[GROUP 4] GOVERNMENT & POLITICS Political Party

Group Overview

  • Group Name: GROUP 4

  • Class: BSED SS 3-1

  • Subject: GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

  • Presented by: Erika Shania G. Valencia

Political Party System

Overview

In a democratic context, political parties can either be ideology-based or influenced by personal patronage and personalities. This raises important questions regarding governance and public trust.

Formation of Political Parties

Political parties are crucial democratic institutions that have evolved throughout history to meet varying political needs. Initially seen in ancient Rome, they transformed through the 17th century in England, leading to contemporary multiparty systems in the 20th century.

Origins and Early Political Landscape

  • Early Parties (1900-1935):

    • Federalista Party (1900): First political party advocating U.S. statehood.

    • Nacionalista Party (1907): Emerged as the dominant party pushing for Philippine independence.

    • Other parties like Progressista and Republican appeared but lacked longevity.

  • Pre-World War II Politics (1935-1941):

    • The Nacionalista Party maintained control over elections, facing limited competition from opposition parties.

  • World War II & Japanese Occupation (1941-1945):

    • The KALIBAPI party, backed by the Japanese, temporarily replaced all political parties.

  • Post-War Politics (1946-1972):

    • The Liberal Party (LP) was established as a breakaway from Nacionalista, leading to a two-party system.

  • Martial Law Period (1972):

    • Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) dominated under Ferdinand Marcos, suppressing opposition groups.

  • Democratic Transition (1986-Present):

    • Post-Marcos, the rise of multiple parties and frequent shifts in coalition alliances, including PDP-Laban, UNIDO, and Lakas-NUCD.

Political Party Ideologies

  • PDP-Laban: Focuses on federalism, economic nationalism, led by bold leadership.

  • Lakas-CMD: Emphasizes Christian democracy and conservatism.

  • Liberal Party: Advocates human rights and democratic social policies.

  • Nacionalista Party: Prioritizes national identity with a conservative approach.

  • Makabayan Bloc: Represents progressive values advocating for social justice.

Current System Analysis

Multiparty Dynamics

The Philippine political system is characterized as a multiparty setup, leading to fragmented governance and coalition instability due to the absence of a dominant party.

Influence of Personalities

Unlike in more ideologically driven democracies, Philippine political parties often revolve around personal alliances. Candidate appeal overshadows party platforms.

Challenges

  • Weak Ideological Foundations: Most parties lack clear ideologies leading to poor differentiation and weak loyalty.

  • Turncoatism: Frequent party-switching by politicians complicates loyalty and unity within parties.

  • Patronage Politics: Political parties often act as tools for elite families, reinforcing political dynasties instead of focusing on policy reforms.

  • Election-Oriented Formation: Many parties emerge solely for electoral gain, leading to instability post-elections.

Governance Effects

  • Short-term focus on populist measures rather than sustainable policies.

  • Inefficiencies due to weak party discipline obstruct comprehensive reforms.

  • Voter apathy stemming from perceived futility in political participation.

  • Over-reliance on presidential influence undermining legislative independence.

Proposed Reforms

Political Party Development Act

The act aims to strengthen political parties and enhance the democratization process.

  • State Subsidy for Political Parties: Provides funding aimed at institutionalization and encouraging ideological commitment.

  • Campaign Finance Transparency: Mandates disclosure of campaign contributions to uphold accountability.

  • Anti-Turncoatism: Prohibits party-switching post-election to reinforce party loyalty.

Comparative Analysis of Political Systems

Features Comparison

  • Philippines: Multi-party system promoting fragmented governance.

  • Japan: Dominant-party system with stable yet coalitional governance.

  • United States: Two-party system fostering polarization and consistent opposition.

Conclusion

Voter education and systemic reforms are essential for fostering a more engaged citizenry and strengthening the political landscape, allowing for a robust democracy.