PolGov notes
Politics “polis” – city state
Politics – generally refers to the practice and theory of
influencing other people, which oftentimes is directed
towards decision making of policy formulation but at times
results in conflict or conflict ridden situations.
public law is that part of law which governs relationships
between individuals and the government, and
those relationships between individuals which
are of direct concern to the society
political is a social science discipline that deals with
science systems of government and the analysis of
political activity and political behavior
Aristotle He defined political science as the study of
the state
comparative is a field and a method used in political
politics science, characterized by an empirical
approach based on the comparative method
citizen control the people decide what matters are placed on
of the agenda the decision making agenda and how they are
placed there
elective the voters elect the ruler through a popular
election
hereditary The monarch inherits the crown according to
a fixed rule of succession
equality in people have the opportunity to vote for or
voting against the policy and all votes are counted as
equal
inclusion each and everyone is entitled to participate in
the association in the ways just described
Eight Elements of Good Governance
 Rule of Law - requires fair and legal frameworks that are
enforced by an impartial regulatory body, for the full protection
of stakeholders
 Transparency - means that information should be provided in
easily understandable forms and media
 Responsiveness - requires that organizations and their
processes are designed to serve the best interests of
stakeholders within a reasonable timeframe
 Consensus Oriented – the government must bear in mind that
policies are made for the people
 Equity and Inclusiveness - means that the benefits of growth
and progress must be holistic, broad and far reaching to include
the marginalized, the poorest of the poor who are in dire need
of the benefits of development
 Effectiveness and Efficiency - the process implemented by the
organization to produce favorable results that meet the needs
of its stakeholders, while making the best use of resources
human, technology, financial, natural and environmental at its
disposal
 Accountability - is a key tenet of good governance
 Participation - both men and women, either directly or through
legitimate representatives, is a key cornerstone of good
governance
De Jure Government– is one which has the general support of the
people and exists according to the constitutional or other legal
process
De Facto Government – is one which does not have the general
support of the people but not its existence in accordance with the
Constitution
Classification of Governments
A government of “One”
1. Autocracy – any system of government in which the
power and authority to rule are in the hands of a single
individual.
a. Totalitarian Dictatorship – a single leader seeks to
control all aspects of social and economic life. (ex. Adolf
Hitler, Joseph Stalin and Fidel Castro)
b. Dictatorial Rule – is a form of goverment where a
country is ruled by one person or political entity, and
exercised through various mechanisms to ensure the
entity’s power reamains strong.
2. Monarchy - the power to govern given to Kings, Queens,
Emperors, Czars, Sultans and the like
a. Absolute Monarchy – Monarchs have complete and
unlimited power to rule their people (ex. King of Saudi
Arabia, today they are rare but they ruled Western
Europe from 1400s-1700s.)
b. Constitutional/Limited Monarchy – In this type, the
monarch does not possess the real power to govern.
Serves mainly as ceremonial leaders of their
governments. The power to govern is normally vested in
the hands of the President or the Prime Minister.
A government of the “Few”
a. Aristocracy - is a form of government that places power
in the hands of a small privileged ruling class. The term
derives from the Greek aristokratia meaning “rule of the
best.”
b. Oligarchy – In here exists the rule of the wealthy whose
policy framework are directed against the poor and the
marginalized.
A government of the “Many”
a. Democracy - any system of government in which the rule
is by the people
b. Direct Democracy – the people govern themselves by
voting on issues individually as citizens. No country has a
government based on direct democracy.
c. Representative Democracy – the people elect
representatives and give them the power to make laws
and conduct government.
Note: Please do search and study the Reforms by Post-Marcos
Governments especially their very significant contributions
Corazon “Cory” Aquino (1986-1992)
Fidel V. Ramos (1992-1998)
Joseph E. Estrada (1998-2001)
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2001-2010)
Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” C. Aquino III (2010-2016)