The document discusses several topics related to Filipino culture and history, including: 1) It is argued that returning to indigenous Filipino culture could help strengthen democracy by reviving the communal spirit said to have been lost to Western individualism. 2) In 16th century Luzon and the Visayas, the major source of wealth was slavery rather than land ownership, due to the low population density. 3) Different forms of land technology and production, such as swidden cultivation, wet rice cultivation, and mechanized wet rice cultivation, influenced property relations in different ways, ranging from usufruct to private or communal ownership.

2.  It is often said that the Filipino has been
“naturally communal” and has lost this
because of “Western individualism”. Allegedly
in order to create a strong democratic
foundation, we must go back to our
indigenous culture. Also, the solution, may be
not just going back to our indigenous
culture, but likewise re-
interpreting, transforming, broadening it in
terms of concerns of a contemporary 20th
century nation-state.

3.  The major source of wealth in 16th century
Luzon and the Visayas was indeed not
land, for the population density was low.
Rather it was manpower which could be
bought and sold, in other words, slavery in
the strict sense of the term.

4.  Concerning land: in both ecological and
Marxist approaches, there is appreciation for
the fact that property relations are influenced
by the nature of the of production.
 Three forms of technology thus
emerged, each of which has implications for
property relations.

5.  Swidden Cultivation – Usufruct rather than
ownership of land.
 Non-mechanized wet rice cultivation – Private
ownership of riceland.
 Mechanized wet rice cultivation – Private
ownership of riceland. May favor cooperative
ventures leading to communal ownership.

6.  Non-state – In simple form: headman chosen
on the basis of skills. Little power. Scope of
authority.
 - In complex form: leader may inherit
position. Has power over both free followers
and slaves.
 Pre-Democratic State – Generally hereditary
ruler. Has power over all the subjects.
 Democratic State – Elected executive serving
a fixed term. Legislative and judicial powers
separate.

7.  Political & Religious Factors
1. Non-state with-aboriginal religion.
2. Weak state with high religion, e.g.
Christianity or Islam
3. Strong/effective state with high religion

8. 1. Tendency to regard Kin group as the moral
universe.
2. Moral linkages with wider society may be
weak; tendency to seek refuge in kin group
3. Moral linkages with wider society may be
stronger