 Examining Populism and Democracy

o Why is populism powerful?

Demanding for reforms and revision in the current governance and services
of the leaders and elites, is a representation of people’s recognition of their
rights and wills as a citizen of the nation. The activity, performance, and
success of populism has experienced peaks and troughs. Some people were
able to be heard, and some were neglected.  It is first and foremost
characterized by its claim to represent the will of the true people versus
some ‘other’, commonly represented as a corrupt and self-serving elite. It is a
collective action mobilizing with a common goal and to criticize the
unnecessary matters in political system that seem to violate human rights.
o Populism and Democracy in the Philippines
  19th century term associated with democratic politics, populism has
gained prominence with the failure of neoliberalism to address the rapid rise
of inequalities in countries, regardless of state of economic development, the
deepening injustices in the world, and intensifying armed conflict between
and within countries. Ruling politicians and global leaders are seen as
defenders of the elite, establishment, and iniquitous status quo.
Joseph Estrada’s (1998-2001) presidency was cut short by another
mass mobilization, dubbed as ‘People Power 2,’ otherwise known as ‘EDSA
Dos’ in January 2001, after he was pilloried for corruption, drinking,
gambling, womanizing, and even for his poor command of the English
language, mocked and ridiculed by the middle-upper-middle and elite class,
his ascendancy to the presidency was not merely due to his extensive
experience in local and national politics (34 years as a politician) but more
importantly on the image he has projected as a movie actor defending the
poor against injustices and abuses committed by the rich and powerful in the
country. As an actor for nearly 40 years, played lead roles as a
‘compassionate gangster’ in over 100 movies and produced more than 70
films, Estrada gained the endearment of the masses as the latter identify
themselves with the struggles of the former as their ‘hero’ in movies against
prejudices, inequalities, and discrimination exacted by filthy rich and corrupt
politicians. He captured the minds and hearts of the poor as if he knows how
the poor lived, laboured, suffered, and wrestled with everyday life (Hedman
2001). Estrada’s populism was expressed in his slogan Erap para sa
mahirap (Erap for the poor) in the 1998 presidential election when he won
by landslide, garnering almost 40% of the votes while the poor second got
only 15%. Unfortunately, his unconstitutional ouster from power in 2001
was instigated by the Catholic Church, powerful political and business clans,
middle-and upper-middle class CSOs, and former Presidents with
the endorsement and instigation of the US.
Reference:
 https://www.eurasiareview.com/15022021-rise-of-populism-in-
philippines-antecedence-and-consequence-analysis/
o Roles of Democracy in Society
1. Evans (2001) explains that in practical terms the citizens within a “self-
governing community” (p. 624) take responsibility collectively for
determining that “important civil freedoms” (ibid) are accounted for, and
that the “aims and objectives of the community, as expressed through the
ballot box” (ibid) are upheld and maintained for the common interest.
 Recognition and giving importance to people’s welfare and rights; the
“majority’s interest” must take into consideration and be heard
 values of freedom, human rights, and equality
2. Importantly, as Schemeil (2000) identifies, the “democratic goal [is in]
helping leaders to limit their own power, to listen to critics, and to have
self-restraint” (p. 107).
 Egocentric political leaders must not be welcomed in position
 A true democratic leader always listen to his people, not on his
personal interest. The focus of his calling as a leader is to serve and
protect the welfare and rights of every citizen despite the differences
in status.
 A leader must accept and understand that his/her power came from
the mass, and so he/she should exercise it in a non-abusive way.
Reference:
https://www.waikato.ac.nz/students/student-
learning/academic/essays/phil215_1_democracy.pdf

 Achieving Justice in the Age of Climate Change

o Climate Change through Anthropology Lens
Climate change is not merely a naturally occurring phenomena. It is also
happening because of human activities causing the said phenomena or how
people are taking care of the environment or how they consume natural
resources. As population and exhaustion of environment and natural
resources rise, consumption became limited or worse, unequal distribution.
o Climate Justice
1. It begins with the idea that the adverse impacts of a warming climate are
not felt equitably among people. Climate change, an inherently social
issue, can upset anyone’s daily life in countless ways. But not all climate
impacts are created equal, or distributed equally. From extreme weather
to rising sea levels, the effects of climate change often have
disproportionate effects on historically marginalized or underserved
communities.
2. A definition of climate justice: “As a form of environmental justice,
climate justice is the fair treatment of all people and the freedom from
discrimination in the creation of policies and projects that address
climate change as well as the systems that create climate change and
perpetuate discrimination.”

Reference:
https://www.climategen.org/blog/what-does-climate-justice-
mean-to-you/