LESSON 6 Rizal as a Political Philosopher: Rizal would Criticize Today’s Society

Learning Outcomes:

1. Describe the social, political and economic conditions of the world and the
Philippines during Rizal’s time.
2. Examine the political situation during Rizal’s time.

Concepts, Meaning, Features and Dimension

Max Weber defines government as the rise of an institution which has a “monopoly of the
legitimate use of physical power.” Weber complains that government is an institution that could
legally take people’s property by taxing them, imprisoning them, and even executing them. As a
result of these powers, government could force people to do things that they otherwise would resist.

Rizal’s definition of government and politics focused on the Spanish influences. One of Rizal’s
strongest criticisms of Spaniards colonialization was the corruption of the bureaucracy. In
describing a typical Spanish bureaucrat, Rizal wrote: “In order to govern peoples he does not know
or understand, he ought to possess the talent of a genius and extraordinary knowledge. Rizal argued
that this was necessary because the Filipinos were gaining a new political sophistication.

Rizal’s Concept of Government and Politics

In his letters to the Filipino leaders, Rizal commented at length about government. In a letter
to Mariano Ponce, Rizal remarked that one day Filipino political leaders would finish their
“arduous mission which is the formation of the Filipino nation.”

Features

Rizal’s Definition of Basic Political Terms

1. Political Culture – is a set of ideas on values about government and political process held by
a community or nation.

Rizal on Political Culture – In his essay “The Indolence of the Filipinos” Rizal observed
that “without education and liberty…no reform is impossible.” Rizal explained that, the
political culture not thrive in the Philippines because of the inability of the Spanish to
 recognize local political values. Only with education could Filipinos overcome this
deficiency.

2. Political Socialization – is one of the main elements of political science. Also defined as the
process by which people, at various stages in their lives, acquire views and orientations about
politics.

Rizal on Political Socialization – By emphasizing the importance of being a Filipino, Rizal

accelerated the process of local nationalism. His criticism of the friars and the church helped
to change attitudes toward local nationalism.

3. Political Ideology – is a comprehensive and logically ordered set of beliefs about the nature
of people and about the institutions and role of government.

Rizal on Political Ideology – In Rizal’s novel Noli Me tangere, he wrote:

….we are speaking of the present condition of the Philippines…yes, we are entering upon
a period of strife…the strife is between the past, which seizes and strives with curses to
cling to the tottering feudal castles, and the future, whose some of triumph may be heard
from afar. Bringing the message of good news from other land.” As a passionate supporter
of a new Philippine nation, Rizal introduced a fierce brand of ideology which had made
Filipinos among the most political people in the world. Filipinos havecarefully defined
political ideology.”

4. Nationalism – is a the idea of oneness by a group of people who possess common traditions, a
shared history, a set of goals, and a belief in a specific future.

Rizal on Nationalism – Rizal argued that Filipinos could only foster their own sense of
nationalism by studying history. Rizal wrote to Blumentritt: “I would stimulate these
Philippine studies.” and concluded that history provided “the true concept of one’s self and
drove nations to do great things.” Foremost is that he is the dominant national hero who,
unlike all other heroes, had a firm vision of the future of the Philippines. He glorifies life
in the Philippines. Onofre D. Corpuz concludes that Rizal’s life suggest he isthe “father of
the country”.

5. Representative Government – it is the notion that the people have an inherent right to sit in a
chamber that determines their future.
 Rizal on Representative Government – Spain had granted Filipinos representation inthe
Spanish Cortes from May 1809 until the privilege was removed by Queen Maria Cristina in
1836. Rizal believed that the representation was essential to the governing process. Rizal
contented the representation removed the spirit of revolution.

6. Democracy – a government in which all power is shared by citizens. The word demos is
derived from a Greek word which means people.

Rizal on Democracy – In Rizal’s view the best government was a mixture between representative
democracy and responsible model of democracy. He believed that it would take some time for
Filipinos to actively participate in local government. The definition of democracy is found in Rizal’s
mind. He employed such definition in his writings, his public speeches, and his advocacy of Philippine
democracy.

Jose Rizal as an Ilustrado in 19th Century

What does it mean?

- It means the highlighted one, anti-friar

- They were the middle class who were educated in Spanish liberal and
exposed to Spanish liberal and European Nationalist ideals

Lecture:

The Spanish government system in the Philippines and the Social classes Interactive
Discussion: Discussion Board; Students contribute ideas to resolve the question: What are the
elements of Rizal's concept of government? Would these elements apply to resolve present world and
national political conflicts?

Exercises:

Make an inventory of political problems confronting our country today.

References:

J. Rizal, The Man and the Hero-Pg. (109-117)

https://prezi.com/kndt1fljvr3l/jose-rizal-as-a-political-philosopher-rizal-would-criticize/?f
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