Philippine Politics and Governance

• Politics


  The exercise of control within society through the making and enforcement of collective decisions
• Good governance


  • Equity and inclusiveness - the most vulnerable ones are taken into consideration
  • Participatory - active involvement of all affected and interested parties in the decision-making process
• Aristotle's view of politics


  Politics allows human beings to have an attempt in improving their lives and create the Good Society
• Views on politics


  • Politics as power - conflict resolution is at the heart of politics
  • Politics as public affairs - distinction between 'the political' and 'the nonpolitical' coincides with the division between the state and civil society
  • Politics as compromise and consensus - decisions are made through peaceful debate and arbitration, rather than through force and naked power
• Studying politics

  Studying the government - personnel (people in government) and machinery (government departments, offices, agencies)
• Politics happens in cabinet rooms, legislative chambers, government departments
• Studying politics

  Studying the exercise of authority defined as legitimate power
• Politics is engaged in by a limited and specific group of people, notably politicians, civil servants and lobbyists
• The distinction between 'the political' and 'the nonpolitical' coincides with the division between the state and civil society
• The institutions of the state (government offices, courts, police, army) are 'public' while civil society (private businesses, unions, clubs) are 'private'
• This view of politics has a positive character - people should be encouraged to respect politics as an activity, and should be prepared to engage in the political process
• Private institutions


  Private businesses, trade unions, clubs, community groups and so on that are set up and funded by individual citizens to satisfy their own interests, rather than those of the larger society
• Politics as power


  Politics is present in all social activities, it is the ability to achieve a desired outcome, through whatever means
• Politics may be defined as: the art of government, public affairs, compromise and consensus, and power
• Governance is the exercise of power or authority by political leaders for the well-being of their country's citizens or inhabitants
• 8 Indicators of Good Governance

  • Participatory
  • Rule of Law
  • Effective and Efficient
  • Transparent
  • Responsive
  • Equitable and Inclusive
  • Consensus Oriented
  • Accountable
• Participatory


  Good governance requires participation of different sectors of the society
• Rule of Law


  Good governance is fundamentally adherence to the rule of law
• Effectiveness and Efficiency


  Good governance requires that the institutions, processes, and actors could deliver and meet the necessities of the society in a way that available resources are utilized well
• Transparency


  People are open to information regarding decision-making process and the implementation of decisions
• Responsiveness


  Institutions and processes serve all stakeholders in a timely and appropriate manner
• Equity and Inclusiveness


  All the members of the society, especially the most vulnerable ones must be taken into consideration
• Consensus Oriented


  Decisions are made after taking into consideration the different viewpoints
• Accountability


  Actors must be responsible for their actions
• Politics


  A social activity where there is no agreed single meaning, but it is often understood as the exercise of control within society through the making and enforcement of collective decisions.
• Ancient Greek word of Politics - "Polis" which means city-state.
• Preserves and amend the general rules under which they live. (Heywood, 2007)
• Reach and enforce binding decisions (Hague & Harrop, 2013)
• Unit of rule are conciliated by giving them a share of power. (Crick, 2005)
• Definition of Government

  Government is the term generally used to describe the formal institutions by which a group of people is ruled and governed.
• Purpose of Government

  Government is created for the benefit of people governed. It performs services or functions that are beyond the capabilities of any individual.
• Politics

  The one who got the extreme power to hold or control within the society to make and enforce decisions, rule, and rights collectively.
• Government 


  The people inside the country especially the government personnel.
• Governance 


  The action or manner of governing. An exercise of power or authority by political leaders to make a good society for the well-being of citizens or inhabitants.
• Ex. Function of Government

  1. The keeping of order and providing for the protection of people and property from violence and robbery.
• Forms of Government

  1. Monarchy - the supreme power or authority is in the hands of a single person.
  2. Aristocracy (Oligarchy) - the supreme power is vested upon a few privileged classes
  3. Democracy - supreme power of authority is vested upon a mass of people.