Lesson 2

(PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE)

LESSON OBJECTIVES

 Explain the concept of power

 Recognize the nature, dimensions,

types, and consequences of power

 Analyze the nature, dimensions,

types, deployments, and
consequences of power
 Assess how power is exercised in
different situations
THE NATURE AND DIMENSIONS OF POWER
 Ability of a person to carry out his or her will

 In politics, it refers to the ability to exercise

control or impose restrictions over individuals,
as well as compel other people to do certain
tasks.

 According to social psychologists, John

French and Bertram Raven, power is viewed
as based on the perception and
understanding of the various participants in
POWER society.
BASES OF POWER
BY FRENCH AND RAVEN
 BASES OF POWER
Referent Power
– based on an individual’s personality and ability to attract followers

Legitimate Power
– based on a person’s position, role, and duties in a group.

Expert Power
– it relies on the knowledge and skills of the individual.

Coercive Power
– based on a person’s ability to compel other people through threats,
punishment, and force.

Reward Power
– based on the ability to give rewards and benefits.
 MAX WEBER
• A German sociologist and philosopher.

• Weber’s wide-ranging contributions gave

critical impetus to the birth of new academic
disciplines such as sociology.

• Also to the significant reorientation in law,

economics, political science, and religious
studies.

• He proposed a classification of power based

on different types of authority.
 CLASSIFICATION OF POWER BASED ON
DIFFERENT TYPES OF AUTHORITY
- based on the personal qualities of the
CHARISMATIC individual who wields power.

- recognized based on his/her traits and

how he/she is perceived by others.

Types
of
Authority

LEGAL-
TRADITIONAL
RATIONAL

- rooted in traditional values and existing - based on a system of laws and regulations,
social ties and institutions. and a established bureaucracy.

- examples: monarchs, members of royalty - a person is able to exercise power

because he/she has been empowered by
law.
 CONCEPTS IN RELATION TO POWER

Influence
– refers to the ability to entice or convince through
persuasion and other non-coercive means.

– more democratic in nature

Leadership
– power plays an important role in leadership

– Leaders exercise various forms of power in order to

guide people in an organization and lead them in
the conduct of various tasks.
POWER, LEGITIMACY, AND THE GOVERNMENT

 Power of the government to

perform its functions and
conduct its affairs without
interference.

 Refers to the authority to

exercise control over a group
or society.

SOVEREIGNTY
POWER, LEGITIMACY, AND THE GOVERNMENT

 According to social philosophers

during the age of enlightenment,
sovereignty resides in the
individuals that compose the
society.

 The basis of democratic ideal of

a government “of the people, by
the people, and for the people”.

SOVEREIGNTY
 SOVEREIGNTY THROUGH VARIOUS MEANS
 Greeks directly exercised sovereignty
through direct participation, direct
democracy.

 They could participate in assemblies

and discussions on important issues.

 In modern states, it is governed

through representative democracy,
where citizens do not directly run the
government.

 They select among themselves

individuals who shall serve as their
representatives in the government.
POWER, LEGITIMACY, AND THE GOVERNMENT
 It is the acceptance or
recognition of the right to
exercise power.

 Generally, bases on existing laws,

customs, and traditions prevalent
in a certain society.

 It is also based on the exercise of

certain activities that are
recognized to lead legitimacy to
a government or organic laws.

LEGITIMACY
Is it possible for a political leader to exercise authority in
government without legitimacy?
TAKE A LOOK...
 OTHER FORMS OF GOVERNMENT

 The elected  Once the official

representative finishes term, he/she
and the loses the power to
appointed govern.
officials borrow
power from the
sovereign people.

 The exercise of
power is subject
to limitations.
 Even when in
power, government
officials do not
wield all the powers
of the state.
OTHER FORMS OF GOVERNMENT

In addition, the
power to run the
government
resides in the
parliament,
headed by the
prime minister.

Prime Minister or
Presidents is
designated as
“head of the
government”
POWER AND GOVERNANCE
 POWER AND GOVERNANCE

Forms of Powers
(Regional and
International Politics)

Economic Power Soft Power

Military Power
The use of economic resources
The capacity of a state to and finances, and the ability of
wage war against another states to influence other nations
state. by denying or giving them
access to certain resources.
The ability of state to use its
image and reputation in
influencing other countries. It
includes use of diplomacy,
propaganda and mass media.
POWER AND CITIZENSHIP
Power and citizenship
are closely intertwined concepts within the context of
a democratic society.

Bill of Rights (Article III of the

1987 Philippine Constitution)
enumerates the various political, social, and
economic rights that citizen enjoy.

The concept of citizenship

has also influenced views on the powers wielded by
citizens.
 Political Citizenship
-emerged in 19th century
-emphasized participation
and exercised of political
power by citizens.
Civil Citizenship
Social Citizenship
-took shape in 18th -emerged in 20th century
century
-it focused on economic,
-it focused on the cultural, and social well-being
and set standards that must be
individual freedoms enjoyed by all citizens.
and rights.

Concept of
Citizenship
Formal means by which the citizens are able to directly participate in the
government…

Suffrage Plebiscite
Power of citizens that Process by which citizens
enables them to vote in approve of proposed
public elections. changes to the constitution.

Referendum Initiative
Process by which citizens
Similar to an election but instead
directly propose laws or
of electing officials, citizens vote
for or against a proposal or a law.
amendments to the
constitution.

ADVOCACY
Process which individuals or groups seek to influence
decisions or implement change.
 THE POPULAR REVOLT

Indian Independence Movement in 1920’s led by Mahatma Ghandi

THE POPULAR REVOLT

1986 EDSA Power Revolution

 THE POPULAR REVOLT

1989 Tiananmen Square Protests

• Government action should be
defined by responsibility and
accountability.

• Responsibility is closely tied with

obligation.

• Obligation refers to an action

that an individual is required to
perform.
refers to the acknowledgment of responsibility for an
action and its consequences.
LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Refer to a set of obligations
outlined by law.

MORAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Refer to doing actions that are
considered to be morally and
socially acceptable and
deserving of praise.
 Local Officials
They are responsible for
maintaining law and order,
promoting the interests of the
people within their respective
jurisdictions.
 Members of Congress
They are expected to create laws that will uphold the common good.
 The President
The head of the executive
branch, is tasked to uphold the
Philippine Constitution.

The head of the executive is

tasked to effectively administer
government services.

The head of the executive

branch is tasked to implement
the laws of the country.
VARIOUS WAYS THAT POWER CAN BE ABUSED

ABUSE OF AUTHORITY ABUSE OF DISCRETION

Refers to the use of authorized power Refers to willful disregard for the rules
for illegal acts or stepping beyond the or proper procedure.
bounds of authorized action.
VARIOUS WAYS THAT POWER CAN BE ABUSED

ABUSE OF POWER
Pertains to misconduct in office,
where an official performs unlawful
actions while in office.
 CORRUPTION
The use of authority or influence
for private interest. It is seen in
various actions such as
patronage, nepotism, bribery,
and influence peddling.

GRAFT
The form of political corruption
where an official uses public
funds for his or her personal
gains.
 OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN

This office investigates cases alleged abuses by public officials and

government employees.
 SANDIGANBAYAN

This office is empowered to hear and decide on cases involving

graft and corruption and abuse of powers by public officials.
 PCGG
Presidential Commission on Good Government

This commission is tasked with investigating cases of graft and

corruption and formulating safeguards to ensure that corrupt
practices in government are prevented.
 COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Is empowered to investigate cases of violations of civil and political
rights and to look into cases of police and military abuse,
extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and abuse of
prisoners or persons held in jails.
 COMMISSION ON AUDIT
This commission is tasked with reviewing expenditures of
government offices and agencies to ensure that public funds are
used properly.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON ACCOUNTABILITY OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND
INVESTIGATIONS
“ BLUE RIBBON COMMITTEE”
This committee investigates alleged wrongdoings of government,
its officials, and agencies for the purpose of drafting new laws or
amending existing laws to address the problem of abuse and
corruption in government.
 STATEMENT OF ASSESTS, LIABILITIES, AND NET WORTH
(SALN)
It contains the information regarding the assets, liabilities, and
worth of high-ranking officials and offices.
 MEDIA
An important institution that ensures the timely discussion of
events and issues that are significant to the government.