MS. MAY G.

LIMBAGA, MPoSc
University of Cebu
Old definition
- the study of the state in all its elements,
aspects & relationships.
Modern definition
- it is a systematic study of politics “an
attempt by systematic analysis to discover in
the confusing detail whatever principles may
exist of wider & more general significance,”
not only about the State, its organs & institutions
but also other institutions or politics as well
such as political attitudes of people & their
leaders, controversial issues & other aspects
concerning the States’ operation, powers &
functions.
Niccolo Machiavelli Woodrow Wilson
his career as a was a historian &
politician & became a political scientist 1st
political scientist before he became a
when his political politician.
career ended. a.) Congressional Gov’t
a.) The Prince b.) International Ideals
b.) The Discourses
“Politics” came from the Greek word,
polis or city-state
ARISTOTLE – is the father of political science
“man by nature is a political animal”
“the essence of social existence is politics & that
two or more men interacting with one another are
invariably involved in a political relationship”
 This relationship may be characterized by
‘rule,’ ‘authority,’ or ‘power’
 People through
interaction w/
each other to
satisfy their
different wants
POLITIC and needs
Advantages
S
Attempts to
reach compromise
& accommodation
to reconcile
differences
 Interaction
produces conflict

POLITIC Disadvantage However, there is

S s more competition
& cunning
machinations in
the struggle for
power rather than
accommodation
1. Political Theory
1st it is political thought which explains the political
ides & beliefs of a group of young people.
2nd which expresses the moral & ethical standards
that governments may adopt to run public affairs.
3rd as a political ideology, which is an official
doctrine that the people of a state adhere to, & which
encompasses all the aspects of human existence.
2. Public Law – refers to the constitutional and legal
principles/rules governing sovereign states,
governments & individuals in their relationships w/
one another.
3. International Relations, International Law, &
International Organization – involves inquires into the
foreign policy of nation-states in their mutual
relationships on the different forces like geographical,
technological, economic, demographic, psychological &
political which contribute to the shaping of such policy.
4. Government – dealing with the gov’t. setup of a state
on both national & local levels. An important part of
this study is to find out how the gov’t operates from
the point of view of the relationship between the
governors and the governed.
5. Comparative Gov’t. – becomes more important in
contemporary times w/ the emergence of newly
independent states
POLITICAL SCIENCE – is concerned with the
systematic study of politics…
 The central to this study is the State:
❖ Itsgovernment and institutions,
❖ The relations of the state with citizens & other
associations in society,
❖ The relations of the state with other states
  Major theories in understanding the origin of
the State:
1. The divine right theory;
2. Social contract theory;
3. The force theory;
4. The natural theory;
5. The patriarchal theory;
6. The instinctive theory; and
7. The economic theory
DIVINE RIGHT THEORY – that the state was
created by God
SOCIAL CONTRACT THEORY – that the State
was formed by means of a social contract of
men who lived in a state of nature.
  Government – as an agency of the state
emphasis was given to its concept, nature and
functions.
 6 Types of government:
1. monarchy, 5. democracy, and
2. Tyranny, 6. mobocracy
3. Aristocracy,
4. Oligarchy,
 Government by one person
1. Monarchy – is a form of government where
ruler is a monarch who comes from a royal
family.
a.) Absolute monarchy – the monarch exercises
absolute powers
b.) Limited monarchy – the monarch is willing to
part with some of his powers and delegates
them to some gov’t agencies.
2. Dictatorship – is a form of gov’t ruled by a
person who comes from military or civilian
class.
➢ Dictatorship may be totalitarian when the
dictator controls everything – all the means of
communication, homes, schools and churces,
the nation’s economy and even the people’s
lives, their minds and souls.
 Characteristics of Totalitarianism:
a.) as a form of gov’t the totalitarian dictatorship
is built on an ideological foundation. Ideology
is an official doctrine which the people believe
in or adhere to, and which covers all aspects of
human life.
b.) totalitarianism is characterized by the
totalitarian leader who wields absolute powers.
c.) Totalitarian dictatorship uses terrorism to
control the people. To maximize the
effectiveness of terror as a means of mass
control.
d.) Totalitarianism is also centralized control by
the gov’t of the nation’s economy.
 Its emphasis is given to the status of the few
rules in gov’t.
❖ Typical of this gov’t. by the few are:

a.) Aristocracy – is a gov’t. by the “best” members

of the community.
b.) Oligarchy – is also a gov’t. by the wealthy few
but they do not come from the nobility like the
aristocrats. The Oligarchs believe that most
important requisites to the claim of power are
wealth, good social position and education
 Democracy means people’s rule.
➢ A democratic gov’t. is identified by 2 essential
features:
a.) Majority rule
b.) Minority rights
1. The Citizens – plays a very important role in
making democracy effective. Citizens should
exercise their liberty and freedoms within the
bounds of the Constitution and the law, just as
gov’t. should exercise its authority within
limits.
2. Suffrage and the Electoral Process – is a right
conferred by law upon a qualified group of
citizens to choose their public officials & to
participate in the proposed policies.
3.) Political party – the driving forces of
democracy
4.) Interest and Pressure Groups – are also
effective means of mobilizing gov’t. to function
in accordance with the principle that gov’t.
exists for the greatest happiness of the greatest
number of people in society.
1. By fooling masses by giving them a false sense
of hope and well-being. The leaders will have
all the opportunity to promote their private
interests to the detriment of the masses.
2. Political authority is exercised by a few elite
grp whose wealth and influence are their
insurance to power.
3. The possibility of weak leadership
1. UNITARY GOVERNMENT – concentrates
governmental powers in one organ, the central
or national gov’t. to which the constituent or
LGU owe their existence and from which they
derive their powers and functions
✓ Students explain the advantages &
disadvantages
2. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT – is one in which
gov’t powers are divided between the central
gov’t and its LGUs as specified in the
constitution.
✓ Students explain the advantages &
disadvantages
 Suffrage – may be defined as a right conferred
by law to a certain designated group of people
who are entitled to select their public officers &
to decide fundamental public issues.
 Electorate is the body of people who exercise
this right
1. Suffrage as an attribute of citizenship – only the
citizens of the city-state had the right to
exercise suffrage.
2. Suffrage as a vested privilege – only the rich
who owned property had t he vested right &
privilege to vote for their public officials.
3. Suffrage as an abstract or natural right – is an
inherent right endowed upon man by God.
Many political scientists say that this theory
Of suffrage if practiced would enhance the
democratic process.
4. The ethical theory – makes man an asset to this
community for its main objective is to improve
not only his personality, but also mold him in
the matrix of responsible citizenship.
5. Suffrage as a government function –
presupposes that suffrage is a function of govt.
 It is the govt. that prescribes certain qualifications
of an individual qualified to vote.
➢ Shepard’s list of theories are Peel’s and
Roucek’s classifications:
1. Individualistic theory – it considers that the
right to vote is a part of natural law and
therefore inherent in the individual.
2. Collectivist theory – the exercise of suffrage
A right but a function of the govt w/c is
performed for the interest of the state or the
whole community.
From the Totalitarian viewpoint, the exercise of
suffrage for the “common interest”
3. Dualistic theory – commingles the
individualistic & collectivist theories of
suffrage. In this view, the voters exercise the
franchise as a legal right not only for his own
Good but also for the common welfare.
Qualifications for the exercise of suffrage. Under
the 1987 Constitution, Art. IV
❖ The Electoral Process

The holding of elections that allows the electorate

to vote for their representatives in govt does
not only make elections the centerpiece of the
political system, but an absolute necessity in a
modern democracy.
 Election – is an act of expressing a voter’s
choice among political candidates for a public
office.
❖ Registration of Voters

Registration – is the process of preparing the list

of qualified voters. This is necessary to prevent
fraudulent voting
 The existence of  Origin of Political
political parties is one Parties
of the manifestations 1. Theoretical
of a representative Assumptions – holds
democracy. that political parties:
 Political parties are a.) originated out of the
among the most combative instincts of
essential instruments individuals.
of a democratic gov’t. b.) the creation of parties
may be due to the
the temperament of a 2. Historical Origins
people & their -the 1st dev’t. was
attitudes towards marked by the
social environment. political power game
c.) formed as a result of bet the king & the
the belief of people parliament in
that a political party is England.
a rallying point in 3. Other Historical
support for a dynamic Factors
leader, especially in - These may refer to
his struggle for power certain conditions &
d.) inevitable in & problems prevailing
indispensable to a in a state.
democratic society.
 Elements of Political Party
1. Is an organization of men
united on common
political principles and
platforms;
2. Must put up candidates
during election time
3. Must have a party platform
or program of govt. which
it is ready to implement
when it shall have
wrested control of the
administration.
 Functions of a Political
Party
1. Political Parties educate the
people, especially the
uninitiated and
uninformed, on public
issues and qualifications of
candidates.
2. Pol. Par. Perform the basic
role of providing
leadership in govt.
3. Pol. Par. Serve as potential
sources of public policy
4. Act as an effective  The Party System
communication link - Is described in terms of
between the govt and party movement,
the people. operation of political
5. Perform the function of parties, and impact of
critic and fiscalizer the party system
6. Help promote unity - Under the 1987 Phil
among groups of people Constitution favors the
with different religions, development of the
creeds, languages, multi-party system.
customs and traditions, Although it does not
and racial origins prohibit a two-party
scheme to evolve.
  Disadvantages of the
Multi-party system
1. No one of the several
parties contending for
electoral support is able to
win the majority votes of
the people
2. Majority is badly needed in
the passage of legislation
3. Majority is possible only
by an alliance of several
parties
4. The govt becomes unstable
 Advantages
1. Under this system the
voters are allowed the
widest possible choice
among the pol. Parties
advocating different
policies.
2. There is a sharing in the
exercise of governmental
powers & responsibilities
among the parties forming
the coalition.
When there is withdrawal of 3. A coalition govt becomes
party support effective if the leaders of
several parties forming
the cabinet set aside party
polities infavor of the natl
interest
4. A bigger turnout of voters
5. The electoral process
becomes more democratic
if election of candidates
for the legislature is by
proportional
representation.
 Research on local political
parties
I. History of the Party
II. Party Organization
III. Recruitment of members
IV. Process of Nominating
candidates
V. Platform of Government
of the Party
VI. Party Finance
VII. Mobilization of the Party
1. Develop and awareness 3. Understand how the
how laws are made
help citizens contribute
in the law making
process and ensure
protection and welfare;
2. Gain knowledge about
the executive branch of
government and for the
enforcement of laws.
courts work and their
importance in
dispensing justice as a
part of the
empowerment process
of protecting and
respecting the rights
and privileges of the
individual and the
community.
 Historical Declaration of war,
Background: negotiation for peace,
➢ The Citizens the formulation of
Assembly & Council alliances, voting for
of Five Hundred of taxes & general
ancient Athens. legislative enactments
➢ The duty of drafting
measures to be
debated upon in the
Assembly
 Functions of Modern  Other functions:
Legislature a. The electoral function;
❖ Legislative power is b. Constitutional
the sovereign function;
authority to make c. Control of
laws, amend existing administration; and
laws, and repeal old
laws d. The function of
internal discipline
LAWMAKING – is the
primary function of
the legislature.
Stages of Stage of Second Reading
Legislative all the contents are
Enactment read including the
Bills or Resolutions signed by amendments of the
authors committee if any

Filed with the Secretary of the the bill is subject to

legislature debate & pertinent
the bill is given a First motions
Reading
the committee consideration of
stage amendments is in
order
Stage of Third Reading
If the bill is approved on
second reading
the vote shall be taken
immediately

Submission to the
Executive
for approval
➢ Doctrine of Separation  Executive – refers to
of powers the enforce the laws of the
Executive is a: State.
✓ Co-equal;  In 1987 Constitution
✓ Co-ordinate; and the powers of the
✓ Co-important branch President: chief
of the government executive,
with the Legislative & commander-in-chief,
Judiciary chief diplomat, voice
of the people, etc.
 ❖ The Presidential System ❖ The Parliamentary
 The essence: Chief System
Executive is ▪ There are two executives –
a. Ceremonial or symbolic the Ceremonial and the
head of state; real Executive.
b. Elected directly by the ▪ The British parliamentary
people or by an Electoral system has outstanding
College; features:
c. He can be impeached; a. Collective ministerial;
d. But the legislature cannot b. Fusion of executive &
shorten his term of office legislative powers;
c. Cabinet accountability to
Parliament; and
d. Party discipline
 Qualifications &
Terms of Office of
Executives the
Constitution provides
for it.
Judiciary is the branch of ➢ Judicial Review as the
government which power to review an
interprets the laws of act of the legislature,
the State. or that of the
➢ Judicial Independence executive & compared
is protected by the it with the
Constitution Constitution.
➢ The Judiciary as ➢ Qualifications &
Enforcer of the Bill of Tenure of Office –
Rights provided in the
Constitution.
➢ Security of tenure – it
is guaranteed by the
judicial independence.
➢ The Role of an
Impartial Judge.