Philippine Politics
and Governance
Introduction: The concepts of politics and
governance…
1.1 The meaning of politics
1.2 How politics can be studied
1.3. The meaning of governance
What is the first thing that
comes to mind when you
hear the word ‘politics?
What do you understand
about politics from this
video?
How does politics affect
your daily life?
“Politics is the process of
making decisions that
apply to members of a
group or society.”
Different Definition of politics
Aristotle (384–322 BCE)
•Definition: "Man, is by nature, a political
animal.“
David Easton (1917–2014)
• Definition: "Politics is the authoritative
allocation of values for a society.“
Harold Lasswell (1902–1978)
•Definition: "Politics is who gets what,
when, and how."
Max Weber (1864–1920)
•Definition: "Politics is the struggle for power
or the influence to determine policy.“
Andrew Heywood (Contemporary Political
Scientist)
•Definition: "Politics is the activity through
which people make, preserve, and amend the
general rules under which they live."
Baron de Montesquieu
• Definition: The separation of powers
( Executive, Legislative and Judiciary)
How politics can be studied:
Political Science
Political Philosophy
Comparative Politics
Political Institutions
HOW POLITICS CAN BE STUDIED
PLATO ARISTOTLE
• Plato was •Aristotle, his
considered the student, the
“father of “father of
rationalism and empiricism and
political philosophy”
(political idealism) political science”
(political realism)
HOW POLITICS CAN BE STUDIED
PLATO ARISTOTLE
• Idealism: Dealing • Realism:
with things as Dealing with
they should be. things as they
• Political are.
Philosophy: The • Political
philosophy of
politics from a
Science: The
metaphysic and science of
Political Science
Defined as the systematic study of
political and governmental institutions
and processes (Ranney, 1995)
Political Philosophy
Political philosophy explores the fundamental
questions about governance, power, justice,
rights, and the nature of a good society. It is
theoretical and normative, focusing on what
politics should be rather than how it is.
What is justice?
What is the best form of government?
What are the rights and responsibilities of
individuals within a society?
Political philosophy provides frameworks
for understanding and critiquing political
systems and ideas, shaping policies and
ideologies.
Comparative Politics
Comparative politics examines political
systems, processes, and behavior across
different countries and regions to identify
patterns, similarities, and differences.
Political systems (democracies, autocracies,
monarchies), political cultures, policy
outcomes, electoral systems, and governance
structures.
It employs empirical methods, such as case
studies, statistical analyses, and cross-
national comparisons.
Examples: Comparative politics might
investigate why some democracies
succeed while others fail, how
authoritarian regimes maintain power,
or the role of political institutions in
economic development.
Political Institutions
Political institutions focuses on the formal
structures and organizations through which
political power is exercised, such as
legislatures, executives, judiciaries, and
political parties.
Institutional design, decision-making
processes, checks and balances,
representation, and the rule of law.
Political institutions are studied to
understand how rules and norms shape
political behavior, influence policy outcomes,
and ensure stability and accountability.
Can you relate politics to everyday
decision-making and power structures?
Activity:
Group discussion on real-world political issues,
e.g., elections, governance policies.
Questions:
"How is politics evident in these scenarios?"
"What methods can we use to study these issues?"
The Various Views on Politics
Views on Politics: Description of Politics
Politics as...
Art of Politics concerns the
government state. It focuses on the
personnel and
machinery of the
government.
Public affairs Politics is the conduct
and management of
public interest and
Views on Politics: Description of
Politics as... Politics
Compromise and Politics attempts to
resolve conflict through
consensus
discussion, compromise,
bargaining, and
consensus, wherein
people arrive at a
binding decision.
Power and the Politics involves the
exercise of authority in
distribution of
the production,
resources distribution, and use of
Government vs Governance
Government
1.Definition:
Government refers to the formal institution or
system of authority responsible for making and
enforcing laws, policies, and decisions within a
defined territory.
2. Structure:
•Consists of three branches:
•Executive (implements laws)
•Legislative (makes laws)
•Judiciary (interprets laws)
3. Nature:
•Fixed and hierarchical, with clear
authority and legal framework.
•Operates under a constitution or set of
legal rules.
4. Focus:
•Concerned with the exercise of power and
control over a society.
•Governs people through laws, regulations,
and enforcement.
5. Scope:
•Limited to the state and its institutions.
6. Key Actors:
•Elected officials, bureaucrats, and government
employees.
examples: Philippine Government, etc.
Governance
Governance according to Tamayo (2014)
is commonly defined as the exercise of
power or authority by political leaders
for attainment of the well-being of their
country’s citizens or inhabitants.
Governance can involve multiple
stakeholders, including government
bodies, businesses, civil society, and
international organizations.
It is concerned with how decisions are
made, how policies are implemented,
and how accountability is ensured.
Indicators of Good Governance Good
governance according to Kio Sheng (2010)
and Tamayo (2014) is understood through its
eight indicators or characteristics:
(1) Participatory
(2) Rule of Law
(3) Effective and Efficient
(4) Transparent
(5) Responsive
(6) Equitable and Inclusive
(7) Consensus Oriented
(8) Accountability
1. Participatory
Good governance necessarily
requires participation of the different
sectors of society. Participation
means active involvement of all
concerned and interested sectors in
the decision-making process. It
requires an enabling environment.
Governance should no longer be
government monopoly but
2. Rule of Law
Good governance is fundamentally
adherence to the rule of law. Rule
of law requires that the people
give habitual obedience to the
law. The government acts within
the limits of the powers and
functions prescribed by the law.
Under this indicator, laws should
3. Effectiveness and Efficiency
Good governance requires that the
institutions, processes, and actors
deliver and meet the needs of society
in a way that available resources are
used well. Service delivery in public
sector, especially of front-line
agencies, must promptly and
adequately serve the needs of the
citizens instituting simplified
4. Transparency
Transparency means that people
can access information regarding
decision-making process and the
implementation of decisions.
Information on matters of public
concern are made available to the
citizens or those who will be
directly affected.
5. Responsiveness
Responsiveness means that
institutions and processes should
serve all the stakeholders in
timely and appropriate way.
Interests of all citizens must be
well protected in a prompt and
appropriate manner so that each
of them can appreciate and take
6. Equity and Inclusiveness
Equity and inclusiveness mean that
all members of society, especially the
most vulnerable ones must be taken
into consideration. Everyone has a
stake in society; no one should feel
alienated from it. Those who have
less in life should have more in law.
Good governance demands that the
actors must give preferential
7. Consensus Oriented
Governance is consensus oriented
when decisions are made after taking
into consideration the different
perspectives. A procedure for conflict
resolution must be in place because
it is possible that conflict will arise
from competing interests of the
actors. Governance is based on the
partnership of the actors of the
8. Accountability
Accountability refers to answerability
or responsibility for one’s action,
based on the principle that each
person or group is responsible for
their actions most especially when
their acts affect public interest.
Actors have an obligation to explain
and be answerable for the
consequences of decisions and
What is your views about the
political system in our country?
Based on your understanding,
what is Politics, Government and
Governance?
1.What are the similarities
among the given definitions
of politics?
2. Why is it important to know
the different meanings of
politics?
3.What is the importance of
politics in our society?
