PSC Handouts

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 TAXATION
DOMAIN
 Scope of Power Regulates both Affects only the Affects only the
Liberty and Property Rights Property Rights
Property
Who May Exercise Only the Maybe exercised Only the
Government by Private Entities Government
Compensation Compensation is Compensation is Compensation is
the intangible, full and fair the protection and
altruistic feeling equivalent of the public
that the individual property taken. improvements
has contributed to instituted by the
the public good. government for the
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)
3 1902 Government Philippine William Howard Taft Upper House:
- of the Organic Act (1901 - 1904) Philippine
1916 Philippine (1902 - 1916) Commission
Luke Edward Wright
Islands (1907 - 1916;
( 1904 - 1905)
Appointed)
Henry Clay Ide (1905- Lower House:
1906) Philippine
James Francis Smith Assembly (1907
(1906 - 1909) - 1916; Elected)
William Cameron
Forbes (1909 - 1913)

Newton Gilbert
( 1913)
 Francis Burton
Harrison (1913 -
1921)
Francis Burton
Harrison (1913 -
1921)
Charles Yeater (1921)
Leonard Wood (1921 - Upper House:
1927) Senate (1916 -
Eugene Allen Gilmore 1935; Elected)
(1927)
Henry L. Stimson
Government
1916 (1927 - 1929)
of the
4 - Jones Law
Philippine
1935 Eugene Allen Gilmore
Islands
(1929)
Dwight F. Davis (1929
- 1932) Lower House:
House of
George C. Butte
Representatives
(1932)
(1916 - 1935;
Theodore Roosevelt,
Elected)
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)
7 1946 3rd Philippine 1935 President Manuel A.
- Republic Constitution Roxas (1946 – 1948,
1972 Liberal Party)
President Elpidio
Quirino ( 1948 – Upper House:
1953, Liberal Party) Senate
President Ramon
Magsaysay (1953 –
1957, Nacionalista
Party)
President Carlos P. Lower House:
Garcia (1957 – 1961, House of
Nacionalista Party) Representatives
President Diosdado
Macapagal (1961 –
1965, Liberal Party)
President Ferdinand
E. Marcos, Sr. (1965 –
 1986, Nacionalista
Party, KBL)
Legislative
President Ferdinand Advisory (1976 -
1972 1978)
1973 E. Marcos, Sr. (1965 –
8 - Martial Law
Constitution 1986, Nacionalista Batasang
1981
Party, KBL) Pambansa
(1976 - 1978)
Interim
Batasang
President Ferdinand Pambansa
1981 (1978)
4th Philippine 1973 E. Marcos, Sr. (1965 –
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
President Gloria M.
nt
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 PROVINC

POSITION NAME
ON E
1 1899 – Malolos Emilio F.
President Luzon
1901 Constitution Aguinaldo
Prime Apolinario Mabini Luzon
Minister
(President of
the Council
of
Government)
; January
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
President Manuel A. Roxas Visayas
1946 - 1935
5 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
1 Constitution Aquino
1986
1 (Freedom Prime
Salvador Laurel Luzon
Constitution) Minister
 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.
President Macapagal- Luzon
2001 – 1987
Arroyo
2004 Constitution
Vice- Teofisto
Luzon
1 President Guingona
4 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”i:
(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.
i