NOTES IN PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE

Prepared by: Ms. Jerlyn Mae S. Quiliope

What is Politics?
Politics in 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 polis is politics. The origin of the word therefore suggests that politics is a term encompassing the totality of human
activities transpiring within the city-state.
 Politics denotes a social activity . It is in essence the interaction of individuals. As the Greek philosopher Aristotle explains,
it is the master science through which individuals collectively set 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 about conflict and cooperation . On the one hand, conflict is caused by the diversity among individuals. People
differ in the way they perceive things, and disagree in almost every conceivable aspect of life. On the other hand, cooperation
is motivated by men’s common goal of achieving a happy life. While it is true that men argue and fight, it is also undeniable
that they desire for peace. The process of overcoming conflict to attain order and thereafter maintain that order is politics. In
other words, politics is essentially conflict resolution.
 Politics is the creation, maintenance, and amendment of societal norms or rules . While politics as conflict resolution
aims at establishing order in the society, the basis of order today is law. Undeniably, religion and other archaic institutions have
already lost their central role as sources of order. It is law now that serves as the undisputed order-establishing institution.
Politics therefore, in its broad sense means conflict resolution through the creation, maintenance, and amendment of 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
deals with the protection of the rights of its citizens, safeguarding and enhancement of morals, and harmony and peace of
human 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 society through the creation and enforcement of consensus arrived at by the leaders.
 Politics is the owning and exercising of power, rule, authority and influence for whatever reasons.
 It is commonly defined as the process that determines the distribution of power and resources and a theory of practice of how
people influence others in making decisions and carrying out projects and programs.
 Politics as defined within a Political Science-refers to human behavior with regard to matters related to government
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 place only within the polity or the machinery of the government. In other words, only the processes and events that
happen in the government bureaus, departments, and offices are said to be “political” while those outside, like businesses,
religion, and family, are “non-political.” It is in this sense also that politicians and political parties are said to be “political”
while civil society is said to be non-political.
 Aristotle said “man by nature is a political animal ,” he means that man is naturally inclined 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.”
 Politics is who gets what, when, and how . This is the famous definition of Harold Lasswell . The definition
underscores the reality of “scarcity” in the society. While human needs and wants are so diverse and numerous, the
resources are always limited. The struggle involved in allocating the scarce resources, and determining what to produce,
how to distribute, and use them is said to be politics.
 According to Ponton and Gill, politics is the way in which social affairs are understood and ordered, and by which
people acquire greater control over the situation. The definition puts to light the different political ideologies and
philosophies that underlie societal structures. “Order” and the “understanding of reality” are shaped by the political
orientation of the people. That by which 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 capacity to say no to something dangerous and
inimical to public interest.
 Without politics, there is anarchy and a state of constant war. But its existence establishes order in various forms. It gives
rise to different kinds of governments: monarchy, aristocracy and democracy. That the society should be ruled by a single

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 individual, by a selected few, or by all is a matter of preference that depends on the temperament of the affected group of
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
practices that draws upon the 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 study of 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
Separation of powers in the branches of government)—formally defined political science when he assumed that liberty
was best assured by the distribution of the different functions among separate political institutions.
 Plato –is considered to be the first political scientist. ( The Republic-divine right of the Kings)—to Plato only an elite group
of philosopher kings or “guardians” had a political wisdom necessary to govern. Thus, a society would be one where each
knew his place with the guardians on top. He is regarded as the parent of political philosophy.
 Aristotle ( focus more on the stud of logic, science and politics—served as the tutor of Alexander the Great (he conquered
Persia, Egypt, Syria, Iraq and more) --the father of Political Science.
 Aristotle ancient world’s foremost authority on the constitution which had a dual definition: first, formally established and
written rules of governance and second consisted of the informal processes of politics—the political culture and
community.
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 many others.
 Comparative Politics—compares and analyzes the various types of constitutions, political actors, legislature and
associated fields among countries as well as within a single country over a period of tie.
 Public Administration—the study of the implementation of government policy and 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 authority in the management of a country’s affairs at all levels.
 The ability of the government to generate trust that allows people to work together towards national development.
 The word “governance” came from the Latin verb “gubernare,” or more originally from the Greek word “ 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.
 Governance is essentially related to politics, in that politics is often defined as the art of governance. Just as politics talks
about governments, institutions, power, order, and the ideals of justice, governance also deals with the public 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.
 Governance is commonly defined as the exercise of power or authority by political leaders for the well-being of their
country’s citizens or subjects. It is the complex process whereby some sectors of the society wield power, and enact and
promulgate public policies which directly affect human and institutional interactions, and economic and social
development. The power exercised by the participating sectors of the society is always for the common good, as it is
essential for demanding respect and cooperation from the citizens and the state. As such, a great deal about governance
is the proper and effective utilization of resources.
People who define Governance
 Jess Robredo –“effective governance is a mindset”. It is a desire. It is an attitude of a leaders to be the best that they can
be in the delivery of 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 (City of Marikina, multi awarded mayor)—says that for governance to take a root, the presence of a
strong, stern, strict, dedicated leadership is needed.

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  According to him, governance without conviction cannot possibly govern, cannot have a mind of its own and thus, can
easily be pressured. (a must to have a strong political will to go over and above the transformation)
Difference between government, nation and state
 Government- agency through which the will of the state are formulated, expressed carried out.
Kinds of Government
 De jure or Legitimate Government—established according to the Constitution of the nation, lawfully entitled to recognition and
supremacy and administration of the nation.
 De factor or Illegitimate Government—maintains itself by a display of force against the will of the rightful legal government.
There are three kinds of de facto government, to wit: by revolution, secession and occupation.
 Government by Revolution—established an inhabitants who rise in revolt against the deposed legitimate regime.
 Government by Secession—established by the inhabitants of a state who secede therefrom without overthrowing its
government.
 Government by Occupation—established in the course of war by invading forces of one belligerent country in the territory of
another belligerent country.
Purpose and necessity of Government:
 Advancement of Public Welfare – benefit of the people; protection of society
 Consequence of absence – avoid the access of government; fight against disorder/anarchy (chaos)
Different Forms of Government:
1. As to number of persons exercising sovereign powers
a. Monarchy – power belongs to one person in which the supreme and final authority is in the hands of as single person, e.g.
king, queen, empress, without regard to the source of his election or nature or declaration of his tenure.
Classifications:
i. Absolute Monarchy – which the ruler rules by divine right; given by God; e.g. Thailand, Saudi Arabia
ii. Limited Monarchy – which the ruler rules in accordance with a constitution; e.g. England – Britain
b. Aristocracy – power is in the hands of few people; which the political power is exercised by a few privileged class; also
known as oligarchy
c. Democracy – which the political power is exercised by the majority of the people, or by the people itself.
Classifications:
i. Direct/Pure Democracy – which the will of the state is formulated or expressed directly through the people
ii. Indirect/Representative – Republican
2. As to extent of powers exercised by a central or national government
a. Unitary Gov’t – in which the control of national and local affairs is exercised by the central/national gov’t; e.g. Philippine
constitution
b. Federal Gov’t – which the powers of gov’t are divided between two sets of organs: one for national affairs and local affairs
(governors)
3. As to relationship between the executive and the legislative branches of the gov’t
a. Parliamentary Gov’t – which the state caters upon the legislative the power to terminate the tenure of the office of the “real”
executive
b. Presidential Gov’t – which the state makes the executive constitutionally independent of the legislative as regard his tenure
4. As to the number of tenure of the officials
a. Hereditary
b. Elective/Popular
**Philippines is a representative democracy, a unitary, and presidential government with separation of powers.
 Nation – is a group of people bound together by certain characteristics such as common social origin, language, customs, and
traditions, and who believe that they are one and distinct from others

 State – community of persons more or less numerous, permanently occupying a definite portion of territory, having a
government of their own to which the great body of inhabitants render obedience, and enjoying freedom from external control.
Nation State
Ethnic concept Political concept
May or may not be controlled by external control (foreign Cannot be controlled by other countries (external)
countries)
One race only Consists of different races
Origin of States:
 Divine right theory – the state is of divine creation and the ruler is ordained by God to govern the people.
 Necessity or force theory – states must have been created through force, by some great warriors who imposed their will upon
the weak

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 Paternalistic theory - attributes the origin of states to the enlargement of the family which remained under the authority of the
father or mother. By natural stages, the family grew into a clan, then developed into a tribe which broadened into a nation, and
the nation became a state.
 Social contract theory – states must have been formed by deliberate and voluntary compact among the people to form a
society and organize government for their common good. This theory justifies the right of the people to revolt against a bad
ruler.
Elements of State
1. People – a mass of population or community of people living within the territorial jurisdiction of state.
2. Territory- The space within which the government exercise its supreme authority.
Modes of Acquiring a Territory
 Discovery and Occupation- a state may acquire a territory by discovering a continent, an island or land with no
inhabitants or occupied by uncivilized inhabitants and thereafter, occupying it, by placing it under its political
administration.
 Prescription- it is a mode of acquiring territory through continuous and undisputed exercise of sovereignty over it during
such period as it is necessary to create under the general conviction that the present condition of things is in conformity
with international order.
 Cession – it is the assignment, transfer or yielding up of territory by one state or government to another. It may be in a
form of sale or donation.
 Subjugation and annexation- it is a mode of acquiring territory belonging to a state in the course of war and by
annexation at the end of the war.
 Accretion- mode of acquiring territory by addition of portions of soil, either artificial or by gradual disposition through the
operation of natural causes.
3. Government- agency through which the will of the state are formulated, expressed carried out.
4. Sovereignty– the supreme power of the state to enforce its will upon its citizen through laws. It also means independence
from the control of other states. It has two aspects:
 Internal sovereignty- w/c means complete authority to rule over the people inside the state
 External sovereignty (often referred as independence) – which means independence from outside or foreign control.
Understanding Political Ideologies
 Ideology - refers to a system of beliefs about how society should function, behave, and operate
 Political Ideology is a set of related beliefs about political theory and policy held by an individual, group of individuals or
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 - The belief that a single ruler should have control over every aspect of the government and of the people’s lives.
3. Liberalism - A set of political beliefs emphasizing individual rights and liberties
4. Conservatism - A set of political beliefs based on preservation of customs and traditions that define the character of a society
5. Socialism - A set of political beliefs emphasizing community and social equality