiawardedmayor)—saysthatfor governancetotakea root,the presenceofastrong,
stern, strict, dedicated leadership is needed.
 Accordingtohim,governancewithoutconvictioncannotpossiblygovern,cannothavea mindofitsownandthus, caneasily
be pressured. (a must to have a strong political will to go over and above the transformation)

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Difference between government, nation and state
 Government-agencythroughwhichthewillof the state areformulated,expressedcarriedout.
KindsofGovernment
 De jureor LegitimateGovernment—establishedaccordingtotheConstitutionof the nation,lawfullyentitledto recognitionand
supremacyandadministrationofthenation.
 De factoror IllegitimateGovernment—maintainsitselfbya displayof forceagainstthe willof the rightful legalgovernment.
Therearethreekinds of de factogovernment, to wit: by revolution, secessionandoccupation.
 Governmentby Revolution—establishedaninhabitantswhorisein revolt againstthe deposedlegitimateregime.
 Governmentby Secession—establishedbythe inhabitantsofa state whosecedetherefrom withoutoverthrowingits
government.
 Governmentby Occupation—establishedinthecourseofwar by invadingforcesof onebelligerentcountryin the territory of
anotherbelligerentcountry.
Purposeand necessityofGovernment:
 Advancementof Public Welfare – benefit of the people;protectionof society
 Consequenceofabsence –avoidthe accessofgovernment;fight againstdisorder/anarchy(chaos)
DifferentFormsofGovernment:
1. As to numberof personsexercisingsovereignpowers
a. Monarchy –powerbelongstoone personin whichthesupremeandfinalauthorityis in the handsof as singleperson,e.g.
king, queen,empress,withoutregardto the sourceof hiselectionornature or declarationofhistenure.
Classifications:
i. Absolute Monarchy– whichtherulerrules by divine right; given by God;e.g. Thailand,SaudiArabia
ii. LimitedMonarchy– whichthe rulerrulesin accordancewithaconstitution;e.g. England –Britain
b. Aristocracy –poweris inthe handsof few people;whichthe politicalpowerisexercisedbya few privilegedclass;also
knownas oligarchy
c. Democracy –whichthepoliticalpowerisexercisedbythe majorityof the people,or by the peopleitself.
Classifications:
i. Direct/Pure Democracy– whichthewillof the state is formulatedor expresseddirectlythroughthe people
ii. Indirect/Representative –Republican
2. As to extent of powersexercisedbya centralornationalgovernment
a. UnitaryGov’t–in whichthecontrolof nationalandlocalaffairsis exercisedbythe central/nationalgov’t;e.g. Philippine
constitution
b. Federal Gov’t–whichthepowersof gov’t are dividedbetweentwo sets of organs:one for nationalaffairs and localaffairs
(governors)
3. As to relationshipbetweentheexecutiveand the legislativebranchesofthe gov’t
a. ParliamentaryGov’t–whichthestate catersuponthe legislativethe powerto terminatethetenure of the officeof the “real”
executive
b. Presidential Gov’t–whichthestate makesthe executiveconstitutionallyindependentofthe legislativeas regard histenure
4. As to the numberof tenureof the officials
a. Hereditary
b. Elective/Popular
**Philippines is a representative democracy, a unitary, and presidential government with separation of powers.
 Nation –is a groupof peopleboundtogetherby certaincharacteristicssuchascommonsocialorigin,language,customs,and
traditions, andwhobelieve that they are one anddistinctfrom others
 State – communityof personsmoreor lessnumerous,permanentlyoccupyingadefiniteportionof territory, having a
governmentof their ownto whichthegreat bodyof inhabitantsrenderobedience,andenjoyingfreedom from externalcontrol.
Nation State
Ethnic concept Politicalconcept
Mayor maynot be controlledbyexternalcontrol(foreign
countries)
Cannotbe controlledbyother countries(external)
Oneraceonly Consistsof different races
Origin ofStates:
 Divineright theory– the state is of divine creationandthe ruleris ordainedbyGod to govern the people.
 Necessity or force theory– states musthave beencreatedthroughforce,by somegreat warriorswhoimposedtheirwillupon
the weak
 Paternalistictheory - attributes the originof states to the enlargementofthe familywhichremainedundertheauthorityof the
father or mother.By naturalstages, the familygrewinto a clan,then developedintoa tribe whichbroadenedintoanation, and
the nationbecameastate.

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 Socialcontract theory – states musthave been formedbydeliberateandvoluntary compactamongthepeopletoform a
societyandorganize governmentfor their commongood.Thistheoryjustifiesthe right of the peopleto revolt againsta bad
ruler.
ElementsofState
1. People –a massof populationorcommunityof peoplelivingwithin the territorialjurisdictionofstate.
2. Territory-Thespacewithinwhichthegovernmentexerciseitssupremeauthority.
Modes of Acquiring a Territory
 Discoveryand Occupation-astate mayacquireaterritory by discoveringa continent,anislandor landwith no
inhabitantsor occupiedbyuncivilizedinhabitantsandthereafter, occupyingit,by placingitunderits political
administration.
 Prescription-itis a modeof acquiringterritorythrough continuousandundisputedexerciseofsovereigntyover it during
suchperiodas it is necessaryto createunderthe generalconvictionthatthepresent conditionofthingsis in conformity
with internationalorder.
 Cession – it is the assignment,transfer or yieldingup of territory by one state or governmentto another. It maybe ina
form of saleor donation.
 Subjugationandannexation-itis a modeof acquiringterritorybelongingtoa state inthe courseof war andby
annexationat the endof the war.
 Accretion-modeofacquiringterritoryby additionof portionsof soil, eitherartificialorby gradualdispositionthroughthe
operationof naturalcauses.
3. Government-agencythroughwhichthewillof the state areformulated,expressedcarriedout.
4. Sovereignty–thesupremepowerofthe state to enforceitswillupon its citizenthrough laws.It also meansindependence
from the controlof other states. It has two aspects:
 Internalsovereignty- w/c meanscompleteauthorityto rule over the peopleinsidethestate
 Externalsovereignty (often referred as independence) –whichmeansindependencefrom outsideorforeigncontrol.
Understanding Political Ideologies
 Ideology - refers to a system of beliefs about how societyshould function, behave, and operate
 PoliticalIdeology isaset of relatedbeliefsabout politicaltheoryand policyheldby an individual,groupof individualsor a
particular social class.
Major Political Ideologies
1. Anarchism - The belief that the best government is absolutely no government. This ideology argues that everything about
governments is repressive and therefore must be abolished entirely.
2. Absolutism-Thebeliefthata singleruler should have control over everyaspect of the government and of the people’s lives.
3. Liberalism - Aset of political beliefs emphasizing individual rights and liberties
4. Conservatism -A set of politicalbeliefsbasedonpreservationof customsandtraditions that define the character of a society
5. Socialism - Aset of political beliefs emphasizing communityand social equality