St.

John Paul II Institute of Technology

FRA Alvarado Bldg. Sevilla Road San Fernando City, La Union/FRA Building Carmen West Rosales Pangasinan

Quarter 1 - Module 1
The Basics of Political Science and
Philippine Politics
Week 1
Preface

Understanding politics may be a complex task, but this module simplifies both concepts and
issues in Philippine politics and governance. Philippine Politics and Governance features guided
activities and assessment tools that will make the study of a seemingly complicated subject
matter easy and interesting. The module is especially designed not only to equip you with the
fundamental ideas on politics, but to make you active and responsible citizens as well, by helping
you gain a better appreciation of your role in the larger community.

The module is divided into two units. The first unit introduces the basic concepts of
politics and governance and discusses the historical development and structure of Philippine
democratic politics. The second unit explores the Philippine political landscape, with focus on
state-society interaction and citizenship-in-practice. Specifically, the module will allow you to
incorporate the theories you have learned in the classroom and practice them later in your
community and beyond.

Each module is provided with well-thought-out lessons and creative activities, ranging
from reflective exercises to those which will immerse you in real-life situations and make you
appreciate politics in everyday life. A list of references, Web sites, and online materials are
likewise provided throughout the module, which allow you to expand your knowledge of the key
topics and issues. Given these features, you may learn at your own pace and evaluate your own
progress. Learning thus becomes student centered.

While much of the module fosters independent learning, collaborative exercises are also
prepared so that you can be equipped with values of unity, respect for diversity, and open-
mindedness, among many others. It is thus the intention of this module to engage you actively in
nation-building and in Philippine development. After all, YOUth are the hope of the fatherland!
Table of Contents

Unit I The Basics of Political Science and Philippine Politics

Module 1 The Concepts of Politics and Governance
2 Political Ideas and Ideologies
3 What Is Power?
4 States, Nations, and Globalization
5 Historical Development of Philippine Democratic Politics
6 The Executive
7 The Legislative
8 The Judiciary
9 Decentralization and Local Governance

Culminating Output
Quarter Challenge

Unit II State-Society Interaction and Citizenship-in-Practice in the Philippines

Module 10 Elections and Political Parties
11 Civil Society and Social Movements
12 Citizenship
13 Integration

Culminating Output
Quarter Challenge

Bibliography
 The BasiCs of PolitiCal SCience
and Philippine PolitiCs
I
Some individuals would usually link politics to corrupt politicians and an ineffective
government. This skeptic view of and the disinterest to study politics are ever present. But
politics is more than just about these problems of government officials and their inefficiency.
Politics also involves relationships in everyday life—in the family, in school, in the streets,
and even in the most personal relations. In a typical Filipino family, for instance, power
determines who gets what, when, and how (Lasswell 1936). Likewise, the question of who
decides for the family is by itself a function of politics. This unit thus intends to address these
misconceptions.

The first part of this unit introduces you to the basics of political science. Module 1
presents the fundamental concepts of politics and governance, while module 2 discusses the
different types of political ideologies. Modules 3 and 4 review the concepts of power, and
states, nations, and globalization, respectively.

Meanwhile, the second part provides an overview of politics as practiced in the

Philippine setting. Module 5 examines the historical development of Philippine politics,
while modules 6 to 9 discuss the structure and framework of the government—from the
executive, legislative, and judiciary to local government.

The Basics of Political Science and Philippine Politics 1

 Learning Outcomes for the Unit

Demonstrate an understanding of politics and political science, governance, political

ideologies, power, states, nations, and globalization.
Clearly identify a specific political phenomenon and how it can be studied.
Demonstrate an understanding of the historical background of Philippine democratic
politics; the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches; and decentralization and
local governance.
Explain the roles of different political institutions.

Module 1: The Concepts of Politics and Governance

In this module, you will be able to:

define politics;
identify the various views on politics;
differentiate governance from government;
determine the general methods of inquiry in political science (enrichment);
explore the connection between the phenomenon (politics) and the method of inquiry
(political science); and
recognize the value of politics.

Defining Politics
“Man is by nature a political animal.”
– Aristotle, Politics
(Father of Political Science)

Why did the Father of Political Science utter such a statement? Why did he say that man
is a “political animal” and what do you think did he mean by this?

The inclination and interest of people toward anything political is based on the fact
that individuals are inherently social. Unlike
other species, humans rely on social interactions
to survive. Politics is born out of these social
interactions.
Political science does not only involve the state
Heywood (2013) defined politics as an and the government because politics exists in the
activity that involves the interaction of people, family, in school, and even in the streets. It is
whose relationship is characterized by conflict present in intimate personal relationships, too.
and cooperation, and who come together to solve
such
disagreements through binding solutions. However, politics is no utopian solution. There are
disagreements that remain as such.

What Have I Learned So Far?

Why do individuals have an inherent inclination toward politics?

So, what makes social interaction a political one? Any form of social interaction that
involves the art of government, public affairs, compromise and consensus, or power and
distribution of resources is political. This then gives you the different views on politics, as
provided in the following table.

Table 1.1 The Different Views on Politics

Views on Politics:
Description of Politics
Politics as...

Politics concerns the state. It focuses on the

Art of government
personnel and machinery of the government.

Politics is the conduct and management of public

Public affairs
interest and therefore, political affairs.

Politics attempts to resolve conflict through

discussion, compromise, bargaining, and
Compromise and consensus
consensus, wherein people arrive at a binding
decision.
 Politics involves the exercise of authority in the
production, distribution, and use of resources.
Power and the distribution of resources
This describes who gets what and under what
circumstances.

Source: Heywood 2013

Given the views on politics above, one may think that politics only involves the state
or the government. It must be noted, however, that human beings relate to each other not only
in formal structures but also in collective arrangements such as families, religions, peer
groups, or cultures. Power is also exercised in these types of relationships, making them
political as well. For instance, who decides on specific familial matters is a venue by which
authority is manifested. In religious organizations, the existence of authority is manifested as
well in the presence of religious leaders vis-à-vis the followers.

Study the following pictures. How do you think is politics manifested, characterized,
or symbolized in each of these illustrations? Share your thoughts with the class.

THE PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THEIR TRUE

POWER.

Illustration 1
Adapted from: http://militantlibertarian.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/politicalpower.jpg
Illustration 2

Illustration 3
Adapted from: http://globalbalita.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Vote-buying.jpg

Illustration 4
Reflect Upon

How does power determine the kinds of relationships that people have with others— be it
members of the family, classmates, or persons of authority?

What Have I Learned So Far?

When does a particular form of social interaction become political?

BEYOND WALLS 1.1 Apply It in Real Life

You are a political researcher working for a nongovernmental organization whose aim is to
help improve political participation of people. You are asked by the organization’s
executive director (ED) to submit a research output on the initial ideas regarding politics of
10 individuals in your barangay. In order to accomplish this, you need to formulate
questions that will examine their ideas about the nature of politics. Your work will be
evaluated based on the content of the interview guide and the presentation of results.
Summarize your findings using the given format. Prepare a presentation using PowerPoint
and be ready to present your output to the ED.
Guidelines for the interview
1. Make sure that the questions are relevant. Give questions that pertain to the
respondents’ view about politics. You may also think of exciting or inviting
questions to facilitate the interview. For example, “What comes into your mind
when you hear the term politics?” may be a good way to start the discussion.
2. Ask one question at a time. Avoid double-barreled questions (or those having two
questions in one statement). The respondent may have a hard time identifying
which question to answer first.
3. Make sure that the questions are brief and easy to understand. Translate questions to
the local language if needed.
4. Record your interview, but for ethical purposes, ask permission from the
respondents first. Taking down notes will also be helpful in synthesizing the
respondents’ answers later on.

Guidelines for the presentation

1. Prepare presentation slides that contain a summary of the results. Introduce the
main objective and then present the results.
2. Use tables and charts to summarize your main points. These are not only for visual
representation, but are also a good way to synthesize your ideas.
3. Check for formatting and visual impact, too. After considering the content of your
slides, format must be the next on your list. For more tips, you may visit http://office
.microsoft.com/en-001/powerpoint-help/tips-for-creating-and-delivering-an-effective
-presentation-HA010207864.aspx.

Format for the Interview Guide

Interview Guide
(Questions you should ask to your respondents regarding their ideas about politics)

1.

2.

3.
Format for the Presentation of Results

Respondent Main Idea about Politics

1. Name (Optional), Age, Gender

Reflect Upon

What traits and characteristics do you think should a political scientist possess in relation
to the research task you have done above?

What Is a Government?
Political science is a social science
discipline that studies the state and the
government. The state is a political community
that involves four important elements, namely,
people, territory, sovereignty, and government. The individuals’ satisfaction with their
government is a determinant of governance.
The state, while is considered as something
abstract for it has no existence as a material
object, enjoys permanence,
is not confined to a particular space, and is not embodied in any person or collection of persons
(Kukathas 2008).
The government is the instrument of the state through which the will of the people is
expressed, carried out, and formulated. Thus, the government serves as the bridge that
connects the people to the state. The terms state and government are commonly used
interchangeably, but in strict political science terms, they definitely mean two different
things. This difference is further explored in module 4.
 At present, the terms government and
governance are also used with confusion to a
large extent. As an institution, it is the
government which concretizes the policies and
addresses the problems of the state. On the other
hand, good governance arises when the Governance,as a prospect of modern states,
demands both the political will of policy
government involves the people in its agenda and officials and the participation of citizens. This
in the process of policy making. The extent, only means that you are also part of governance.
therefore, to which democratic participation is
encouraged determines whether or not governance
exists.

Extend Your Knowledge

The World Bank, an international governmental organization, presents a
comprehensiveandholisticapproachtogovernance.Visit http://www.info.worldbank.org
/governance/wgi/index.aspx#home to know how the World Bank looks at good
governance.

What Have I Learned So Far?

Differentiate government from governance. What are their major differences?

The Study of Politics
So how do political scientists study the
political world? How is it like to look from the
perspective of political scientists? There are
several ways by which politics can be studied. To study politics entails using different
approaches or perspectives. A political scientist
Political science is an exciting discipline because also uses tools in understanding the political
it embraces an array of theoretical perspectives world, just like how chemists or physicists use a
and a variety of analytic frameworks. In his book, set of tools in their own fields.

Heywood (2013) summed up these major schools

of thought in political science.

The philosophical tradition, otherwise known as political philosophy, is regarded as

the traditional approach to politics. The Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle are usually
associated with this tradition as they asked what “should” or “ought” instead of what “is.”
This tradition underscored the analytical study of doctrines that have become the major focus
of political thought.

Politics can also be studied through empirical tradition. Political scientists who
advocate this approach believe that any account of political reality must be impartial and
should thus be tested through observation. Those who work in this tradition therefore
seek to analyze and explain, and not to offer recommendations, as in the philosophical
tradition.

Mainstream political analysis has also been dominated by the scientific tradition. This
tradition promotes objective and quantifiable ways of studying politics. The scientific
tradition was further pushed with the rise of behavioralism, or the belief that social theories
should arise from observation and quantifiable data.

Recent theoretical approaches contribute in widening the perspective of studying

political science. Among these include rational choice theory, new institutionalism,
and critical theory, which includes feminism, Marxism, and other post-positivist and
postmodernist approaches. Unlike behavioralism, post-positivism is an approach that
emphasizes how people conceive or “construct” the political world. Make a research
on these recent approaches and be ready to present in class your ideas about their main
arguments or premises.
Reflect Upon

Should we approach politics with scientific objectivity, adopting a value-free stance, or

should we accept that politics and its study are linked to political conviction and change? Is
it possible to study politics objectively and without bias? Explain your answer.

Extend Your Knowledge

The following materials offer a very good introduction to the study of Political
Science.
• Heywood, A. Politics. 4th ed. (Chapter 1). London: Palgrave MacMillian, 2013.
• Roskin, M., R. Cord, and W. Jones. Political Science: An Introduction. 12th ed.
(Chapter 1) New York: Pearson, 2012.

ESSENTIAL LEARNING
You have learned that politics is characterized by an interaction between
individuals whose relationship is characterized by conflict and cooperation. Politics
also involves the presence of binding solutions that will solve such differences,
although politics is no utopian solution. A particular form of social interaction could be
considered political if it involves relationships that have something to do with the art of
governance, public affairs, compromise and consensus, and power relations, which all
fall within political research. The ability to determine what is political is important in
researching about or studying politics. The use of particular approaches in political
science—whether the scientific, philosophical, or empirical ones—is crucial in
understanding what politics entails.