POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
STUDY GUIDE / SUMMARY NOTES
I. Meaning and Roots of Politics
Politics comes from the Greek word polis (city-state)
Polites – citizens
Politikos – affairs of the state / public officials
Politics is the art and science of government and decision-making
in society.
II. Governance and Authority
Good Governance
Key characteristics:
Transparency – people can access information
Participation – citizens take part in decision-making
Accountability, rule of law, responsiveness
Authority
Authority – the right to give orders and be obeyed
Types of Authority:
Traditional authority – based on customs and traditions
Charismatic authority – based on personality or charm
Rational-legal authority – based on laws and rules
Legitimacy
When people believe leaders have the rightful power to rule
Laws are obeyed because authority is accepted
III. Sovereignty
Sovereignty – supreme power of the state to rule itself
Types:
Internal sovereignty – control over people and territory
External sovereignty – freedom from control by other states
Key traits:
Supreme
Indivisible
Permanent
IV. Nature of Politics
Politics involves conflict and disagreement
Disputes are resolved through:
o Negotiation
o Compromise
o Conciliation
Politics does not rely on force, especially in democratic societies
V. Political Ideologies
Conservatism
Founded by Edmund Burke
Values tradition and stability
Avoids drastic or sudden change
Liberalism
Emphasizes individual rights and freedom
Supports freedom of thought, speech, and expression
Key thinker: John Stuart Mill (On Liberty)
Marxism
Focuses on class struggle between:
o Bourgeoisie (owners)
o Proletariat (workers)
Believes revolution is needed to change oppressive systems
Alienation – feeling of being disconnected or powerless in society
Anarchism
Rejects oppressive authority and hierarchy
Promotes cooperation, equality, and peaceful coexistence
Does not mean chaos
VI. State and Territory
Territory – land, waters, and airspace under state control
Modes of acquiring territory:
o Conquest – taking land by force
o Cession, Discovery, Prescription
States must protect territorial integrity (e.g., maritime zones)
VII. Nation, Ethnic Groups, and Identity
Nation – people united by shared identity, history, and culture
Can exist despite cultural diversity
Indigenous Peoples (IPs) – original inhabitants of the Philippines
Muslim communities contribute to national identity through rich history
and traditions
VIII. Indigenous Peoples’ Rights
Protected under IPRA Law (Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act)
IPs have rights to:
o Ancestral domains
o Culture and self-governance
Ancestral lands cannot be taken without consent
IX. The Philippine Government
Three Branches of Government
1. Legislative Branch
o Makes laws
o Congress (Senate & House of Representatives)
2. Executive Branch
o Enforces laws
o President and Vice President
3. Judicial Branch
o Interprets laws
o Can declare laws unconstitutional
X. Checks and Balances
Prevents abuse of power
Examples:
o President vetoes a bill
o Judiciary reviews laws
o Congress overrides veto
XI. Constitutional Principles
The Philippines:
o Renounces war
o Promotes peace
o Pursues freedom from nuclear weapons
Separation of powers ensures balance and protection of rights