Senior High School

Philippine Politics and

Governance
Quarter 1 - Module 2:
Political Ideologies
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Philippine Politics and Governance – Senior High School

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Quarter 1 - Module 2: Political Ideologies
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Philippine Politics and

Governance
Quarter 1- Module 2:
Political Ideologies
Icons of this Module

What I Need to This part contains learning objectives that

Know are set for you to learn as you go along the
module.

What I know This is an assessment as to your level of

knowledge to the subject matter at hand,
meant specifically to gauge prior related
knowledge
What’s In This part connects previous lesson with that
of the current one.

What’s New An introduction of the new lesson through

various activities, before it will be presented
to you

What is It These are discussions of the activities as a

way to deepen your discovery and under-
standing of the concept.

What’s More These are follow-up activities that are in-

tended for you to practice further in order to
master the competencies.

What I Have Activities designed to process what you

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case your skills and knowledge gained, and
applied into real-life concerns and situations.
 Table Of Contents
PAGE

What I Need to Know ………………………………………………………………… 1

How to Learn from this Module…………………………………………… … … …. 2

Lesson 1 – The Concept and Views of Politics and its Connection to Political
Science

What I Know…………………………………………………...........… 3
What’s New …………………………………………………………… 5
What Is It…………………………………………………….…………. 5
What’s More…………………………………………………………… 13
What I Have Learned………………………………………………… 14
What I Can Do………………………………………………………… 15
Lesson 2 – The relationship of Political Ideologies and its impact on the social
and political life of Filipinos

What I Know………………………………………………………..….. 16
What’s In……………………………………………………………….. 16
What’s New …………………………………………………………… 17
What Is It………………………………………………………………. 18
What’s More…………………………………………………………… 20
What I Have Learned………………………………………………… 21
What I Can Do………………………………………………………… 21
Assessment: (Post-Test)…………………………………………………………….. 22
Key Answer…………………………………………………………………………… 23

References……………………………………………………………………………. 24
 What I Need To Know

Welcome to the Avenue of Politics and Governance Learners!

You have learned in the previous module that politics is a social activity
through which people make and amend the general rules that guide their
political life. As a phenomenon, politics is studied using different theoretical
perspectives. The connection between political theory and practice is
established by ideologies, among many others.
In this module, the learners will demonstrate an understanding of the
various aspects of political ideologies, . They shall be able to explain the basic
tenets of major political ideologies and analyze its influence in building a new
state. The learners

Module Content:

This module is subjected to discuss namely:

● Lesson 1 – Basic Principles of Major Political Ideologies
● Lesson 2 – The relationship of Political Ideologies and its impact on
the social and political life of Filipinos

Most Essential Learning Competencies:

After going through this module, you are expected to:
1. identify the basic tenets of major political ideologies (i.e., liberalism,
socialism, conservatism, etc.) (HUMSS_PG12-Ib-c-6)
2. differentiate the political ideologies (HUMSS_PG12-Ib-c-7)
3. examine the relationship between political ideologies and configurations of
political communities (HUMSS_PG12-Ib-c-8)
4. analyze how political ideologies impact on the social and political life of
Filipino (HUMSS_PG12-Ib-c-10).

1
How to Learn from this Module:
Before starting the module, you may set aside other tasks that will disturb you
while enjoying the lessons. Read the simple instructions below to successfully
enjoy the objectives of this kit. Have fun!

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part
of the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the
exercises.

2. Follow carefully all the contents and instructions indicated

in every page of this module.

3. Write on your notebook the concepts about the lessons.

Writing enhances learning, that is important to develop
and keep in mind.

4. Let your facilitator/guardian assess your answers using

the answer key card.

5. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
6. Analyze conceptually the posttest and apply what you
have learned.

7. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you

are through with it.

8. Enjoy studying!

If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do

not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.
We hope that through this material, you will experience
meaningful learning and gain deep understanding of the
relevant competencies. You can do it!

2
 Lesson Basic Principles of Major
1 Political Ideologies

What I Need To Know

A political ideology is a set of ethical ideas, principles, doctrines, myths or

symbols of a social movement, institution, class or large group that explains how
society should work and offers some political and cultural scheme for social order.

Following Aristotle’s contention that man is by nature a political animal, all

individuals are, in essence, political thinkers. Have you heard your parents express
their opinions on an issue of political relevance? How about you? Have you not
noticed that individuals use political ideas and concepts when they share their
opinions or whenever they speak their mind? This post explores these ideas from the
perspective of major political ideologies.

What Is It

POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES

The term “ideology was conceived in 1796 by French philosopher Destutt de

Tracy to refer to a new science that endeavored to uncover origins of conscious
thought and ideas. He called this “science of ideas” ideologie. It was his hope that
ideology would eventually become an established science like zoology and biology
(Heywood, 2003).

Today ideology could mean different things to different people. Sociologist

Peter Braham (2013) stresses this point by saying that aside from its neutral
definition of being a set of more or less consistent beliefs, ideology is also “widely
used…to describe a cluster of beliefs not only judged false or distorted, but also as
deliberately concealing some hidden interest.”

Simply put, ideology is a set of related ideas or systematic group of concepts

and beliefs about culture, society, and human life. Often, ideologies dictate how
societies should be structured. One example is the Marxist ideology, which
advocates a classless society.

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 To some people, however, ideology connotes ideas that spread false
consciousness to the exploited and oppressed. Ideology can also mean “an officially
sanctioned set of ideas used to legitimize a political system or regime” and “an all-
embracing political doctrine that claims a monopoly of truth.”

Appropriately, an ideology that pertains to the conduct of government is called

a political ideology. Political ideology is a more or less coherent set of ideas that
provides a basis for organized political action, whether the ideas are intended to
preserve, modify, or overthrow the existing power structure (Heywood, 2003).

In social studies, a political ideology is a certain set of ethical ideals,

principles, doctrines, myths or symbols of a social movement, institution, class or
large group that explains how society should work and offers some political and
cultural blueprint for a certain social order. A political ideology largely concerns itself
with how to allocate power and to what ends it should be used. Some political parties
follow a certain ideology very closely while others may take broad inspiration from a
group of related ideologies without specifically embracing any one of them. The
popularity of an ideology is in part due to the influence of moral entrepreneurs, who
sometimes act in their own interests. Political ideologies have two dimensions: (1)
goals: how society should be organized; and (2) methods: the most appropriate way
to achieve this goal.

An ideology is a collection of ideas. Typically, each ideology contains certain

ideas on what it considers to be the best form of government (e.g. autocracy or
democracy) and the best economic system (e.g. capitalism or socialism). The same
word is sometimes used to identify both an ideology and one of its main ideas. For
instance, socialism may refer to an economic system, or it may refer to an ideology
which supports that economic system. The same term may also be used to refer to
multiple ideologies and that is why political scientists try to find consensus definitions
for these terms. For example, while the terms have been conflated at times,
communism has come in common parlance and in academics to refer to Soviet-type
regimes and Marxist–Leninist ideologies, whereas socialism has come to refer to a
wider range of differing ideologies which are most often distinct from Marxism–
Leninism.

Political Ideologies are not impervious to change. They are evolving sets of
ideas that are combined in a variety of ways to guide, inspire, or goad people to
political action.

CHARACTERISTICS AND RELEVANCE OF POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES

The following are the characteristics of a political ideology (Heywood, 2003):

1. It offers an account of the existing order, often in the form of a worldview;

2. It provides a model of a desired future, a vision of a good society; and

3. It outlines how political change can and should be brought about.

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 From the abovementioned characteristics, it could be seen that political
ideologies are both descriptive and prescriptive. They allow for positive and
normative analysis of socio-political conditions. Such conditions are analyzed vis-à-
vis beliefs and justifications for the ideology which lays down instructions or
strategies for achieving the desired political objectives.

Ideologies differ greatly as to the extent to which they satisfy the above-listed
characteristics. Specifically, they differ in how complex, consistent, and flexible they
are. Some ideologies are quite simple while others are somewhat complex. In some
ideologies, there may be or may arise ideas that conflict with one another. These
may be rectified as time goes by, or intensify and lead to different schools of thought
within the ideology. Finally, some ideologies are marked by having absolute answers
to some questions, while others are more flexible.

The above observations notwithstanding, political ideologies undoubtedly

have a great impact on our personal and political views.

DIFFERENT POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES

Liberalism

Liberalism emerged as a result of the breakdown

of feudalism and the development, in its stead, of a
capitalist society.

It is a political ideology that gives importance to the

fulfillment of the individual through the satisfaction of
his interests. This contemplates the establishment of a
society in which such aspirations could be realized.
https://www.d.umn.edu/cla/faculty/jhlin/ 4111/Hobbes/Thomas%20Hobbes.htm

Liberals believe that human beings are

primarily creatures equipped with reason. Individuals are born equal and should
have equal opportunities to realize their goals. Each individual should, therefore, be
allowed the greatest latitude of freedom. Naturally, liberals support the principle of
meritocracy, where individuals are recognized and rewarded according to their talent
and performance.

Out of liberalism grow the system of liberal democracy. Consistent with the
freedoms accorded to individuals, liberal democracy is built around the twin values of
consent and constitutionalism. Consent implies freedom of choice. Constitutionalism,
on the other hand, means adherence, and not merely lip service, to rule of law.
There is observance of the checks and balance principle, and respect for human
rights. The primacy of consent and constitutionalism guarantees a society marked by
diversity and pluralism. Because of society’s adherence to democracy, the political
regime gives importance to free competitive elections and universal adult suffrage.
The regime of democracy respects freedom of speech and of the press, freedom of

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political association, and individual political liberties and civil rights as well (Magno
1988, citing Cardoso as quoted in Roberts 1985).

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) was an English philosopher who tutored King

Charles II of England. He wrote the book Leviathan (1651) wherein he discussed the
“social contract theory,” which has served as a pillar of Western liberal philosophy.

In his ideal world, Hobbes conceived of an immensely powerful ruler called

the “Leviathan.” This leader represents the state and can, with a tight grip on power,
keep dissent under check. The Leviathan’s rise to power was occasioned by the
social contract between the people and the state wherein the people gave up the
right to kill and steal in order to escape from the chaos that characterized human life
before the establishment of government. The social contract, or agreement, ensured
the best possible state with effective laws and uncompromising justice.

Conservatism

Conservative ideas first emerged in the late 18 th

century and early 19th century. They arose as a
reaction to the frenetic pace of economic and political
change during the French Revolution. In this sense,
conservatism harked back to the ancient regime. It
stood in defense of an increasingly embattled
traditional social order.

Conservatism is defined by the desire to preserve

institutions and is reflected in a resistance to, or at
least suspicion of, change. For the conservatives,
tradition reflects the accumulated wisdom of the past,
https://thegreatthinkers.org/burke as manifested in the practices that have endured the
test of time.

In the estimation of conservatives, a society should be considered in its

entirety. Such a view recognizes that natural necessity gave rise to institutions and
values. The fragile “fabric of society” can be protected by preserving these
institutions and values. To illustrate, the basis of social cohesion is authority. This
provides people with a sense of who they are and what is expected of them. Without
authority, however, society will break down. Hence, instead of basing political action
on abstract principles, such as freedom, equality, and justice, conservatives believe
that reliance must be placed on experience and history.

Edmund Burke (1729-97), a Dublin-born UK statesman and political theorist,

is the father of modern Anglo-American conservatism. Burke’s reputation grew
through a series of works, including the Reflection on the Revolution in France
(1790), which were critical of the French Revolution.

Burke held the notion that wisdom is mainly the result of experience, tradition,
and history. He blamed the French monarchy for what befell it, believing that it

6
caused its own downfall because it did not see that there was a need to adapt to the
demands of the times in order to conserve. He had an unflattering view of
government: it could stop evil but does not always promote what is good. According
to Burke, market forces are part of the natural law.

Socialism

Socialism was an offshoot of the grievances against industrial capitalism. The

ideology initially gave voice to resistance to the proliferation of factories which
sidelined the artisans and craftsmen. Soon, however, it advocated the concerns and
expressed the fears of a growing industrial working class.

Socialism is an ideology that stands in opposition to capitalism and proposes

an alternative which is more humane and equitable. In capitalism, an individual rises
according to ability. There is competition. Unfortunately, this produces divisions in
society: some become rich, while most struggle to survive and remain poor. The goal
of socialism is to minimize or abolish these class divisions. Because socialists view
human beings as social creatures who are bound by a common humanity,
cooperation is preferred to competition, and collectivism is favored over
individualism. Equality therefore characterizes socialism.

John Stuart Mill (1806-73) was an English Philosopher, economist, and

politician. His books, On Liberty (1859), Considerations on Representative
Government (1861), and The Subjection of Women (1869), exerted a great influence
on the development of liberal thought. Mill believed in a limited government. He
thought, however, that there could be interference with the liberties of an individual to
ensure the protection of the members of society.

Mill, like John Locke, held the position that

government can control individual behavior only when
such behavior threatens to physically harm other
members of society. He feared the tyranny of majority
opinion and social norms, insisting on drawing the line
between public authority and private life. In other
words, government cannot interfere with how people
live their lives, except to prevent damage or injury to
other people. Subject to the same limitation, freedom of
speech and expression must be unhampered in a
society of educated individuals.
John Stuart Mill - Utilitarianism, Philosophy & Books - Biography

Anarchism

Anarchism is an ideology that is based on the belief that government and laws
are not necessary. Political authority in whatever form is undesirable and unwanted.
The state is evil because it exercises coercive authority, which violates the freedom
and equality of individuals. Anarchists long for unbridled personal autonomy. The

7
state and its accompanying institutions of government and law; however, stand in the
way of such freedom. Thus, there should be no government or law which are
institutions of control preventing individuals from attaining personal autonomy.

Although they disdain political order, anarchists entertain optimistic

assumptions about human nature. Thus, they place considerable faith in natural
order and spontaneous social harmony and believe that the cause of all disorder is
the government itself. This is ironical, considering that the anarchists have led violent
street demonstrations against the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund
since 1999.

Anarchists prefer a stateless society in which free individuals take charge of

their own affairs through voluntary agreement and cooperation. The political theory
arose from a combination of two rival traditions – socialist communitarianism and
liberal individualism. Anarchism can thus be considered as the junction between
socialism and liberalism.

One thing is settled with regard to anarchism: although it has inspired

movements around the world, no anarchist party has ever succeeded in winning
power on a national level.

William Goodwin (1756-1836) is regarded as the

founder of philosophical anarchism. He believed that
the government promoted ignorance and dependence
and is a corrupting force in a society which the
proliferation of knowledge and human understanding
will render irrelevant and powerless. He also
prophesied that personal morality will dislodge politics,
and mind will dominate matter in such a way that
individuals will be able to control illness, eliminate
ageing, and become immortal.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/William-Godwin

Communism

Communism may be described as a socio-economic structure which aims to

establish a society that is classless, egalitarian, and stateless.

It is also defined as a political ideology based on common ownership. Equality

and fairness is the principal concern of communism. In reality, a group of people
exercises power and decides the course of action in a communist country. This
group, which is called the ruling elite, decides what activities are to be undertaken by
the public. In exercising its power, the ruling elite invariably interferes with human
activity. Such interference is so pervasive that people cannot criticize the ruling elite
without risking prosecution and imprisonment for treason and other high crimes.

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 Communism advocates the organization of communes and common
ownership of wealth, i.e., the means of production belong to the community or the
government. There is no privately owned property. The abolition of private property
is the cornerstone of the communist ideology, as expressed by Karl Marx in his
Communist Manifesto.

Communism has two versions: the model envisioned by Karl Marx

(1818-83) and Friedrich Engels (1820-1895) and the other, the one being practiced
by communist parties. The ideal model of Marx and Engels sees a future society
where before full communism is attained, there would be a transitory ‘socialist’ stage
of development characterized by the revolutionary dictatorship of the proletariat (the
workers or working class). Marx and Engels predicted that this would occur after
capitalism is overthrown.

Communism as an Ideological Movement

Communist theory holds that economics prevails over other historical factors
in shaping the society. Communists prefer revolution to reform. They identify the
proletariat as the revolutionary class, and represent that the communist party is at
the forefront of the struggle of the working class. Thus, they voice support for
socialist or proletarian internationalism. Because of their belief that the tools of
production should be commonly the responsibility of collectives or communes.
Nowadays, perhaps only Cuba and North Korea adhere to collectivization, as shown
by their state farms and factories. While some form of private ownership is allowed
among Cubans, their government has not taken the path of Russia and China.

Marxism

Marxism provides the most comprehensive

critique of liberalism. Marx and Engels, who were
political theorists, economic historians, and
revolutionary organizers, devised a profound and
comprehensive analysis of capitalist economics and
liberal society, borrowing from the concepts of Adam
Smith and David Ricardo, who were classical
economists. From this fusion of ideas, the Marxist
theory of society known as dialectical materialism was
born.
https://www.biography.com/scholar/karl-marx

Conflict is the recurrent theme of dialectical materialism. The conflict between

the forces of production (raw materials, human labor, capital equipment, tools, and
land) and the relations of production (laws and institutions involved in the production
and distribution of goods and services) is merely a manifestation of class struggles.
These class struggles give rise to economic and social revolutions.

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Fascism

Fascism is a political ideology which adheres to the maxim of strength through

unity and desires an organically unified national community. The community or social
group absorbs individual identity. The individual is literally nothing.

The new man conceived by fascism is a hero. Duty, honor, and self sacrifice
motivate him. He displays absolute obedience to a supreme leader and is ready to
sacrifice his life for his nation or race. Such a man appears to be a departure from
the ideas and values that have influenced Western political thought. Struggle,
leadership, power, heroism, and war discard such values, such as rationalism,
progress, freedom, and equality. In other words, fascism may be described by what it
opposes. It is anti-rational, anti-liberal, anti-conservative, anti-capitalist, anti-
bourgeois, anti-communist, etc. Fascists believe exactly the opposite: freedom is
complete submission, democracy is dictatorship, progress means constant struggle
and war, and creation implies destruction.

Adolf Hitler (1889-1945), an Austrian, established a one party dictatorship in

Germany. Hitler’s world view, outlined in Mein Kampf (1925), attempts to fuse
expansionist German nationalism and virulent anti-Semitism into a theory of history
wherein there is an endless battle between the Germans and the Jews.

The Germans, not surprisingly, represent the

forces of good. On the other hand, the Jews stand for
the forces of evil. Hitler’s policies directly ignited the
Second World War and caused the Holocaust. Even
now, there are those who adhere to his ideology.
“Neo-nazis.” As they are called, have an irrational
hatred for Jews and immigrants. Aside from being
xenophobic, they are often in the news for committing
acts of violence against people of other color.
https://www.britannica.com/list/9-things-you-might-not-know-about-adolf-hitle

Femism

Feminist theories are diverse, but their unifying feature is a common desire to
enhance the social role of women in whatever way possible. Feminism has the
following underlying themes: society is characterized by sexual or gender inequality
and the structure of male power can and should be overturned.

Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-97) was a UK theorist

and feminist. The democratic radicalism of Jean
Jacques Rosseau deeply influenced her. Even about
fifty years before the emergence of the female-suffrage
movement, she had already conceived of the first
systematic feminist critique.

10
 Rosseau was not her only influence. Locke’s liberalism can be felt in her most
important work, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792). The work advocated
equal rights for women, especially the right to education, based on the idea of
‘personhood.’
100 best nonfiction books: No 76 – A Vindication of the Rights of Woman by Mary Wollstonecraft (1792) | Mary Wollstonecraft | The Guardian

11
 What I Have Learned

Key Points

 The term “ideology” was conceived in 1796 by the French philosopher

Destutt de Tracy to refer to a new science that endeavored to uncover
the origins of conscious thought and ideas.
 Political Ideology pertains to a coherent set of ideas that provides a
basis for organized political action.
 Political ideologies are both descriptive and prescriptive, they provide
lenses for positive and normative analysis of socio-political conditions.
 Among the different political ideologies are liberalism, conservatism,
socialism, communism, Marxism, fascism, anarchism, and feminism.

Lesson The Relationship Of Political

Ideologies And Its Impact On The
2 Social And Political Life Of Filipino

What I Know
 This activity will enable you to assess your prior knowledge from the topic that
will be discussed in this lesson.
Directions: Provide a simple definition of the following terms/concepts.

1. Ideology - ____________________________________________________
2. liberalism - ___________________________________________________
3. socialism - ____________________________________________________
4. Marxism - ____________________________________________________
5. Feminism - ___________________________________________________

What Is It

The above activity has something to do with …

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POLITICAL IDEOLOGY AND POLITICAL

COMMUNITY
The political ideology of a state inevitably shapes the configuration of the
political community. This occurs because the form of government reflects the ideals
advocated by the political ideology. In other words, a state would certainly not have
institutions which do not adhere to its beliefs. It would be incongruous for a
democratic nation advocating liberal ideas to have an authoritarian government or a
dictatorship. Conversely, it would be preposterous for a communist nation to have a
multi-party system where there are free elections and the officials of government are
elected by popular vote.
It does not mean, however, that a political ideology is necessarily immutable.
It has to adopt to the necessities of the times. An ideology should be malleable to
survive and prevail. After all, it is just a set of coherent ideas that serve as the
blueprint for political action. For example, China has astutely retained its one-party
system while at the same time adopting some features of capitalism. This bold step
has transformed the country into an economic powerhouse: it is now one of the
leaders on the world stage (Ramos, 2016).

THE IMPACT OF VALUES ON POLITICAL COMMUNITY

It is interesting to study how the political community in the Philippines

manages itself. The structure is simple. On the one hand, we have the political
leaders who run the government. Under these elective officials are the civil servants:
the appointive officials and employees who make the huge government machinery
work. On the other hand, we have the constituents of these elective officials, the
voters, their families, and the non-voters. Since all ideas are shaped by societal
values, the interaction among these groups is influenced by such Filipino traits as
pakikisama and utang na loob. These values sometimes impact negatively on the
operations of government. It would be better if we have more of delicadeza,
integrity, and devotion to public service, rather than the often abused pakikisama and
utang na loob. If the Philippines is run like hell by politicians whom we vote into
public office, it is to some extent because of some of these values which we still hold
dear.

It is true that election is a way to remove inefficient and corrupt elective

officials in the government. Filipinos, however, have not yet looked beyond their
personal interests and employed suffrage as a political tool to choose the best
leaders for the country.

HOW POLITICAL IDEOLOGY AFFECTS THE LIFE OF THE EVERYDAY FILIPINO

The ideologies espoused by the succession of Philippine presidents have had

varying effects on the social and political lives of Filipinos. After the country regained
its independence in 1945, however, the same rigid structures resurfaced: the elite
reasserted their dominance of the economy and politics

The early years after the Second World War saw a largely destroyed local
economy dependent on American aid and Japanese reparations. Philippine
presidents then were rabidly pro-American, and so were many Filipinos. We lapped
up everything “stateside,” and we were the “Americans’ little brown brothers.” The
political ideology hewed close to the American model. We maintained the
presidential form of government and two parties, the Nacionalista and liberal parties
slugged it out at the hustings for seats at the two-chamber Congress. Under the re-
emergent democratic system, the patrimonial character of the government remained.
Many things depended on personal considerations and connections, even with the
growth of bureaucracy.

The election of Ferdinand Marcos as the President (1965-1985) was a turning

point in the country’s history. Taking advantage of the turmoil in the 1970s (a great
part of which was attributed to his machinations), Marcos launched a new ideology
that advocated a “revolution from the center,” meaning the radical change would
come from the top of the political leadership. This was a departure from the standard
notion that a revolution is launched by the masses. He crafted the “New Society”
(“Bagong Lipunan” in the vernacular) as a showcase for his ideas, and he
experimented with a mixed presidential and parliamentary system. There was a
president (Marcos) elected by popular vote, and there was a prime minister elected
by the parliament. The parliament, called the Batasang Pambansa, replaced
Congress. The new legislature was in more ways than one a rubber-stamp
parliament, although it grudgingly allowed for a small opposition bloc to exist. Marcos
was responsible for creating the “barangays” as a political unit to teach out to the
masses.

As an authoritarian leader, Marcos himself was the lawmaker. He issued

presidential decrees, many of which were unpublished. He tried to effect social
change through land reform by issuing Presidential Decree No. 27. His wife Imelda,
did her part, establishing such institutions like the Heart Center, the Lung Center,
and the Kidney Center. She was active on the cultural front, building edifices such as
the Cultural Center and the Film Center. It was also during this time that the
Philippines concentrated on the export of Filipino labor as a tool to eradicate poverty
and unemployment, thanks to Blas F. Ople, the country’s labor minister at the time.
Nevertheless, the unequal social structures remained. Poverty remained a problem.

Corazon Aquino, who replaced Marcos after he was deposed, returned the
country to the path of liberal democracy. She acted as the legislator when the
Freedom Constitution was in effect. It was the time when the political institution of
the country was being rebuilt. Soon, the 1987 Constitution replaced the Freedom
Constitution. The new charter was a reaction to the excesses of the Marcos regime,
explaining why it is a very long document, unlike typical constitutions.

The re-democratization brought about many problems, or exposed those

simmering below the surface. On the political level, there is a highly politicized
military, the persistence of elite-dominated, patronage-based political party system,
and rival claims for autonomy in the South (See Magno, 1988). On the economic
level, poverty and unemployment persist. There is the foreign debt burden and
inflation to contend with. On the social level, unequal social structures remain.
Filipinos also lack a cultural identity (Id.).

References

Ramos, Renan E.Philippine Politics and Governance.Vibal Group, Inc.2016

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