Chapter 1: introduction to Politics

Definition of Politics:
1. Inherent in society and people cannot evade the practice of such. The term “politicians” does not only
encompass the people we vote during elections but also includes the commoners on the society.
2. An undertaking that advances the welfare of the governed but does not totally depend on the efforts of the
governor
3. A process by whose character is shaped by the people engaging it.

Basic ingredients of politics (elements)

1. Power- capacity to make someone do what you wanted him to do.
a. Expert power -expertise of the leader
b. Referent power- corresponds to the character and innate charisma of the person having it which
gravitates the followers toward him
c. Reward power- ability of giving rewards to the members of the society to follow
d. Legitimate power – refers to the legitimacy of the ruling individual over members, often depending
on the degree of acceptance of the latter.
e. Coercive power- based on the development of fear within the minds of the governed due to the
consequences employed by the leader.
2. Authority – a by-product of power. The right to command and direct, to be heard or obeyed by others and
to be voluntarily accepted by the people and therefore exist without the imposition of sanctions.
3. Legitimacy- is a virtue of political institutions and of the decisions (laws, policies) made within them.
Authority is based on the sanctions available at the rulers.
4. Influence - act as driving force for the people to be convinced by his/her leader/ruler. The amount of
influence varies on wealth, prestige, and honor.
Approaches to politics:
 Politics is relative, not absolute. This is so because not all people share the same sentiments and ideas about
it..Hence, there are 8 approaches to politics.
1. Behaviouralism – concentrates on the study of the political behavior of the individuals partaking and
intermingling within the political system.
2. Rational Choice – rationality and self-interest of the human species. Views political action as being driven by
one’s own instinct in the attainment of goals.
3. Institutionalism – more centered on the study and laying out descriptions about “constitutions, legal
systems, government structures, and their comparison between time and countries”
4. Constructivism – based on the belief that “people do one thing and not another due to the presence of
certain social constructs /concepts”.
5. Marxism – (Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels). Concern with the study of the class struggles that had occurred
in the vast area of history and expounds on the dynamics of production and consumption and the rise of the
working class as capitalism continues to exploit them. Thus, views politics as a landscape characterized by
control wherein those situated in the higher level (capitalist) tend to displace those at the bottom
(proletariat) and an eventual action through revolution done by the oppressed.
6. Feminism – a movement and body of ideas that aimed to enhance the women’s status and power. It
emphasizes and addresses the plight of the women sector.
7. Normative approach

Political Theories:

1. The Social Contract Theory

a. The origin of the state was concluded through contract concluded by men living in a state of nature.
Social contract theory was divided into three versions:

i. Thomas Hobbes – viewed state of nature as brutish, evil and nasty. That life is a competition
between weak and strong ones. That the chosen ruler is a supreme Monarch and thus, self-
 preservation, order and peace could only be attained if man surrenders all their natural
rights and submit their will to an absolute monarch.

ii. John Locke- men are considers as rational beings and could make use of their natural laws
for their own good. That the state or the rules is accountable to the people by advancing
their interests and welfare. If the ruling individual proves to be inefficient and ineffective\,
then the right of revolution can be invoked by the governed.

iii. Jean Jacques Rousseau – asserted that state of nature is a peaceful one. He viewed that
state as completely and directly democratic.

2. The divine right theory - considered as the oldest theory and that it presents the view that the state is of
divine creation and that the rulers were ordained by God.

3. Political idealism – advocates the innate goodness of human beings. Conceptualizing a utopian social and
political order where everything and everyone is guided by what is right.

4. Political realism – what is ideal may not be real. Opposite to idealism, this asserts that what is moral or right
could be twisted for convenience. Thus, what is practical is necessary.

5. Rationalism – middle ground for Idealism and rationalism. The rationalist believe in the power of mind and
reason by advocating that even though political beings have the tendency to become selfish, there is also a
side in us that values reconciliation and compromise.

6. Political extremism – absolute political philosophy concerning politics. It resembles idealism but it is much
darker due to the fact that extremists see today’s reality the same as the reality tomorrow and the coming
days.

7. Balance of power- a theory that is commonly used in the field of international relations. Thus, the balancing
process helps maintain the stability of relations between states.

8. Game theory- considers political relationships as an endeavor where one party wins and the other suffers or
losses to a certain degree.

9. Hegemonic stability theory- one state is recognized as the prime mover of the entire system. Hegemon
(authority over the other stat)

Politics as Art and Science

Art- described as the power of performing actions especially acquired by experience, study and observation.

Science- implies a sympathized body of knowledge

Political Art is seen through one’s strategies, style which constructs a new identity that is distinct from others.

As a science, politics attempts to incorporate the basic method of natural and physical science in the study and
analysis of those enclosed within the limits of politics.

Politics is truly the art and science of government

Political Science lecture notes

Branches of Political Science

1. Political Theory
a. This branch of study contributes to an old and ever-evolving dialogue about the ultimate realities
that shape political life and the ultimate principles that should guide it.
b. Its primary concern is to give a closer look to the basics of politics such as justice, rights, liberty,
freedom, power, etc. and understand their application in reality.
2. Public Administration
a. It is all about how governments organize and operate, about how bureaucracies work and interact
with citizens and each other.
3. Public Policy
a. Is a branch that heavily deals with the system of regulations and laws that directs the flow and
course of both government action and inaction.
4. Political Economy
a. Comprehends the influence and dynamic forces of economics in the political system.
b. Pertains to the influence of the economic factors such as wealth, the means of productions, the
distribution of wealth, goods, and services, etc. in the conduct of politics and how do they affect the
political actors’ behavior and attitudes.
5. Comparative Politics
a. Contrasting and comparing are techniques that experts in this area employ in order to determine
the degree and reasons
6. International Relations
a. Emphasize on the interaction of states and nations within the confines of the international political
setting.
b. The study of organizations and institutions whose scope is primarily international in nature, foreign
policies and stance on global issues as terrorism and global issues such as terrorism and global
warming.

Chapter 2: State and Government

State- defined by the Supreme Court as “Community of persons more or less numerous, permanently occupying a
definite portion of territory, independent of external control, and possessing a government to which a great body of
the inhabitants render habitual obedience.”

Nation- from the word “nasci” meaning “to be born” is understood in relation to birth or origin and signifies a
common race characterized by a community of language and customs. (Ex. Arab nation compose of independent
countries like Arabia, Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon, Yemen)

Note that there are states which are composed of one Nation like the United Kingdom (English nation) also which
are composed of several nations like USA (American nation)

Elements of State:

1. People – inhabitants of the state or human beings living within a territory. The 1987 Constitution refer
people as the inhabitants, citizens and the voters.

2. Territory- refers to the fixed portion of the earth where the people of the state reside.

3. Sovereignty- supreme and u controllable power of the state.

 4. Government- institution or aggregate of institutions by which an independent society makes and carries out
those actions which are necessary to enable men to live in a social state which are imposed on people
forming that society by those who possess the power or authority of prescribing them.

Two functions of government:

1. Constituent functions – keeping of order and in providing protection to persons and property
- The fixing of the legal relations between husband and wife and between parents
and children.
- Definition and punishment of crime
- Administration of justice in civil cases
2. Ministrant Functions- not compulsory. Covers the regulation of trade and industry, the establishment of
standard weights and measures, laws on tariffs, navigation laws, etc.

Doctrine of Parens Patriae- the government is the guardian of the rights of the people.

Simulation/Reflection Activity:

Forms of Government

As to number of people ruling:

1. Monarchy- supreme power is hold by an individual as head of the state through the hereditary transfer of
power or one who comes from a royal family.
a. Absolute Monarchy-
b. Limited Monarchy
2. Oligarchy- power is vested by few powerful persons like dominant clan, elite who rule their own vested
interest. (Aristocracy, Plutocracy and Theocracy)
3. Democracy- government where power is hold directly or indirectly by the citizens under a free and universal
suffrage.

As to the relationship between national and local:

1. Unitary- government powers are concentrated in one central government. The Central government may
delegate or transfer limited power or control to their sub-national (LGUs), however, the central government
still possesses the supreme power to recall the powers it delegated.
2. Federal- a government with self-governing regions, states or local units united by one central government
usually called the federal government.
-there is a clear division of powers between the national and their local governments.

As to status of the rulers running the government:

1. Civil government – when it is run by a civilian authority and this is usually formed after toppling a military or
an authoritarian regime.
2. Military government.- when the government is run by the members of the Armed forces

As to the relation between the executive and legislative:

1. Presidential- form of government where there is a strict separation of powers between the executive and
the legislative branch. The head of the state and the head of the government are held by one and the same
person.
 2. Parliamentary- form of government wherein the head of the government is elected among the members of
the legislative branch to perform executive functions and conferred by the legislature complete control and
administration of law.

Other forms of government:

1. Dictatorship- is a regime of one single leader who may have not been elected and is using force, usually the
military, to keep in power and to be in control.

2. Totalitarian- government ruled by a single political party where citizens are forced to vote for the party and
candidates chosen by the government. This is an extreme form of totalitarian government.

3. Republican- is a representative form of government where its powers and authority are directly or indirectly
derived from the people.

4. Theocracy- is a government where the rulers are claiming to be ruling based on a set of religious ideas or as
agent of a God or deity.

5. De jure- is a government in which has a rightful title founded upon a constitution.

6. De facto – is a government which actually exercises power or control but without legal title. It is operating
against the duly constituted government.

Principles Governing the Operations of the 3 branches of government:

1. Separation of Powers
a. Principle of dividing government powers into three parts namely the legislative power to the legislative
branch, executive power for the executive branch and judicial powers to the judiciary.
2. Principles of Checks and Balances
a. The powers of the three branches of the government are equal and balanced with each other and it
means that no branch will have so much power capable of dominating the other.
3. Blending powers
a. The three branches are not independent from each other rather they are interdependent with each
other. Thus, a branch cannot exist without the presence of the other branch.

The three fundamental powers of the State:

1. Police Power
a. Also called as “law of overruling necessity” which means the power of the state in promoting the
public welfare by restraining the use of liberty and property.
b. Limitations to the exercise hereof:
i. Lawful subjects – interest of the public is the basic requirement in the exercise of police
power.
ii. Lawful means- the means employed are reasonably necessary for the accomplishment of the
purpose and should not be unduly oppressive to the people
 iii. When it is exercised by a delegate -
2. Power of Eminent Domain
a. The power of the state to acquire private property for public use upon payment of just
compensation. The basis in the exercise of the power is the necessity of the property for public use.
b. Requisites in the exercise of eminent domain:
i. Necessity
ii. Private property
iii. Taking
iv. Payment of just compensation
v. Due process where the owner of the property to be acquired is given the opportunity to be
heard.
3. Power of taxation
a. Power by which the State raises revenue to defray the necessary expenses of the government.
b. Also defined as the power to demand from the members of the society their proportionate share or
contribution in the maintenance of the government.
c. Limitations to the exercise thereof:
i. Inherent Limitation
1. Should be for public use
2. International comity
ii. Constitutional Limitations
1. Due process law
2. Equal protection of law
3. Uniformity, equitability and progressivity of taxation
d. Double taxation
i. Means additional taxes are laid on the same subject by the same taxing jurisdiction during
the same period and for the same purpose.

DISTINCTIONS
SUBJECT POLICE POWER EMINENT DOMAIN TAXATION
Scope of Power Regulates both Liberty Affects only the Affects only the
and Property Property Rights Property Rights
Who May Exercise Only the Government Maybe exercised by Only the Government
Private Entities
Compensation Compensation is the Compensation is full Compensation is the
intangible, altruistic and fair equivalent of protection and public
feeling that the the property taken. improvements
individual has instituted by the
contributed to the government for the
public good. taxes paid.
 Chapter 3: Foundation of the Politics and Government: Philippine Political History and Filipino Values

Timeline of Philippine Governments. The following are the timeline of the

formation of the various Philippine Governments:

PRESIDENT/ HEAD
NAME OF CONSTITUTIO
PERIOD OF STATE/HEAD OF LEGISLATURE
GOV'T N
GOV'T
1899 Malolos President Emilio F.
1st Philippine Assembly of
1 - Constitution Aguinaldo (1899 -
Republic Representatives
1901 (1899) 1901)
General Wesley Meritt
(1898)
General Elwell S. Otis
( 1898 - 1899)
US Military
1898 Dr. Jacob Schurman
Government 1st Philippine
2 - (1899 - 1901)
in the Commission
1902 General Arthur
Philippines
MacArthur, Jr. (1900 -
1901)
General Adna Chaffee
(1901 - 1902)
William Howard Taft Upper House:
(1901 - 1904) Philippine
Commission
Luke Edward Wright
(1907 - 1916;
( 1904 - 1905)
Appointed)
Henry Clay Ide (1905-
1906)
Government James Francis Smith
1902 Philippine
of the (1906 - 1909)
3 - Organic Act
Philippine William Cameron
1916 (1902 - 1916) Lower House:
Islands Forbes (1909 - 1913)
Philippine
Assembly (1907
Newton Gilbert - 1916; Elected)
( 1913)

Francis Burton
Harrison (1913 -
1921)
Francis Burton
Harrison (1913 -
1921)
Charles Yeater (1921)
Leonard Wood (1921 Upper House:
- 1927) Senate (1916 -
Government Eugene Allen Gilmore 1935; Elected)
1916
of the (1927)
4 - Jones Law
Philippine Henry L. Stimson
1935
Islands (1927 - 1929)

Eugene Allen Gilmore Lower House:

(1929) House of
Dwight F. Davis (1929 Representatives
- 1932) (1916 - 1935;
George C. Butte Elected)
 (1932)
Theodore Roosevelt,
Jr. (1932 - 1933)
Frank Murphy ( 1933 -
1935)
President Manuel L.
Quezon (1935 – 1944, National
Nacionalista Party) Assembly of the
President Sergio Philippines
1935 Commonweal Osmena (1944 – (1935 - 1941;
1935 1946, Nacionalista Elected)
5 - th
Constitution Party)
1946 Government
1st Congress of
President Manuel A.
the
Roxas (1946 – 1948,
Commonwealth
Liberal Party)
(1945)
National
1943 2nd President Jose P. Assembly of the
1943
6 - Philippine Laurel (1943 – 1945, 2nd Republic
Constitution
1945 Republic KALIBAPI) (1944,
Appointed)
President Manuel A.
Roxas (1946 – 1948,
Liberal Party)
President Elpidio
Quirino ( 1948 – Upper House:
1953, Liberal Party) Senate
President Ramon
Magsaysay (1953 –
1957, Nacionalista
1946
3rd Philippine 1935 Party)
7 -
Republic Constitution President Carlos P.
1972
Garcia (1957 – 1961,
Nacionalista Party)
President Diosdado
Lower House:
Macapagal (1961 –
House of
1965, Liberal Party)
Representatives
President Ferdinand
E. Marcos, Sr. (1965 –
1986, Nacionalista
Party, KBL)
Legislative
President Ferdinand Advisory (1976 -
1972
1973 E. Marcos, Sr. (1965 – 1978)
8 - Martial Law
Constitution 1986, Nacionalista Batasang
1981
Party, KBL) Pambansa
(1976 - 1978)
Interim
Batasang
President Ferdinand Pambansa
1981
4th Philippine 1973 E. Marcos, Sr. (1965 – (1978)
9 -
Republic Constitution 1986, Nacionalista Regular
1986
Party, KBL) Batasang
Pambansa
(1984)
 Reestablishmen
1986
President Corazon C. t of the
Revolutionary Constitution
11 1986 Aquino (1986 – 1992, Bicameral
Government (Freedom
UNIDO) Legislature
Constitution)
(1986)
President Corazon C.
Aquino (1986 - 1992)
President Fidel V.
Ramos (1992 – 1998, Upper House:
Lakas-NUCD) Senate
President Joseph E.
1986
Estrada (1998 –
- 5th Philippine 1987
12 2001,LAMP)
prese Republic Constitution
nt President Gloria M.
Macapagal-Arroyo
(2001-2010, Lakas- Lower House:
KAMPI) House of
President Benigno S. Representatives
Aquino (2010 – 2016,
Liberal Party)

Philippine Presidents. The table below shows the list of Philippine Presidents with
their term of office, the Constitutions during their tenure, their Vice-Presidents and the
province where they come from.

PERIOD CONSTITUTI PROVIN

POSITION NAME
ON CE
Emilio F.
President Luzon
Aguinaldo
Prime
Minister
(President of
the Council
Apolinario Mabini Luzon
of
Government)
1899 – Malolos
1 ; January
1901 Constitution
1899
Prime
Minister
(President of
the Council Pedro A. Paterno Luzon
of
Government)
; May 1899
Manuel L.
President Luzon
1935 - 1935 Quezon
2
1944 Constitution Vice-
Sergio Osmeña Visayas
President
1943
3 1944 President Jose P. Laurel Luzon
Constitution
1944 - 1935
4 President Sergio Osmeña Visayas
1946 Constitution
5 1946 - 1935 President Manuel A. Roxas Visayas
 Vice-
1948 Constitution Elpidio Quirino Luzon
President
1935
1948 President Elpidio Quirino Luzon
Constitution
6 President Elpidio Quirino Luzon
1949 – 1935
1953 Constitution Vice-
Fernando Lopez Visayas
President
Ramon
President Luzon
1953 – 1935 Magsaysay
7
1957 Constitution Vice-
Carlos P. Garcia Visayas
President
1935
1957 President Carlos P. Garcia Visayas
Constitution
8 President Carlos P. Garcia Visayas
1957 – 1935
1961 Constitution Vice- Diosdado P.
Luzon
President Macapagal
Diosdado P.
President Luzon
1961- 1935 Macapagal
9
1965 Constitution Vice- Emmanuel
Mindanao
President Pelaez
Ferdinand E.
President Luzon
1965 – 1935 Marcos
1972 Constitution Vice-
Fernando Lopez Visayas
President
1972 – 1973 Ferdinand E.
President Luzon
1976 Constitution Marcos
1 President &
0 1976 – 1973 Ferdinand E.
Prime Luzon
1981 Constitution Marcos
Minister
Ferdinand E.
President Luzon
1981 – 1973 Marcos
1986 Constitution Prime Cesar Emilio
Luzon
Minister Aguinaldo Virata
1986 Corazon C.
President Luzon
Constitution Aquino
1986
(Freedom Prime
Salvador Laurel Luzon
1 Constitution) Minister
1 Corazon C.
President Luzon
1986 – 1987 Aquino
1992 Constitution Vice-
Salvador Laurel Luzon
President
President Fidel V. Ramos Luzon
1 1992 – 1987
2 1998 Constitution Vice- Joseph E.
Luzon
President Estrada
Joseph E.
President Luzon
Estrada
1 1998 – 1987
Gloria M.
3 2001 Constitution Vice-
Macapagal- Luzon
President
Arroyo
Gloria M.
1 2001 – 1987 President Macapagal- Luzon
4 2004 Constitution Arroyo
Vice- Teofisto Luzon
 President Guingona
Gloria M.
President Macapagal- Luzon
2004 – 1987 Arroyo
2010 Constitution
Vice- Manuel Leuterio
Luzon
President de Castro, Jr.
Benigno S.
President Luzon
1 2010 – 1987 Aquino
5 2016 Constitution Vice- Jejomar C. Binay,
Luzon
President Sr.

Filipino values according to Enriquez are categorized into the following:

Filipino Core Value:

 The core construct of being a Filipino and which makes up a complex system
based on the concept of Asal.
 This value is the standard for ideal conduct of a Filipino for it is considered to
be good, ethical, moral, desirable, and beautiful and true. To reiterate, this is
what makes a Filipino.
The concept of Asal is composed of three core elements:
(1) Kapwa– which pertains to relational standard or in dealing with other,
(2) Damdamin– which is the emotional standards and
(3) Dangal – referring to the moral standard.
Filipino Shared Humanity or the Kagandahang Loob or the “shared nobility,” such
value which compels Filipinos to help other people who are in need of help because of
such feeling that everyone is part of community or of being part to a Filipino
humanity.
Filipino Surface Values which can be seen from the outside and which are
considered uncertain because they can be interpreted positively.

The following are some of the Filipino surface values enumerated by Emerita S. Quito
in her article “The Ambivalence of Filipino Traits and Values” 1:
(a) Hiya or shame which can be negatively interpreted “because it arrests or
inhibits one's action.
(b)Ningas-cogon or procrastination renders one inactive and unable to initiate
things or to persevere.
(c) Pakikisama or group loyalty
(d)Patigasan or test of strength which is understood to be “negative because it
is stubborn and it resists all efforts at reconciliation.
(e) Bahala Na or resignation also refers to really laziness
(f) Sakop or inclusion refers to the trait stunts growth and prevents a person
from growing on one's own
(g)Mañana or Bukas Na or procrastination arises from an indolent mentality
that a problem will go away by itself.
(h)Utang Na loob or indebtedness refers to the one who is beholden to
another person will do anything to please him, thinking that by doing so he is able to
repay a debt.
(i) Kanya-kanya or of self-centeredness is considered “negative because it is
self-centered; one has no regard for others.
(j) Colonial mentality or the influence of foreign values destroys our
indigenous Filipino values.
1