POS 100: POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE

Department of Political Science

School of Social Sciences
Ateneo de Manila University

2nd Semester, AY 2013-2014

Gino Antonio P. Trinidad, MA
Lecturer
gtrinidad@ateneo.edu
Office number: (02)4266001 loc. 5250/(02)4260906
Mobile number: (0917)8927350

Consultation Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:oopm – 4:30pm LH 300

Course description

The course is a study of institutions, actors, powers and limits of the Philippine government.
It looks at the processes of governance, particularly the interplay of state and non-state actors in rule
making. The course highlights theories that make sense of change and continuities in Philippine
governance, as well as the spaces for citizen participation such as elections and local governance.
Comparisons with the politics and governance of other Southeast Asian states will also be discussed.

Expected learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

Knowledge

a. Demonstrate a basic grasp of the issues of Philippine politics and governance;

b. Understand, apply and evaluate theories and concepts on the structures, institutions,
processes of rule-making, rule enforcing and rule adjudicating processes and of the basic
state and citizen relations in governance;

Skills

c. Critically assess theories and practices across different contexts and fields of Philippine
politics; and

Attitudes

d. Integrate the course with one’s own field of discipline as basis for pursuing a positive and
pro-active political life as citizens and professionals.
Course outline, schedule, and texts1

Introduction
(January 24: seatwork)

Required:
Kerkvliet, Benedict J. Tria, “Everyday Politics in Peasant Societies (and Ours).” The Journal of
Peasant Studies 36.1 (2009): 227-243.

“The Political Approach to Human Behaviour: People, Resources and Power”, in Adrian
Leftwich, ed., What is Politics: The Activity and its Study. Cambridge: Polity Press, 2011.

Supplementary:
“What is Politics?” in Andrew Heywood, Politics New York: Palgrave Macmillan Limited,
2007.

(January 27: First day of Praxis)

Analyzing Philippine Democratic Politics

(January 31, February 7, and February 14: short reports)

Required:
Migdal, Joel S. Strong Societies and Weak States: State-Society Relations and State
Capabilities in the Third World. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1998, 10-41.

Kerkvliet, Benedict J. Tria, “Toward a More Comprehensive Analysis of Philippine Politics:

Beyond the Patron-Client, Factional Framework.” Journal of Southeast Asian Studies 26.2
(September 1995): 401-419.

Anderson, Benedict. “Cacique Democracy in the Philippines: Origins and Dreams,” in Spectre
of Comparisons: Nationalism, Southeast Asia, and the World. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila
University Press, 2004.

Mojares, Resil B. “The Dream Goes On and On: Three Generations of the Osmeñas, 1906-
1990”, in An Anarchy of Families: State and Family in the Philippines. Ed., Alfred W. McCoy.
Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press, 1994.

Supplementary:
Hedman, Eva-Lotta E. In the Name of Civil Society: From Free Election Movements to People
Power in the Philippines. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2006, Introduction.

Quimpo, Nathan. “Contested Democracy: An Alternative Interpretation of Philippine Politics”,

in Contested Democracy and the Left in the Philippines After Marcos. Quezon City: Ateneo de
Manila University Press, 2008.

1
The praxis component of the Casa Bayanihan program is an integral part of the course as it serves as an
avenue for enriching and deepening learning. The course essay and presentation will be based on the
students’ praxis experiences.
 (February 7 – 9: First Praxis Weekend)
(February 15: POS100 field trip)
(February 21: Field trip processing and course essay consultation)
(February 26 – March 2: Calatagan Trip)

Philippine Democracy: Institutions, Processes, Practices

A. Executive, Legislative, Judiciary

(February 28)

Required:
Lim, Millard O. “Presidents, and Prime Ministers: Design, Powers, and Limits of the
Philippine Executive”, in Philippine Politics: Democratic Ideals and Realities. Ateneo de
Manila University Department of Political Science. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila
University Press, 2010.

Ruland, Jurgen. “Constitutional Debates in the Philippines: From Presidentialism to

Parliamentarism?” Asian Survey 43.3 (2003): 461-486.

Mendoza, Diana J. “Democracy and the Philippine Congress”, in Philippine Politics:

Democratic Ideals and Realities. Ateneo de Manila University Department of Political
Science. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2010.

Lim, Millard O. “Courts, Justices, and Judges: The Philippine Judiciary and Philippine
Constitutional Democracy”, in Philippine Politics: Democratic Ideals and Realities. Ateneo
de Manila University Department of Political Science. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila
University Press, 2010.

Supplementary:
Rebullida, Ma. Lourdes G. “The Philippine Executive and Redemocratization”, in Philippine
Politics and Governance: An Introduction. Eds. Noel M. Morada and Teresa S. Encarnacion
Tadem. Quezon City: Department of Political Science, College of Social Sciences and
Philosophy, University of the Philippines, 2006.

Caoili, Olivia C. “The Restored Philippine Congress,” in Philippine Politics and Governance:
An Introduction. Eds. Noel M. Morada and Teresa S. Encarnacion Tadem. Quezon City:
Department of Political Science, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, University of the
Philippines, 2006.

Coronel, Shiela S. “Born to Rule”, in Sheila S. Coronel et. al. Eds., The Rulemakers; How the
Wealthy and Well-Born Dominate Congress. Manila: Philippine Center for Investigative
Journalism, 2004.

B. Party Politics and Elections

(March 7)

Required:
 Teehankee, Julio C. “Image, Issues, and Machinery: Presidential Campaigns in Post-1986
Philippines”, in Yuko Kasuya and Nathan Gilbert Quimpo, eds., The Politics of Change in the
Philippines. Pasig City: Anvil Publishing, Inc., 2010.

Lao, Melissa. “Democracy and Elections in the Philippines”, in Philippine Politics:

Democratic Ideals and Realities. Ateneo de Manila University Department of Political
Science. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2010.

Supplementary:
Hutchcroft, Paul D., and Joel Rocamora, “Strong Demands and Weak Institutions: The
Origins and Evolution of the Democratic Deficit in the Philippines.” Journal of East Asian
Studies 3 (2003): 259-292 (http://www.tni.org/archives/rocamora/demands.pdf)

C. Decentralization and Political Participation

(March 14)

Required:
Salvador, Alma Maria O. “Decentralization, Democracy, and Local Governance in the
Philippines: Concepts, Issues, and Practices”, in Philippine Politics: Democratic Ideals and
Realities. Ateneo de Manila University Department of Political Science. Quezon City: Ateneo
de Manila University Press, 2010.

Melegrito, Ma. Lourdes F., and Diana J. Mendoza, “NGOs, Politics, and Governance” in
Politics and Governance: Theory and Practice in the Philippine Context. Quezon City:
Department of Political Science, Ateneo de Manila University, 1999.

Supplementary:
Magadia SJ, Jose J. “Policy-making in the Aquino Years”, in State-Society Dynamics: Policy
Making in a Restored Democracy. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2003.

(March 19 – 23: Break)

(March 28: Long Exam)

Issues of Philippine Politics and Governance

(April 4 and April 11)

Required:
Co, Edna E.A., et. al. Minimizing Corruption: Philippine Democracy Assessment. Pasig City:
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, 2007.

Hutchcroft, Paul D. “Dreams of Redemption: Localist Strategies of Political Reform in the

Philippines”, in Yuko Kasuya and Nathan Gilbert Quimpo, eds., The Politics of Change in the
Philippines. Pasig City: Anvil Publishing, Inc., 2010.

Karaos, A. “Perceptions and Practices of Democracy and Citizenship Among Urban Middle
Class Families” in Maria Serena I. Diokno, ed. Democracy and Citizenship in Filipino Culture.
Diliman, Quezon City: Third World Studies Center, University of the Philippines, 1997.
 Kusaka, Wataru. “Governing Informalities of the Urban Poor: Street Vendors and Social Order
Making in Metro Manila”, in Yuko Kasuya and Nathan Gilbert Quimpo, eds., The Politics of
Change in the Philippines. Pasig City: Anvil Publishing, Inc., 2010.

Supplementary:
Eaton, K. “Restoration or Transformation? ‘Trapos’ versus NGOs in the Democratization of the
Philippines.” The Journal of Asian Studies 62.2 (2003): 469-496.

Hutchcroft, Paul D. “The Arroyo Imbroglio in the Philippines.” Journal of Democracy 19.1
(2008): 141-155.

----. “The Limits of Good Intentions: Noynoy Aquino One Year On” Inside Story (30 June
2011). http://inside.org.au/the-limits-of-good-intentions-noynoy-aquino-one-year-on

Pertierra, Raul. “The New Media and Politics? Or the Politics of New Media?”, in Yuko
Kasuya and Nathan Gilbert Quimpo, eds., The Politics of Change in the Philippines. Pasig City:
Anvil Publishing, Inc., 2010.

(April 14 – 20: Holy Week)

(April 25: POS100 Research Break)
(May 2: POS100 Course Essay Presentation)
(May 9, class time: Deadline of the final version of the course essay)

Assessment and course requirements

Class participation2 20%

Short report3 20%
Long Exam4 30%
Course Essay and
Presentation5 30%
100%

2
Includes quizzes and other in-class work and activities.
3
Individual short report of current events aimed at demonstrating understanding of frameworks and concepts
based on the texts.
4
A written and sit down exam of assigned readings designed to evaluate understanding of theories and
concepts and to test critical analysis skills (or reasoning and argumentation skills) of students.
5
The course essay is an analysis of a political issue chosen by the group from their praxis experiences.
Students will be working in groups of three. The essay must be at least 10 pages long, double-spaced, Times
New Roman font size 12, written on A4-sized paper, one-inch margins on all sides. Students are free to use the
citation format they are most comfortable with, though I prefer the MLA citation format. The breakdown of
the 30% allotted for the Final Paper and Presentation is as follows: 10% Final Paper, 10% Presentation, and
10% Peer Evaluations (instructions for which to be announced). The general criteria for the Final Paper is as
follows
1. Structure and argument: How the argument is introduced, developed, and concluded;
2. Knowledge and understanding: Shows the grasp and exploration of the relevant issues and
concepts; and
3. Style and presentation: Use of grammar, syntax, correct spelling, punctuation, and academic
conventions (citation and bibliography).
Grading system6

A (Excellent) - 92-100
B+ (Very Good) - 87-91
B (Good) - 83-86
C+ (Satisfactory) - 79-82
C (Fair) - 75-78
D (Passing) - 70-74
F (Failure) - 69 and below

Classroom policies

1. Attendance will be checked during each meeting after the second bell. Students who arrive
after their names have been called twice will be marked late. The school policy on overcuts
will be strictly enforced (that is, for a three-hour, once-a-week regular semester class, the
maximum number of cuts is three (3); on the 4th cut the student will get a W). No make-up
papers for quizzes or activities missed due to an unexcused absence. Excused absences
include the following: hospitalization (with medical certificate), official school activity
(competition, conference with letter from coach or ADAA or home department).

2. If the teacher is not in class at the prescribed time, the students should wait quietly inside the
classroom for 10 minutes. If the teacher is still absent after this time, the students may
consider themselves dismissed. However, if the class is notified, through the class beadle, of
the teacher’s time of arrival, the students are obliged to wait until the time designated. If the
teacher fails to arrive at the appointed time, the students may consider themselves dismissed.

3. In case classes are cancelled without prior notice (e.g., due to inclement weather), students
should check their respective class’s electronic mail group and/or the Department of Political
Science bulletin board for any messages regarding the assignment for the next meeting.

4. Behavior that prevents or disrupts the process of learning is unacceptable. The teacher has
the discretion to send a student out of the classroom for unacceptable behavior; in such a case,
the student will be penalized with a cut.

5. The university rules and policies concerning academic dishonesty (e.g., plagiarism, cheating
in exams, etc.), among others, will be enforced strictly.

6
The rules for rounding up grades are as follows: If the tenths digit is less than 5, the grade remains the same;
if the tenths digit is greater than 5, the grade is rounded up to the nearest unit; if the tenths digit is 5 and the
digit preceding it is odd, the grade remains the same; if the tenths digit is 5 and the digit preceding it is even
(including zero), the grade is rounded up to the nearest unit.