POL SCI 4 - ELECTIVE 4

WORKSHEET
ATTY. EXZIE G. CALUBAYAN

NAME: KIKUCHI, Mika

YEAR AND COURSE: 4CPL-AB POLITICAL SCIENCE

CRITICAL PAPER 3 - POLITICAL DYNASTY

The Philippines has been struggling with political dynasties and legacy candidates for a

long time. Two crucial factors contribute to this situation: Filipino voters' deeply ingrained

personalistic tendencies and the absence of a stable political party system. Personalistic

tendencies, such as charisma, trustworthiness, and personal connections, frequently precede

political platforms or ideologies. The "pakikisama" culture, which prioritizes harmony and

conflict avoidance, often results in support being influenced by personal relationships rather

than objective evaluations.

Political dynasties exploit this vulnerability by leveraging their well-established name

recognition, extensive networks, and a compelling legacy narrative that strikes a chord with

voters. They take advantage of personalistic voting tendencies by exploiting the weaknesses of

the Philippine party system. Political parties often struggle to establish strong ideological

foundations or articulate clear policy platforms, hindering their ability to maintain long-term

voter loyalty. This leads to party identities that lack strength and frequent changes in alliances.
To break this cycle, a comprehensive strategy is necessary. A stable party system is crucial in

preventing the rise of dynastic politics, as it allows voters to make informed choices based on

policies and not just familiar names and personalities. Underpowered parties need the ability to

put up a strong fight and struggle to present persuasive policy-based platforms that could sway

voters from established family names and personal stories. Public education initiatives that

prioritize critical thinking and informed voting have the potential to empower citizens to look

beyond personal connections and carefully assess the platforms of candidates. Enhancing

political parties and advocating for campaigns centered on ideology can provide voters with

distinct choices rooted in policy and vision. It is essential to consider the influence of money in

politics and the issue of vote-buying practices.

Overall, addressing the issue of political dynasties necessitates a collaborative approach

involving multiple stakeholders. Thus, grasping the relationship between personalistic

tendencies and the weak party system can contribute to better-informed conversations about

political reform and the pursuit of a more representative democracy.

REFERENCES:

Bueza, M. (2019, May 11). Party switching: ‘Perversion’ of political system. RAPPLER.

https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/229943-party-switching-perversion-of-p

olitical-system/

Wong, A. C. (2022, February 7). Philippine elections and the politics behind it. Lowy Institute.

https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/philippine-elections-politics-behind-it