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PPGC Week 1_merged

PHILIPPINE POLITICS, GOVERNMENT, AND CITIZENSHIP

WEEK 1: POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE

AGENDA

  • Nature and Definition of Politics

  • The Study of Politics: Political Science

  • Importance of Politics and Government

  • Meaning of Governance

  • Characteristics of Good Governance

  • Approaches in the Study of Different Political Structures and Institutions

NATURE OF POLITICS

  • Politics exists due to disagreements about aims and methods (S. G. Richards, 1978).

  • Politics involves conflict which requires the acquisition of power to achieve political objectives.

  • It is the mechanism through which we understand and organize social relations and resolve conflicts.

DEFINITIONS OF POLITICS

  • Politics as the strategy for maintaining cooperation among people with differing ideals (Amable Tuibeo).

  • Harold Lasswell defines politics as questions surrounding "who gets what, when, and how."

STUDY OF POLITICS: POLITICAL SCIENCE

  • Political Science systematically studies political structures, processes, and behavior.

  • Traditional approach: Normative view of politics based on ethics and institutions.

  • Behavioral approach: Emphasis on scientific, empirical methods, and value-free study of political phenomena.

IMPORTANCE OF POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

  • Awareness of political events is crucial for personal impact.

  • Political decisions affect many lives, highlighting the need for informed citizenry.

  • The political illiterate is unaware of the implications of decisions made (Bertolt Brecht).

MEANING OF GOVERNANCE

  • Governance (from Latin "gubernare"; Greek "kubernaein") means to steer.

  • It concerns the exercise of power by societal sectors to enact public policies and manage social development.

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD GOVERNANCE

  • Participation: Involvement of diverse societal sectors in decision-making.

  • Rule of Law: Governance must adhere to laws that protect citizens’ rights.

  • Effectiveness and Efficiency: Adequate management of resources and functionalities.

  • Transparency: Openness in decision-making and public services.

  • Responsiveness: Timely and appropriate government actions addressing citizens' needs.

  • Equity and Inclusiveness: Consideration of all societal groups, especially marginalized ones.

  • Consensus-Oriented: Decision-making involving different interests is key for community benefits.

  • Accountability: Responsibility of government officials for actions taken on behalf of citizens.

WEEK 2: THE STATE

AGENDA

  • Definition of State

  • Four Elements of State

  • Theories on the Origin of the State

  • Difference Between Nation and State

  • Inherent Powers of the State

DEFINITION AND ELEMENTS OF STATE

  • A state is characterized by a community of people within a defined territory governed with habitual obedience and devoid of external control.

  • Four Key Elements of the State:

    • People: The population governed.

    • Territory: The land and boundaries of the state.

    • Government: The entity that exercises political authority.

    • Sovereignty: The supreme power to command obedience and independence from external control.

THEORIES ON THE ORIGIN OF THE STATE

  • Divine Right Theory: State as divinely created with rulers ordained by God.

  • Necessity (Force) Theory: Creation of states arises from power dynamics among strong and weak.

  • Natural Instinctive Theory: State emerges from man's social instincts for association.

  • Social Contract Theory: States formed through voluntary agreements among individuals seeking law and order.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STATE AND NATION

  • State: A political entity with governance, territory, and sovereignty.

  • Nation: A socio-cultural community united by common racial ancestry, language, and historical experience.

  • A single state may encompass multiple nations, while a nation can exist independently of a state.

INHERENT POWERS OF THE STATE

  • Police Power: Enforces laws for public welfare.

  • Eminent Domain: Government's right to take private property for public use with compensation.

  • Taxation: The state's inherent capability to collect revenues from individuals and entities within its jurisdiction.

WEEK 3: POLITICAL POWER

AGENDA

  • Meaning and Nature of Power

  • Dimensions of National Power

  • Methods of Exercising National Power

  • Types of Political Authority

MEANING AND NATURE OF POWER

  • Power defined in human relations as control over behavior through coercive means or influence.

  • National Power combines capabilities used to achieve national goals and interests.

DIMENSIONS OF NATIONAL POWER

  • Military Power: Essential for national security and international standing.

  • Economic Power: Determines a country’s ability to influence others through trade and aid.

  • Psychological Power: Involves the perception and opinion impact of a nation on others.

METHODS OF EXERCISING NATIONAL POWER

  • Persuasion: Convincing others to adopt a certain viewpoint.

  • Rewards: Providing incentives or material support to other states.

  • Punishments: Imposing sanctions or threats against non-compliance.

  • Force: Using military action as a last resort to achieve compliance.

TYPES OF POLITICAL AUTHORITY (MAX WEBER)

  • Traditional Authority: Rooted in societal customs and heritage.

  • Charismatic Authority: Based on an individual’s personal qualities

  • Legal-Rational Authority: Derived from established laws governing action and policy-making.

WEEK 4: GOVERNMENT

AGENDA

  • Classifications of Governments

  • Political Ideologies

CLASSIFICATIONS OF GOVERNMENTS

  • By number of rulers: Anarchy, Monarchy, Aristocracy, Democracy.

  • By power distribution: Unitary, Federal.

  • By executive-legislative relationship: Parliamentary, Presidential.

POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES

  • Libertarianism: Emphasis on individual freedom and minimal government intervention.

  • Socialism: Focuses on collective ownership and equitable resource distribution.

  • Liberalism: Advocates for individual rights, civil liberties, and economic freedom.

  • Conservatism: Emphasizes tradition, gradual change, and societal stability.

  • Fascism: Centralized authoritarian government with limited personal freedoms.

WEEK 5: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT

AGENDA

  • Development of Philippine Government

  • Historical Constitutions

DEVELOPMENT OF PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT

  • Pre-colonial Period: Existence of barangays ruled by datus.

  • Spanish Period (1565-1898): Centralized government under Spanish colonial rule.

  • American Period (1898-1946): Introduction of American democratic principles; establishment of civil government.

  • Post-Independence: Emergence of various Philippine Republics and respective constitutions.

HISTORICAL CONSTITUTIONS

  • Biak-na-Bato Constitution (1897): Early revolution-era constitution establishing a republic.

  • Malolos Constitution (1899): First republican constitution in Asia.

  • Commonwealth Constitution (1935): Established a democratic framework, leading to independence.

  • 1943 Constitution: Created during Japanese occupation; widely regarded as illegitimate unless recognized by the U.S.

  • 1973 Constitution: Introduced parliamentary structure; later manipulated under Marcos' regime.

  • 1987 Constitution: Established after People Power Revolution, restoring democratic governance.