This workbook is designed for Grade 12 social science students in the Philippines. It covers concepts of politics and governance based on the Department of Education curriculum. The document defines key terms and concepts, explains the historical development of political philosophy, and describes the structure of the Philippine government system with executive, legislative, and judicial branches separated by powers. Students are provided activities to define terms and write an essay on Philippine politics and governance.

1. PHILIPPINE
POLITICS AND
GOVERNANCE
…introduces the students to the basic
concepts and vital elements of politics
and governance from a historical-
institutional perspective.

2. GENERAL OBJECTIVES
•This workbook is designed to be used
by the learners in the Grade 12 Social
Science classes. It conforms to the
prescribed course content
requirements of the Department of
Education (DepEd) course map for
Grade 12 Philippine Politics and
Governance.

3. •According to the Course Description
mandated by the DepEd, this course
introduces the students to the basic
concepts and vital elements of politics
and governance from a historical-
institutional perspective.

4. • In particular, it attempts to explain how the
important features of our country’s political
structures/institutions, processes, and
relationships developed across time.
• In the process, the course helps the learners
gain a better appreciation of their rights and
responsibilities as individuals and as
members of the larger sociopolitical
community to strengthen their civic
competence.

5. • The lessons were crafted and organized to
develop the critical thinking of the Grade 12
students, equip them with comprehensive
understanding of Philippine Politics and
Governance and imbue them with the essential
core values envisioned by the DepEd and
prepare them to become responsible and
productive members of the community, in
particular and the country, in general. It is
expected that this worktext would stimulate the
learner’s appetite for learning vis a vis with the
use of modern technology and other pedagogical
media.

6. UNIT I: CONCEPTS
OF POLITICS AND
GOVERNANCE
LESSON 1: THE MEANING OF
POLITICS

8. PLATO and ARISTOTLE
• Plato was considered the
“father of rationalism and
political philosophy”
(political idealism)
• Idealism: Dealing with
things as they should be.
• Political Philosophy: The
philosophy of politics from
a metaphysic and reason-
based perspective.
• Aristotle, his student,
the “father of
empiricism and
political science”
(political realism)
• Realism: Dealing with
things as they are.
• Political Science: The
science of politics, based
on empirical evidence.

9. WHAT IS POLITICS
• Politics is the way in which we
understand and order our social affairs,
and acquire greater control over the
situation.
• It is also the strategy for maintaining
cooperation among people with different
needs and ideals in life, or for resolving
the conflict within the group, whether this
is a family, a tribe, a village or a nation-
state.

10. • According to Harold Lasswell, Politics is concerned with
determination, by official governmental decision making
and action, of:
• Who in political society receives what benefits, rewards,
and advantages and how much of them they receive,
• When they receive the benefits, rewards, and
advantages, and
• What are the methods by which they receive them.
• Conversely, politics is also concerned with determining, by
governmental decision making and action, (1) who in
society is denied what benefits, rewards, and advantages,
(2) when and how long they are denied them, and (3) the
methods by which they are subjected to such
deprivations.

11. POLITICS AND EVERYDAY LIFE
Politics is all about the way human beings are governed,
which involves order, power, and justice. It is not just an
abstract study.
• It involves the government’s day-to-day performance;
• It does not affect only one individual, but is inextricably
bound up with the perpetual quest for what is fair or just in
light of the interest of the entire community;
• Issue is more or less political based on the extent that the
use of political power affects the lives and well-being of
private citizens; and
• An issue becomes political when the government must
render a decision, which must always be for the common
good of the community.

12. POLITICS IN THE PHILIPPINES
• Takes place in an organized framework of a
presidential, representative, and democratic
republic
• It revolves around the three separate and
sovereign yet interdependent branches: The
Legislative branch (the law-making body,
Article VI, 1987 Philippine Constitution); The
Executive branch (the law-enforcing body,
Article VII, 1987 Philippine Constitution); and
The Judicial branch (the law-interpreting body,
Article VIII, 1987 Philippine Constitution).

13. PHILIPPINE POLITICSAND GOVERNANCE

16. • (1) Executive power is exercised by the
government under the leadership of the
president (Section 1, Article VI, 1987
Philippine Constitution);
• (2) Legislative power is vested in the two-
chamber Congress — the Senate (the upper
chamber) and the House of Representatives
(the lower chamber), (Section 1, Article VI,
1987 Philippine Constitution);
• (3) Judicial power is vested in one Supreme
Court and such Lower Courts as may be
established by Law (Section 1, Article VIII,
1987 Philippine Constitution).

17. ACTIVITY 1
1. Politics _____________________________________
2. Political Science______________________________
3. Government__________________________________
___________________________________________
4. State________________________________________
___________________________________________
5. Sovereignty_________________________________
6. Nation_______________________________________
DEFINE THE FOLLOWING WORDS OR
PHRASES:

18. ACTIVITY 2
• Write an Essay on Philippine Politics
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