One of the important reasons why we compare states is to widen options in the manner of governing our own polity, or to suggest solutions to the problems of others.
For this online discussion, your task is to provide in the comments by providing a lesson for Philippine development from comparing two states from units 5, 6, and 7.
Analysis can either be: post-behavioral analysis of politics; or a neo-institutional analysis of government.
Sample compare governments of South Africa and Nigeria, and provide a neo-institutional lesson for the Philippines.
Online classroom of Ronald Castillo y Maglaqui, Professor of Political Science at the University of Santo Tomas - Faculty of Arts and Letters. But for the time being, starting 2022, this blog serves as a student's public notebook of thoughts while he undertakes his international PhD in Asia Pacific Studies at National Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan. Reach him through rmcastillo@ust.edu.ph
CRUZ, MARY ABIGAIL
ReplyDeleteLast month, Zamboanga city, is bombarded with an armed insurgency from MNLF or Moro National Liberation Front which caused an upheaval not only politically but also socially with a lot of residents affected by the said event. According to (Tiglao, 2013), if it not for the incompetence of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, such dilemma would have been prevented. So, in order to prevent another insurgency, the Philippine military must follow the footsteps of the Egyptian and Algerian military. Being both bombarded by Islamist insurgencies, the two countries had no other choice but to solve this problems using their military unit and thus to strengthen their military force. Although Algeria’s combat capabilities in defense of the country has remained untested, the Egyptian Armed Forces are the largest in Africa, and the Middle East, and is the 10th most powerful in the world, consisting of the Egyptian Army, Egyptian Navy, Egyptian Air Force and Egyptian Air Defense Command. Egypt even provides military assistance and training to the region in order to bolster stability and moderation. Nevertheless, Algerian military is not to be left out with its ability to weaken guerilla warfare instigated by Islamist resistance and to fight against the al-Quaida in the Islamic Maghreb (CIA, 2006). As such, Philippines must enhance its military force as exemplified by Algeria and Egypt.
References:
CIA. (2006). CIA World Factbook. New York: Skyhorse Publishing.
Tiglao, R. (2013, September 15). Incompetence and politicking in Zamboanga. Retrieved from Trigger: http://www.trigger.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1068:incompetence-and-politicking-in-zamboanga&catid=64:test&Itemid=80
MARAGAY, DAVE ALEXANDER L.
ReplyDelete“In 1990, the ban on the ANC and other social-political movements was lifted, and political prisoners including Nelson Mandela were released by de Klerk’s government (Agupusi, 2011).” “The Islamists in opposition authoritarian rule in Syria were brutally repressed and deactivated in 1982...that violent episode of repression seriously dampened opposition challenges from Islamists and any other opposition group (King, 2007).” Both MENA countries’ opposition experience oppression by the government’s party; on South Africa there is a racial discrimination with the blacks wherein the minority population of white controls all power in the government. On the other hand, Syria experience authoritarianism by the minority group with peasant ties, the Alawi, on making laws that can oppress the opposition.
On the current Philippine situation, citizens of the country are being abused by the government’s corruption, misuse of funds, and perpetuation of power in order to manipulate the money of the people. Filipino citizens demand punishment to the government officials who are included on the misuse of PDAF issue. “Tan said, “We need to be informed. You cannot say you’re anti-pork and not know about it.” (Jesus, 2013).”
It is both the citizens/opposition versus the government situation on the said countries and in order to solve this kind of problem there should be replacement of government officials and an active participation of the citizens in the government.
If citizens are being abused/oppressed, by corruption, violence, coercion, racial discrimination, and the likes, then citizens should react or do something against the government because they are the ones who should be followed by the government and citizens should not be afraid to their government. People pay taxes to the government; in exchange the government should secure the interests of the people.
Philippines must increase its citizen’s participation in the government and the government should be transparent on what it does in order to avoid abuse of power. People must act immediately to their government who abuses their power to perpetuate themselves in office and the one that use their power to gain economic access.
Works Cited
Agupusi, P. (2011). Trajectories of Power Relations in Post-Apartheid South Africa . The Open Area Studies Journal , 32-40.
Jesus, J. L. (2013, October 3). Million People March 2 organizers urge public to take part in anti-pork protest. Retrieved October 4, 2013, from The Philippine Daily Inquirer: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/499979/million-people-march-2-organizers-urge-public-to-take-part-in-anti-pork-protest
King, S. J. (2007). Sustaining Authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa. Political Science Quarterly , Vol. 122, No. 3 , 433-459.
ALONZO, Carol Anne A.
ReplyDelete3POL2
This will be a comparison of the government of two countries from Unit 5 of the syllabus particularly, Tunisia and Algeria. Considering these two neighboring countries, there is a strengthened bilateral cooperation between them. These two countries are known to be united with one another and they have already established good working relationship as well. Likewise, both countries are aiming to come up with a stable government that will last throughout the years. With the help of other political agencies, they are struggling to maintain and at the same time improve the cooperation between them for this will help them progress in terms of political aspect. Political stability is one of the things that makes these two countries ally with one another for it will be beneficial for both parties.
A lesson that could be implied into the Philippine setting is to come up with better political settlements or negotiations with other institutions around the world. Through this, the connections that the Philippine government have will flourish even more. With the partnership or the relationship that will be established, the people will eventually be united as one and at the same aim for something that will be advantageous for both them. Creating ties between other political institutions will likewise help the Philippine government to increase their stand or position in the global and international arena.
REFERENCE:
Alaouis, A. (2013, September). Middle East Monitor. Are Algeria and Tunisia holding friendly talks? Retrieved From: http://www.middleeastmonitor.com/articles/africa/7428-are-algeria-and-tunisia-holding-friendly-talks-
GONZALEZ, Jed Nathaniel M.
ReplyDelete"Religion and Politics have been inextricably interrelated since the dawn of human culture and civilization (Aronoff, 1984)." This two components of human life are almost always tried to be kept separate, but that is never the case. In countries such as Syria and Nigeria, religion plays a key role in politics. What these two countries have common is that Muslims and Islam have great impact in their politics. Muslims, in both states, try to gain greater political participation in their governments, like Islamist opposition of Syria's authoritarian regime (King, 2007) and increasing political involvement of Nigeria (Wakili, 2009).
Muslims of the Philippines fight for the same cause. For years, they have struggled to be autonomous and resorted to arms to achieve such ends. This could have been prevented if only these Filipino Muslims have had a greater voice inside the government. Dominance of politicians from Luzon and Visayas in politics have generally excluded these Muslims in political affairs. By enhancing and increasing such political involvement of such could prevent armed conflicts, such as what transpired recently in Zamboanga. In order for the Philippines to be true to what it claims to be -- a democracy -- let it give these people a greater voice to even out the political "playing field."
Aronoff, M. (1984). Religion and Politics. Transaction Publishers.
King, S. J. (2007). Sustaining Authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa. Political Science Quarterly , Vol. 122, No. 3 , 433-459.
Wakili, H. (2009). Islam and the Political Arena in Nigeria: The Ulama and the 2007 Elections. Institute for the Study of Islamic Thought in Africa Working Papers Series.
Soliman, Ylliza Nicole J.
ReplyDelete3POL2
Institutions have played a very important role in each of the society. Without them, governing a state would not be as easy as of today. Power is exercised by the participation of various individuals “within the decision making process… the exclusion of certain participants and issues” (Bachrach and Baratz, 2011). This is where the institutions came in. The countries Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia and Syria have the same political experience. Before 1990’s, there is a globalization occurred in each of the countries. They focus on the peasants and the presence of a single-party was supported by the military. The socialist controlled the state. But after 1990’s, there was a shift from globalization to economic and political liberation and also the emergence of the multiparty. The capitalism was not as oppressive as the socialist. The markets were also assigned to the private sectors which are regard as a lazy fare. This time, there is no one controlling them; they let them do what they want. For easier understanding, they control them to equalize the status of bourgeoisie and the proletarian. The higher class owned the land, middle class were able to sustain their family and needs while the lower class do not have all that were mentioned above. They are also considered the working class of the society.
In our Philippine setting, the concepts of populism, clientelism, and reformism were applied. Populism is known to be an appeal to the masses; people vote because they are popular and well-known e.g. the presidency of Erap and FPJ. Its main foundation was the masses. The clientelism are working for the network of clients, sample are the local barangay officials. It is where the multi-party politics occurs. Its main foundation was the middle class. Lastly, the reformism, it is the combination of the thesis and the anti-thesis of both populism and clientelism. It appeals to the masses and they came from the middle class and considered to be the synthesis. To conclude, economic power has an effect on the political powers of the said countries and even the Philippines just as the political power influences of our international environment. They benefit from its close relationship with one another.
Works Cited
Agupusi, P. (2011). Trajectories of Power Relations in Post-Apartheid South Africa. The Open Area Studies Journal, 32-40.
Edwards, R. (2000, August 6). The Populist Party. Retrieved from 1896: "The People's Populist Party": http://projects.vassar.edu/1896/populists.html
King, S. J. (2007). Sustaining Authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa. The Academy of Political Science, 433-459.
WANTCHEKON, L. (2003). CLIENTELISM AND VOTING BEHAVIOR: Evidence from a Field Experiment in Benin. Benin: World Politics.
GUARIN, KRISTINE FAYE C.
ReplyDeleteIn a nutshell, Meyer and Brian Rowan in 1977 said that neoinstitutionalism focuses on the institutions, in a sense in which how they interact with the society that somehow affects them as well (Powell, 2007).
In Egypt, the business sector have been widely influenced the government themselves. They were inclined to participate in politics in such a way that the number of elites in the parliament have been increasing in the 80s and 90s, and with their help they have also assisted the National Democratic Party to climb its way to the top, as is it now considered as the long dominant party. And because of their great influence, the workers league in which is catered by the Progressive Unionist Party, that aimed to abolish the market oriented environment that is prevalent within their country for the above mentioned reason. Their cries for reform may have not been heard of it were not for the help of the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamist Forces. Although numerous tries have been made by the opposition party, in the end they still can never even get close to the amount of vote that the dominating party has been receiving for the past elections, this is because that electoral fraud and outright oppression is the sole reasons why they have been putted in the sideline for years. Whereas for Syria, they are likened to Egypt for there are dominant party that is ruling within them, that is the Ba'ath Party. This has been long establish since the 60s. In the same year, some said that in contrary the peasants, urban public sector workers, and minorities have dominated this party. What difference it also has from Egypt is that although, Egypt's opposition party tried numerous times to replace the NDP, they still failed, but in the case of Syria, during the 90s when election was held, and the result came out that a lot of independents gained seats in the parliament, that can be attributed to the secretarial conflict and the overpowering of the opposition. Because of the said change of events, Syria can be dominated by the elites like in Egypt then. These elites strives to drive Syria into a democratic new regime in which they do gradually. Another differences that is noticeable within these two countries is that in Egypt, the Islamist Party, have been some of help and been able to voice out their complaints to the government but in Syria, these groups have been repressed brutally and been deactivated. They have been buried to the ground in order to lessen the opposition that should arise because of them (King, 2007).
But if in the Philippines, I believe its necessary to equalize the number of representatives of both social classes in the government, particularly in the House of Representatives. This will provide a balance judgment and that problems may be prevented. Also, the government should try their best not messed up in the eyes of the Filipino people, because once they have been found out to be doing something illegal, and making use of their said power to strengthen it, the people will then lose their faith in the government that may lead to a much bigger conflict. This is a whole lot similar on what is happening nowadays with regard to the Pork Barrel anomaly, it seems like the people we thought that have been clean and been doing the best things for the people, appeared to be those who have been spearheading the stealing of our money. The above-mentioned comparison should be enough to make the government in the Philippines realize that having a dominant party can lead to a series of chaos. Good thing that the people have not been showing signs of trying to to these, because Egypt and Syria, is a living testimony on how bad it will be for the people and also for the nation, the relationship between them may lead to distraction and agrees of unavoidable events may take place.
SOURCES:
King, S. (2007). Sustaining authoritarianism in the middle east and north africa. Political Science Quarterly, 122(3), 433-459.
Powell, W. (2007). The new institutionalism. Sage Publishers,
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ReplyDeleteRegencia, Lyle
ReplyDeleteElection fraud was very evident in Egypt and Nigeria. in Egypt, the opposition-party weakness there is clearly linked to electoral fraud and outright oppression (King, 2007). On the other hand, According to Oko (2009) Elections in Nigeria will continue to be conducted under dubious and questionable circumstances unless something is done to reclaim the integrity of the electoral process currently under siege by corrupt politicians. Electoral fraud is also evident in some parts of the Philippines, in methods such as vote buying, improper recording of votes, and even with the advance technology, tampering the PCOS machines, etc.
To prevent or lessen electoral fraud in the Philippines, people should change their behaviour towards the methods of electoral fraud, that they should think on long term goals rather than to fill their stomach for a day. The Filipino people should participate in terms of political issues and events; they should not be contented with what is happening and always observe, in this way, electoral fraud would be stop. And to awaken the Filipino minds and spirit, Transparency should be strongly enforce, which was evidently force that Filipinos to participate in gatherings to voice out their objection in terms of Pork Barrel.
Works Cited
King, S. (2007). Sustaining Authoritarianism in the middle east and north africa. political science quarterly , 433-459.
Oko, O. (2009). Dissecting the Anatomy of Fraudulent Elections in Africa: Proposals for Reforming Nigeria's Electoral Process". Retrieved October 4, 2013, from Selected Works: http://works.bepress.com/okechukwu_oko/4
SALVADOR, Clarence Faye
ReplyDeleteBoth South Africa and Egypt had their political worlds being influence by the corporate sector controlling economic power. In simpler terms, there has been a monopolization in the corporate world. For South Africa, it has influenced over the policy-making process and ever since, there has been a shift from a consultative to an elitist pattern. For Egypt on the other hand, the implementation of the privatization has also promoted to a crony capitalism and has confirmed the emergence of an elite coalition.
Our country also faces the same dilemma, the monopolization of the major businesses in the country. The emergence of these started after the Marcos period. Ever since the government had to let go most of its corporations like Philippine Airlines, Petron and Meralco, it has been owned by only a couple of business tycoons. After a few more decades, no one had the courage to compete with these tycoons since they were already known for their impressive business management skills.
Competition is the key to have a robust economy. With competition, there would be a an array of choices to choose from, monopolizing the prices int he market would be minimized and, corporations would give out their very best just so consumers would take their products and services instead.
Egypt and South Africa's economy has been at a turmoil because of this problem. Our country, however, can still solve this by promoting the small to medium business enterprises, providing various seminars on how this can be started and maintained, and support from the government by providing them the capital they need.
Bibliography
Agupusi, P. (2011). Trajectories of Power Relations in Post-Apartheid South Africa. The Open Area Studies Journal, 32-40.
King, S. (2007). Sustaining Authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa. Political Science Quarterly, 433-459.
Wallace, P. (2009). Investment Climate and Business Opportunities in the Philippines , 180-203.
Multiple cases of non-violent mobilization in the name of reform and/or regime change in the regions of the Middle East. In some cases non- violent mobilization has proven effective. In others it has not. What explains this variation in effectiveness? One factor maybe the consequence of the character and scope of the mobilization. It could also be the character of the regime and the timing of the mobilization. There has long been a debate about whether the embrace of repressive tactics by the state to quell popular protest is more likely to enflame or extinguish such mobilization. The relationship is not necessarily linear. Even extremely violent repression by the state can have contrary impact for instance the situation in Syria. To the extent that protesters are “rational calculators” extreme repression is likely to depress participation since violent repressive tactics dramatically heightens the cost of participation. To the extent that protesters are responding to more emotional or ideological motivations extreme repression is likely to increase participation since violent repressive tactics heightens popular sentiment of outrage with the state.
ReplyDeleteMark Lichbach has argued persuasively that there is a curvilinear relationship between repression and mobilization. However he has also argued that where the state applies consistent lethal force against protesters, mobilization generally declines. The case of Syria dramatically challenges Lichbach’s analysis given the persistent mobilization of protest even in the face of the state’s use of consistent lethal force against the protesters. The puzzle of Syria’s experience begs for study.
The dynamics of protest witnessed cannot be fully accounted for by a rational calculation of interest. Clearly emotions such as outrage, solidarity, hope/optimism played a role in the level of mobilization witnessed in
Tunisia, Egypt, Bahrain, etc. Using within case and cross case comparison of the Arab spring cases it thus show the relative role of emotion vs. rationality in the mobilization of protest. The events of the past make clear the contingent nature of protest politics and especially the interactive effect of mobilization tactics and regime response.
Kitschelt and Wilkinson (2007) argue, for example, that the mix of programmatic and clientelistic benefits provided in a political system depends on the level of party competition, ethno cultural make-up of the society, and level of economic development. This implies that as political systems become more competitive, more programmatic and less clientelistic benefits will be provided. It also suggests that particular characteristics of political regimes, social structure, and economies shape politician-citizen linkages and, thus, explain variation in the degree of accountability in the political system. In the Philippines, the accountability of the government have become the reason for the mobilization of the citizens. Especially the recent issue of the pork barrel scam that involved the misuse of government funds that enrage the citizens of the Philippines that gave rise to the Million People March last month. And another example of the response of the masses because of the unaccountability of the government is the Zamboanga crisis which rebels had quarreled with the military as for a big step in regime changing.
References
Kitschelt, H., & Wilkinson, S. (Eds.). (2007). Patrons, Clients, and Policies: Patterns of Democratic Accountability and Political Competition. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
http://pomeps.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/POMEPS_Conf12_Book_Web.pdf
DE VILLA, Bien Anthony A.
ReplyDeleteThe land market liberalization and privatization of state owned enterprises in Egypt resulted to the concentration of assets and the impact of rent-seeking (King, 2007). The control of the state over vital enterprises and lands proved to be essential in the case of Egypt because, the privatization of state-owned enterprises led to the monopolization of different sectors that sided to the disadvantage of the peasants and proletariats. The outcome of Economic liberalization in Algeria is identical to that of Egypt because it provided the elites with rent-seeking opportunities (King, 2007). And because rent is earning economic profit without making new resources, the elites can generate income from the peasantry easily while the latter works hard.
Provided that the result of privatization of state-owned enterprises in Egypt and Algeria is the concentration of wealth and assets to the elites and authorities, the broadening of privatization in the Philippines through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) that is regarded as a strategy to elevate economic growth through the help of the private sector (Aquino, 2012), that seeks to privatize the public and state-owned infrastructures and enterprises to develop the facilities, is prone to abuse of the private owners and elites that will acquire them. The government should maintain the possession of the enterprises such as public hospitals and state universities and allocate funds for the improvement of these social service enterprises because it is stated in the Article XIII, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution, that “The State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost.” And by privatizing the state-owned enterprises, the affordability of the social services will be in the discretion of the private company that acquired the enterprise which may lead to profit oriented social services.
References
King, S. J. (2007). Sustaining Authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa. Political Science Quarterly , Vol. 122, No. 3 , 442-443.
Aquino, B. J. (2012). The Philippine Public-Private Partnership Program. Manila, Philippines. Retrieved from http://ppp.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/PPPBrochure_Sept2012.pdf
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDE CASTRO, MAIRELL CLAIRE F.
ReplyDelete3POL2
Many political scientists in the Philippines were asking if the democratic type of government can really make our country progress and develop. On the other hand, some of them were also trying to come up with strategic plans to make these things happen. However, it has been many years that passed and yet we are still considered to be one of the poorest and undeveloped countries. I believed that we can have some ideas or plans that can be applied using comparison of two or more other countries. In this case, I want to have a brief discussion of what South Africa and Syria have and how the government, administration and way of politics affect the people.
South Africa, given of its tortured past, has been democratic type of government since the shift of power from white minority to black majority in 1994 (Agupusi, 2011). Due to different phases of this shifting of power, there was now the opening of doors for other political actors that made some economical and political changes. Also, because of the huge active participation of blacks in different political processes like in the election and policy making, there were changes that have been made in the policy drafting that empower the black majority (Ibid., p. 38). The empowerment or the shift of power from white elites to blacks has contributed to the development in South Africa today. It may not have been a really speed up progress especially in economy, however we can say that the change in the government has made the society to have a collaboration effort through policy processes, small groups of civil society, and trade unions to be more equal and also it contributed to the empowerment to the oppressed sector of the country. On the other hand, Syria having its single party regime, also tried to have a democratic government way back in late 1980’s and 1990’s. However, this movement or democratic impulse failed due to the fact that cultural dispositions and other region specific factors played an important role. Furthermore, some analysts said that coercive apparatuses are powerful and efficient to use as repressive mechanism in regional conflicts (King, 2007). However, because of the sustained authoritarian regime in their country, it has been contributed to the emergence of crony capitalism and also it just empower more who are in the government and oppress more who’s on the opposition.
Knowing these comparison, we can consider the fact that even authoritarian regime had help Syria to repress regional conflicts, there were still oppression to some groups. However, with regard to the democratic regime in South Africa, and of what we have today in the Philippines, we can say the even economic progress cannot clearly seen in the society, this kind of government influence or give the notion to the people that they must have equality and empower more the oppressed groups. I can suggest that to have a progress and development in the Philippines, we should also eliminate the elites that have been in power and use that power just to corrupt. Furthermore, there should also have an equal distribution of power not just politically but also in economy. Of course, these things will not happen in just a snap. We should always bear in mind that we have a democratic regime wherein we are empowered to have a voice in our government and also we should also stop being political apathetic and participate more in political activities.
Agupusi, P. (2011). Trajectories of Power Relations in Post Apartheid South Africa. The Open Area Studies Journal , 32-40.
King, S. J. (2007). Sustaining Authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa. Political Science Quarterly , 433-459.
DOÑA, ROSE ANNE C.
ReplyDelete3POL2
Both regimes of Egypt and Tunisia has liberalized yet repressed its people. Crony capitalism, clientelism, and rent- seeking mechanisms have pervaded their political structures. The elites have coalesced themselves with the ruling state forces. Through the persistence of dominant- party rule system they have generated lucrative enterprises and rent- seeking arrangements and had the state limit the capability of opposition political parties and the working class in order to hegemonize the distribution of resources. In Egypt, the coalition of economic and state party elites gained control over the country’s flow of resources and had the peasants lost representation in the Parliament (King, 2007). Moreover, transactions between the state and enterprises were marked with lack of transparency. Tunisia, on the other hand, is characterized by the collaboration of businessmen and relatives of the president in regulating enterprises. Moreover, within the state party in Tunisia the power of the peasants and workers has been reduced and has left many people retreat from political participation due to their subordination (King, 2007).
Philippines has long been entrenched with patron- client relations and corruption and capitalism. Although, its system is defined as democratic and defined by multi-party politics which is crucial for the representation of the multifarious interests and goals of the people, corruption is at height by government officials with their alleged misuse of funds and collaboration with corporations to generate wealth and profit. While corruption thrives in the system, the citizenry do not get their share in the government, the goods and benefits to which they are entitled too.
It must be emphasized that the goal of a well- associated civil society group within a government can entail a much cooperative force in order to increase productivity in the state, enhance social unity and produce collective strength such that it shall create though not a perfectly equitable environment but an encompassing treatment for development. Such is the importance of rendering the voice of the people and the ‘oppressed’ to the government in order to create alternatives in decision- making, alternatives that shall not only favor the enlargement of the super-rich but the incorporation of the small minority of people who are relatively deprived by the government. Our system calls for a participatory governance. The Philippines can work for a joint government-civil society partnership to combat corruption and strengthen the collective aspirations of the citizens.
King, S. J. (2007). Sustaining Authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa. Political Science Quarterly , 433-459.
MIGUEL, Nicole Kenneth C.
ReplyDelete3POL2
Political participation, such as elections, is important in many ways that it can help sustain a particular regime or government in a country. In Tunisia and Egypt, the "authoritarian" tendencies of their government have affected the political participation of their people in a way that it has become an agent of marginalization between those who can dominate the elections, such as the economic elites, and those that does not have the power or the capacity to do so. According to Stephen King (2007), in Tunisia, political apathy and cynicism have dominated their electoral politics such that the people has already were already backing out of formal political participation. The dominating party justifies its position by saying that they can provide economic prosperity and stability to the nation. However this can not be always the case. According to Tharoor (2011), even though the authoritarian regime in Tunisia is increasingly accepted by the people because of its economic reform promises, the economic decline and instability currently being experienced in their country could lessen the confidence of the people in their government.
In Egypt, the support of wealthy businessmen and economic elites has helped the NDP (National Democratic Party) to dominate the elections (King, 2007). But this could be disadvantageous since if the NDP dominates politics, the party may only represent the interests of the economic elites, while neglecting the interests of other sectors, such as the laborers and peasants, because they are represented by labor/peasant-based political parties which have lesser chances of winning elections in their country.
The Philippines could have an effective elections if the people were educated enough to have a scrutinizing eye regarding the competence and the capacity of a particular candidate to actually rule the country and be able to serve the interests of the different sectors in the society, if not all. Sadly, patronage politics, vote-buying, clientelism, and the like lessens the credibility of electing good leaders in the country. According to UP-KMS (2011), active participation in elections and utilizing verified information handed down to the people by political candidates allows the people to have a "critical-minded voting" in the Philippines. With competent leaders, the Philippines could move to a more prosperous and developing nation and this would promote opportunities for a genuine political and economic development.
References
King, S. J. (2007). Sustaining Authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa. Political Science Quarterly , 433-459.
Tharoor, I. (2011, January 11). Algeria and Tunisia: Arab Regimes in Trouble. Retrieved from Time Magazine - World: http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2041731,00.html
UP Kalipunan ng Mag-Aaral ng Sosyolohiya. (2013, May 03). “At Your Service”? – Lessons From Clientelist Politics. Retrieved from UP sa Halalan 2013: http://halalan.up.edu.ph/index.php/viewpoints/by-students/156-at-your-service-lessons-from-clientelist-politics
MENDOZA, MIA CIELO P.
ReplyDelete3POL3
Institutions are deeply embedded in social and political environments suggested that organizational practices are often either reflections of or responses to rules, beliefs, and convections built into the wider environment (Powell, 2007). The institutions in Tunisia and Syria sustained the idea religious influence in new-institutionalism The phenomena happening in Tunisia and Syria could also be compared to the events happening in the Philippines.
The transformation of the ruling party in Tunisia was less dramatic because within the state party, the power of peasants and workers has been reduced and the power of the rural gentry and bourgeoisie has been enhanced (King, 2007). The Islamist which is a popular reform movement advocating the reordering of government and society in accordance with the laws prescribed by Islam which is a religious institution as defined in Merriam-Webster contributed in the transformation of Tunisia. The Islamist force and the National Trade Union Federation (UGTT) offer the potential to drive democratizatio (King, 2007). On the other hand, in the case of Syria this is now experiencing insurgencies proved to have also the influence of religious institutions. The Islamists in opposition of authoritarian rule in Syria which is a religious institution were brutally repressed and deactivated (Shadid). The presence of the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria which portrayed a strong role in what is happening to Syria is an example of the rampant involvement of their in institution in the situation of state.
In the Philippines, it is very evident that the influence of religious institutions is vital and they are given particular attention. Considering the fact that the Philippines is majorly composed of Roman Catholics what the CBCP or other religious institutions say is relevant. The Muslim religion is also relevant in the Philippine development on the current status of events in Zamboanga, their influence is greatly seen. Thus, institutional effect as concerned principally with social stability, drawing attention to reproductive processes that function as stable patterns for sequence of activities that were routinely enacted (Jepperson, 1991). They are institutions that should be given a particular attention. Tunisia and Syria proved to be an example of its relevance and as well as the Philippines. We should learn and understand the situations that happened not just in Tunisia and Syria that their religious intitutions constituted a big influence in their government and political arena. The government must focus on their tasks and responsibilities for the betternment and development of our nation yet they must not set aside the influence and the importance of the political instituions that strengthened the nation.
References:
Jepperson, R. L. (1991). The New Institutionalism in Organization Analysis. In W. W. Powell, Institutionalsim, Institutional Effects and Instituionalization (pp. 143-163). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
King, S. (2007). Sustaining Authoritasianism in the Middle East and North Africa. The Academy of Political Science , 433-459.
Powell, W. W. (2007). The New Institutionalism. The International Encyclopedia of Organization Studies , 1-11.
Shadid. Syria Helads Reform.
INOCENTES, CARLO LUIGI B.
ReplyDelete3POL2
EGYPT AND SYRIA EDUCATING THE PHILIPPINES TODAY
Syria’s economy suffers great effects of the continuous conflict that started in the year 2011 and because of this conflict several economic trades and policies could not be accomplished or be imposed because of the threats inclusive in the conflict (Central Intelligence Agency, 2013). While Egypt’s economic concerns the stability of the lower class people’s lives due to the attention that was given by them by the government in the term of President Gamal Abdel NASSER because the economy was closed and was inclusive mostly in Egypt and not open to foreign investors (Haddad, 2013). On the other hand, Philippines today concerns about the lower class people also comparing it to Syria’s and Egypt’s problem in economy. President-elect Noynoy Aquino have been addressing this problem for the past few years of his administration but still the Filipinos cannot experience or observed the growth in the economy in the country (Heydarian, 2013).
One of the solutions of Egypt in addressing this type of issue in the economy by (1) To create an atmosphere suitable for attracting investments and tourists, (2) To create the economic conditions likely to ensure the re-launch of the money market, (3) To develop the banking system and to institutionalize investment transparency, (4) To fight corruption and consolidate democracy, (5) To protect the country’s financial and monetary sectors (State Information Service, 2013). While Syria address their problem through the Greater Arab Free Trade Agreement (GAFTA) and it had opened Syria’s new markets for Syrian exports to provide greater finance assistance for the lower class people in their country (Haddad, 2013)
Applying these policies in the Philippine economic concerns today, these policies could help instantly the growth of the Philippine economy. Applying Egypt’s and Syria’s proposal to attract more foreign investors through the use of its connections with the international society like the ASEAN and the UN—these foreign investors could help increase the increase in the jobs and other opportunities that could help the lower class people in the country to achieve their desired economic stability.
Works Cited
Central Intelligence Agency. (2013, September 18). Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved October 4, 2013, from Central Intelligence Agency: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/eg.html
Haddad, B. (2013). The Political Economy of Syria: Realities and Challenges. Middle East Policy Council.
Heydarian, R. J. (2013, May). Philippines Economy: Booming, But Poverty and Unemployment Remain Problematic. Retrieved October 4, 2013, from Policymic: http://www.policymic.com/articles/39507/philippines-economy-booming-but-poverty-and-unemployment-remain-problematic
State Information Service. (2013, October 4). Egyptian Economy: Problems and Solutions . Retrieved October 4, 2013, from State Information Service Your Gateway to Egypt: http://www.sis.gov.eg/En/Templates/Articles/tmpArticles.aspx?ArtID=55602
Hernandez, Katrina Ysobelle
ReplyDeleteAn organization that decided to take a stance against corruption called Transparency International released their yearly ranking of the most and least corrupt countries in the world. In their perspective, “Corruption is a major threat facing humanity. It destroys lives and communities, and undermines countries and institutions. It generates popular anger that threatens to further destabilize societies and exacerbate violent conflicts.” (Transparency International, 2012) In 2012, the cases of corruption in Tunisia, Botswana and Algeria were significantly lower than that of the Philippines. According to Lentswe Motshoganetsi, “the government has made a concerted effort to educate citizens about corruption and prosecute cases of corruption.” He also said that corruption could annihilate all the assets the country has made so it is very important to have checks and balances through an anti-corruption agency. (Powell, 2012) & (Levenberg, 2013)
Corruption in the Philippines has for a long time been a topic of concern. In order for our country to experience a decrease in corruption the government must also make more effort to educate the citizens and incorporate anti-corruption actions into all aspects of decision-making. Politicians must have a strong political will and must give the people what is due for them. Public spending and contracting must be more transparent and the public bodies must be more accountable. There must also be a zero tolerance for bribe. But most importantly, cooperation within the government as a whole is necessary.
References:
Transparency International. (2012, December). 2012 Corruption Perceptions Index. Retrieved October 3, 2013, from Transparency International: http://www.transparency.org/cpi2012/results
Powell, A. (2012, December 4). Botswana Again Wins Title as Africa’s Least Corrupt Nation. Retrieved October 3, 2013, from Voice of America: http://www.voanews.com/content/botswana-again-wins-title-as-africas- least-corrupt-nation/1558608.html
Levenberg, P. (2013, February 27). Corruption in Tunisia — a first-hand experience. Retrieved October 3, 2013, from America Abroad Media: http://aamdispatch.org/?p=4775
MONTESA, Albert Vincent B.
ReplyDeleteRich Asian Countries like Singapore and South Korea has gone further in making themselves welfare states. These countries has transformed from being just an economic tiger into a caring marsupial that provides basic social services among its people (Park, 1998). In 2008 Korea introduced an earned-income tax credit, a universal basic pension and an insurance scheme providing long-term care for the elderly. This kind of universal basic pension for me is so much beneficial for the elderly part of our citizenry that are the ones who help to make our country progress in the past decades. Even Singapore, long opposed to the idea of a “crutch economy”, offered cash handouts, disguised as tax rebates, to people with low incomes and low-rent homes in this year’s budget. Although the Philippines is obviously poorer than these two countries presented above, although it still limit itself into an ad hoc welfare offerings, fitting the spending level to revenues one budget at a time, there is an increasing trend towards entitlements served by statutory institutions that will outlive the budgetary cycle. As our economy grows (as our government claims) and our systemic governmental institutions mature and free itself from corruption, welfare will be integral to the state (Islam & Clarke, 2002). The welfare provision will become demand-led and not supply driven. Like what South Korea and Singapore has done in their country, economic progress that our government is bragging should trickle down until it reaches the marginalized part of the citizenry. Institutionalized welfare provision was reserved not for the neediest cases, but for workers in the most productive industries and even for these lucky few, welfare was not a right or an entitlement; it was more like an investment in manpower (Park, 1998). Therefore all in all, we should imitate or follow the steps of what the South Korean and Singaporean governments have done to its people. Dole-out policy that the Philippine Government is that is implemented today under the banner of Pantawid-Pamilyang-Pilipino-Program (4P’s) for me is not effective, what the people needs at this point of time or in the future is a long-term solution to the problem. What the people need are jobs, basic social services and benefits. Becoming a welfare state should be the goal of our government.
References
Islam, S. M., & Clarke, M. (2002). The Relationship between Economic Development and Social Welfare: A New Adjusted GDP. Social Indicators Research, Vol. 57, No. 2 (Feb., 2002), pp. 201-228 , 57 (2), 201-288.
Park, B.-G. (1998). Where Do Tigers Sleep at Night? The State's Role in Housing Policy in South Korea and. Economic Geography of Clark University , 74 (3), 272-288.
President Signs Bill Increasing EITC Due Diligence Penalty. (2011, October 15). Retrieved October 4, 2013, from A Journal for Accountancy: http://www.journalofaccountancy.com/Web/20114699.htm
Harvey Leo M. Romano
ReplyDelete3Pol2
The Philippines has traditionally had a private enterprise economy both in policy and in practice. The government intervened primarily through fiscal and monetary policy and in the exercise of its regulatory authority. Although expansion of public sector enterprises occurred during the Marcos presidency, direct state participation in economic activity has generally been limited. The Aquino government set a major policy initiative of consolidating and privatizing government-owned and government-controlled firms. Economic planning was limited largely to establishing targets for economic growth and other macroeconomic goals, engaging in project planning and implementation, and advising the government in the use of capital funds for development projects. (ECONOMIC PLANNING AND POLICY of the Philippines)
Just like in Egypt and Tunisia, the Philippines is currently in the same way of monopolization of wealth with the higher classes of the society. This elitist movement is very evident in the burgeoning number of multimillionaires and even billionaires despite the tremendous number of the poorest of the poor in the country.
As mentioned in the article of Stephen King, “Egypt's crony capitalists are demonstrably linked to powerful political forces, including military leaders, and President Mubarak and his family, the key member of which is the older son, Ala” (Agupusi, 2011). In the Philippines, it is also very evident that who are those in power are also if not the wealthiest, one of the number of establishments and business in the country. Can we also label this as crony capitalism?
On the other hand, as also mentioned in the article, since 1985, Tunisian leaders have been engaged in an agrarian counter-reform in which the state is transferring over 600,000 hectares of the country's best land to rural elite. With the support of World Bank agricultural sector loans, state land held in cooperatives is being privatized in 25- to 40-year leases at rates far lower than market prices, prior to a future move toward outright ownership (Agupusi, 2011). Isn’t it that it is also the same case in what happening to the alleged Hacienda Luicita case wherein there are numerous bloodshed just to please the government to give them a partial of the land?
Economic power shapes political power just as political power influences the economic environment (Agupusi, 2011). In today’s Philippine economy, just like Tunisia and Egypt, economic power continues to be concentrated in the hands o the corporate sector which has to a large extent co-opted the few black elites. Our country sadly is leading to this way-towards a monopolization of the economy by Sy, Tan, Gokongwei, Villar (which is 16th richest man in the Philippines, next to Zobel, according to Forbes Asia), Cojuanco, and other billionaires (Forbes, 2013). But if the government can create a law that will address this problem seriously, in time, we can prevent the marginalization of even higher number of poor people in the society.
Works Cited
Agupusi, P. (2011). Trajectories of Power Relations in Post-Apartheid South Africa. The Open Area Studies Journal, 32-40.
Forbes. (2013, July). The Philippines' 50 Richest. Retrieved from Forbes: http://www.forbes.com/philippines-billionaires/list/
(ECONOMIC PLANNING AND POLICY of the Philippines)
http://countrystudies.us/philippines/55.htm
Joseph A. Cabanit 3POL2
ReplyDeleteTunisia and Egypt, in the time of their economic liberalization had been favoring the economic elites or the Bourgeoisies. And because of it in Tunisia, “The power of peasants and workers had been reduced and the power of the bourgeoisies had been enhanced” (King, 2007). While in Egypt privatization of state owned enterprises have cause the ruling party to switch its support from the masses to the economic elites. That is the control of such state assets enhanced economic elites position in the state. And also both in Tunisia and Egypt, economic elites had gain seat or became official in their government.
In the Philippines, economic elites are highly favored. They let one person monopolize supposed to be state owned enterprises such as those giving commodities (E.g. Electricity and water supply). The privatization program of the Philippines becomes a problem due to the fact that there is no control in the pricing of such commodities. The private enterprise can increase their pricing at their own discretion. This is why rich people in the Philippines become richer and the poor become poorer. And also due to these economic advantages of the elites, they are the one who can afford running in the seats in the national level creating misrepresentation of the masses especially in the Senate.
Due to privatization of such state assets, economic elites have gained economic and political standing in the Philippines while the masses have been greatly underhanded in their economic and political struggle. That is why to our government we should re-acquire those state enterprises or put limitations in the pricing of public commodities to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. This would also help the poor so that they could participate in politics without minding their economic needs.
References
King, S. J. (2007). Sustaining Authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa . Political Science Quarterly. Vol.122 , 433-459.
tagapagmasid. (2008, 05 25). Philippine Government Goes on Privatization Spree. Retrieved 10 4, 2013, from http://www.allvoices.com/: http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/3064667-philippine-government-goes-on-privatization-spree
GIMAO, JAN PATRICK S.
ReplyDelete3POL2
With the apartheid government still in power, the few people rule the land of South Africa and blocked the power of the majority of people in Africa (Agapusi, 2011). The people in South Africa and Syria both maltreated by the few and the majority of people are oppressed and cannot fight for the power is in the selected few. The people of South Africa, after the apartheid era and the start of new government, the majority of the people are still no control in economic matters for the corporations led by few black people are still ruling the economic sectors in the South Africa. The reason why Syria maintain its power is through the help of the business sectors where they control the economy and even the people, majority is the peasants, who do not like the authoritarian regime, they cannot fight the government for reasons of lack of funds. With the public-private partnership of Syrian government and the corporations, the economic life of the elites risen higher than before and the decrease in the peasants. The lands were owned by the state the ones who control these lands were the rural elites given by the government of Syria; there has been a rollback of Agrarian reform in Syria (King, 2007). The Mbeki leadership promoted the creation of black elites on the assumption that they would contribute to the transformation of the black population (Agapusi, 2011). These black elites did not help the majority of the people but rather; they influence the policy-making body in order to maintain such power. The economic power is still in the hands of the corporate sector in South Africa. What similar in Syria and South Africa is that both corporate sectors controls the economic power and the policy making body in order to sustain such power, but the government of Syria still has influence and good relationship in the corporate sectors while in the South Africa, the government is lack of power to control these sectors and the relationship of corporate sectors and the government is that the corporate sectors benefits from the government for the government is lack of funds but the government do no have any benefits from the corporate sectors. It only shows that the relationship of Syrian Government and the corporate sectors are equal but the relationship between the corporate sectors and the government of South Africa is what called “ parasitism”. The majority of the people in both countries are the loser for they do not have any voice to influence.
From this view, The Philippines is similar with these countries. The ones who control the Economic sectors are the big corporations and monopolize by them. There is the SM of Henry Sy, The Meralco, The PLDT, etc. which is controlled by the few elites (BongV, 2010). Because of the monopolization of the few, the majority of the Filipinos are losing hope for a better economic life. The rich become richer, and the poor become poorer is the nature in the Philippines.
There must be an open market in the Philippines and must support by the government in order to prevent such deeper problems to what is happening in Syria and South Africa, the Philippines has still hope for as long as the people will have a political and economical awareness and the government will support the people for an open market than supporting the few elites that becoming richer as time goes by. Filipino people must learn from the mistakes of Syria and South Africa in order to prevent such happenings because from what is happening now, The Philippines is on its way in the condition of Syria and South Africa in terms of economy.
Agupusi, P. (2011). Trajectories of Power Relations in Post Apartheid South Africa. The Open Area Studies Journal , 32-40.
King, S. J. (2007). Sustaining Authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa. Political Science Quarterly , 433-459.
BongV. (2010).Philippines a good place to do business for MONOPOLISTS: P. Aquino, PAGCOR, and Protectionism. http://antipinoy.com/philippines-a-good-place-to-do-business-for-monopolists-p-aquino-pagcor-and-protectionism/
CASTILLO, JOCEL MARIE V.
ReplyDeleteInstitutions form such a large part of the political landscape, and because modern governance largely occurs in and through institutions. Institutions also matter because they typically wield power and mobilize institutional resources in political struggles and governance relationships. Institutions are also said to matter because they are seen as shaping and constraining political behaviour and decision making and even the perceptions and powers of political actors in a wide range of ways (Bell, 2002).
This discussion intends to discuss how the private owners affect the government and its decision. By this, we will compare two countries from the MENA: Egypt and Tunisia.
According to King (2007), when he compared Egypt and Tunisia with regard to the capitalism or the rent seeking coalition, he stated that Egypt’s economic reforms favor rent seekers from dominant economic group and the privatization of public enterprises in Egypt has fostered crony capitalism and social volatility. It stated also that privatization has meant replacing the government monopoly with a private monopoly. Thus it result that the middle class has been shrinking while there has been an enlargement of super rich. As regards Tunisia, the new elite distributional or rent-seeking coalition emerged full forced shortly after Ben Ali took power in 1987. And his family is the leading party in the privatization deals. The Central bank of Tunisia had been utilized to help create the new distributional coalition of a rent seeking bourgeoisie and landed elites. Wherein a referendum was issued that allowing all other banks to give loans to businessman willing to buy state-owned enterprises without appropriate guarantees.
It is said that during the privatization of Egypt, President Mubarak gained direct or indirect control over the flow of resources, such that his dominance of the country’s key economic elite is unchallenged. With this privatization, the peasants did not have the resources to increase production. The solution to the conflict between tenants and landowners can be resolved by bolstering small-scale production in a market-oriented environment. And the laws enacted in Egypt always favored the interest of the owners over those tenants. The pattern of an upward distribution of land seen in Egypt had been also the case in Tunisia. Tunisian leaders transfer many hectares of the country’s best land to rural elite. With the support of World Bank, state land held in cooperatives is being privatized in 25 – 40 year leases. Tunisia encouraged those business men to buy state-owned enterprises as a way to acquire wealth (King, 2007)
These two countries priorities private sector to buy different state-owned enterprises which will benefit them and detriment those peasants. Because those peasants cannot have their own land for the reasons that they lack resources.
As to what has shown in the afore mentioned argument, it is better if the Philippine government will not sell state-owned enterprises because the government will just favor those private owners buy implanting different policy that will just benefit them and detriment those tenants. And if the government will sell these enterprises or lands, small peasantry and tenants in the Philippines will be disregarded in terms of land and enterprises matter. It is much better if the government is the one who is controlling and administer state land/enterprises so that they can see not just the private owners but also the small peasantry and tenants.
Reference:
Bell, S. (2002). Institutionalism: Old and New. Retrieved October 2013, 2013, from UQ Espace: http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/eserv.php?pid=UQ:9699&dsID=Institutionalism.pdf
King, S. (2007). Sustaining Authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa. Political Science Quarterly , 443-459.
Braga, Larrence Paolo R.
ReplyDelete3POL2
According to King (2007), the bourgeoisie and businessmen have increased their number in the Parliament in Egypt. Electoral laws favored the businessmen after being allowed to run as individuals only to join the long-dominating party National Democratic Party after being elected. Political Parties are which are peasant-based struggled to relevance because of the support of the state party to the elites that resulted to misrepresentation. The lower class or the workers and peasant only have the support of the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamic movements but religious parties are also outlawed on most of the Arab World (King, 2007). Meanwhile in Syria, the Ba’ath party has switched sides with the elites from being the representation of the minority groups. It is noted that the regime before as dominated by the minority groups with ties with the Alawi. The transformation of the Ba’ath Party of Syria from a populist to pro-economic elites has been slowed but they’re now moving away from representing the minority groups and some Islamists who are against the authoritarian regime of Syria are oppressed (King, 2007). Clearly from these two countries, misrepresentation of the minority groups is seen and oppression on some groups.
Philippines, as we all aware of, is a democratic state but are we all heard? Corruption has been abundant. Patron-client relationship is practiced; capitalism is trending, and so on. Economic elites, whether like it or not, are the dominant groups and some, if not most, are into politics or are involved to politics. Populists are also abundant, claiming that they represent the lower class or the minority groups. Do they? Masses should be aware now of the things like that. The government should listen to the people because of the fact that not all minorities are represented and some of them are even oppressed. People of the Philippines should participate in the decision-making of the state and not be just represented by the people who claimed that they are “one of the masses.”
References:
King, S. J. (2007). Sustaining Authoritarianism in the Middle East and South Africa. Poltical Science Quarterly , 433-459.
The Syrian Army and South African Army are both strong as described and viewed by some analysts.
ReplyDeleteThe Syrian army was considered tougher than the Iraqi Military of Saddaam Hussein as Swift said in an article. They are considered a summit of their society in terms of status and economic well being. The army is also well equipped with Russian-made military equipments with all the types, from guns to tanks to helicopters while also strong in the manpower. On the other hand, South Arican Army is also considered strong because of its competitiveness when it comes to leadership by their selected, trained and educated military leaders with a sense of professionalism. They are also well equipped in weapons and a lot of benefits are offered to its members. South African Army has its foundation for the benefit of its members to improve their quality of living. This fondation ensures the bond amongst its members with a feeling of belongingness to the Army. This foundation supports the financial planning, lifestyle, household and education of the members and their family.
This kind of strength of this institution from the two different countries, Syria and South Africa, must be applied also in the Phiippines to enhance more the army. This foundation from South Africa which also could be referred in the Philippine Army may be a good way to inspire them to work hard and to become more dedicated to their responsibility. On the other side, being well equipped in military weapons can help the Philippines on its security, may be internal or external issues.
References
Defence, D. o. (2013, May 16). home. Retrieved October 4, 2013, from as army department of defence: www.army.mil.za/aboutus/competitiveadvantage.htm
Foundation, S. A. (2012). Our Aim. Retrieved October 4, 2013, from SA Army Foundation: www.armyfoundation.co.za/index.php/corporate/out-aim
Schogol, J. (2013, August 28). 5 things you should know about Syria's military|Navy Times| navytime.com. Retrieved October 4, 2013, from Navy Times: www.navytime.com/article/20130828/NEWS08/308280031/5-things-you-should-know-about-Syria-s-military
BISCO, JODELYN E.
ReplyDelete3POL2
The emergence of a variety of Islamist moverments to establish an Islamic Sate in Somalia has been an important feature over the past two decades. These range from traditionalist sufi orders, to progressive Islamist movements, inspired groups like Al Itihad Al Islamiya pursuing a regional or global agenda (Bradbury, 2010). The government of Syria on the other hand, has bee trying to suppress a popular uprising since 2011 of March y employing violence (BBC, 2012 ).
In the Philippines a similar uprising happened and is currently happening today. The CPP-NPA although, not an Islamic or any religious movement is trying to overthrow the government of the country. The CPP-NPA can be considered as a popular movement consisting of members from different parts of the country. Its goal is to transform the Philippines into a communist State. In Syria, violence was used to suppress the uprising, however, this resulted into a worse case scenario for the country. Meaning that violence is not always the answer to any conflict. Somalia on the other hand, used the help from outside countries to resolve its problem, and unlike Syria this solution was a success. with this two different ways of resolving problems and terrorism, it is clear to say that the used of outside help is better than the use of coercion.
Now, with regards to the conflict in the Philippines, and the group CPP-NPA, an emergence of a new institution can be very helpful in resolving the problem. However, creating a new institution takes time and this problem needs to be resolved as soon as possible. Thus, another solution can be considered and is badly needed. The government can then appoint a representative and give the CPP-NPA a seat in the Congress. This way, the conflicts between the government and this popular movement can be resolved in a more peaceful way without sacrificing lives and many more. Also, by giving the CPP-NPA a seat, they can also contribute to the country by stating their ideals and goals in establishing a better country to live on. Even though, these parties have contrasting ideas and goals, by working with together, there is a great chance of their contrasting ideas to diminish and even disappear.
Works Cited
Bradbury, S. H. (2010). Endless War: A Brief History of the Somali conflct. Retrieved from Concilation Resources: http://www.c-r.org/accord-article/endless-war-brief-history-somali-conflict
BBC. (2012 , June 8). Syria: Origins of the uprising. Retrieved from BBC NEWS: MIDDLE EAST: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17344858
LAUREL, ANNE MEDLYN C. 3POL2
ReplyDeleteIn the article Sustaining Authoritarianism in the Middle East and South Africa, we were shown a qualitative research about the case study of the countries of Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt and Syria. In comparing countries, Egypt and Tunisia are two interesting states to observe. Both of these countries experienced reduction in terms of the participation of the peasants and workers. it was said that in Egypt, "the influential labor and peasant-based political parties are struggling to develop while the state party shifts its allegiance to economic elites" (King,2007). Thus, this resulted for Egypt having a dominant-party rule. This said Opposition-party weakness can be rooted to the outright oppression and electoral fraud.
On the other hand, Tunisia also experienced what Egypt has encountered. The peasants and workers also had less powers while the said rural gentry and bourgeoisie became more influential. And it was also noted that the things that rule electoral politics in Tunisia are political apathy and cynicism (King,2007).
Here in the Philippines, one can notice that just like what happened to Egypt and Tunisia, the peasants and workers are dominated by the bourgeoisie. And this may be also linked to the courruption that the country is currently experiencing. This phenomena may be caused by the rule of the elite and their desire for power. This resulted in the oppression of the people.
I believe that seeing these things happening in countries that are not even related, means that courruption and oppression of the bourgeoisie to the peasants are becoming prevalent. In conclusion, I suggest that our country should review and look at what the other countries had experience as a learning technique. As early as now, we should prevent this oppression by letting the peasants and workers to participate equally in the state. Transparancy in the government should also be employed. The government should also inform and educate the people on what is really happening in the system.
Reference:
King, S. (2007). Sustaining Authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa. Political Science Quarterly, 433-459.
Pormento, Oliver Wendell D.
ReplyDeleteWhen people talk about the glory of the EDSA revolution back in the 1970’s, they will also remember the important people behind the phenomenon. And this would always include Cardinal Sin, in which people would still argue that without the help of Cardinal Sin, or of that of the church, EDSA Revolution would have never happened, and the people of the Philippines would still be ruled by an authoritarian regime, and it would most probably the Marcos’s still. It cannot be denied that the church is an important part of any state, given that the church aims for morality and righteous teaching to its followers.
Indeed, the Reproductive Health Bill, or RH bill have been a controversial bill for the past decade or so, and it is through the church that the government had a very hard time in passing that bill into a law. In Egypt, the government has been able to pass through the phase wherein teaching s of the church cannot be questioned. “The powers of the government to control the church increased in the modern era, unlike in the past history of Egypt wherein they cannot argue the religious institutions, especially that of Al-Azhar.” (Moustafa, 2000)When we go to Nigeria on the other hand, their religion has become an arena for political activities. And because of this, their people suffer because of the misuse of the authority of the church. (Peel, 1996)
Therefore, the people of the Philippines must be able to control the church, too much involvement of the church would lead to under development of the state and too less involvement of the church would weaken its power and be used by corrupt politicians in their advantage. In the Philippines, the power of the churches are still very powerful, the church has become political in some religions in a sense that they have block voting. Thus, the powers of the church must not be suppressed; rather it must be limited for the state to progress further because the church prevents rapid growth of a state in the sense that it is very conservative. In our day and age we have to reach the standards of the international market and economy, and because of that we have to be able to control the church, and be able to rise as an outstanding state someday.
Bibliography
Moustafa, T. (2000, February). Conflict and Cooperation between the State and Religious Institutions in contemporary Egypt. International Journal of Middle East Studies, pp. 3-22.
Peel, J. (1996). The Politicisation of Religion in Nigeria: Three Studies. Africa: Journal of the International African Institute, pp. 607-611.
Fontanilla, Miguel Luigi E. IV
ReplyDelete3POL2
The Philippines, after the Marcos era, has been in chaos, not because Marcos left the Philippines into ruins but because Elitists who spearheaded the revolution are now the ones in power. As what we could see in Egypt and in Tunisia, the elitist who are the ones in power and are the ones who hold the strings to the lives living in those countries mentioned.
In Egypt, Crony Capitalists who are the ones in power and stayed in power for the rest of their lives, because of there strong links through political leaders, military leaders and even their president, have been the ones controlling the government, influencing them to make laws, on their favor (Agupusi, 2011). While in Tunisia, the monopolization of enterprise by businessmen and with the influencing power of the relatives of the president, there is no more chance that small and sprouting business will become successful (King, 2007). This kind of happenings in Egypt and in Tunisia, will be the by product of a nation whose elites will keep on controlling the poor, both body and mind. I have said, Mind because the elites will keep on influencing them in government propagandas and agendas, while Body because the monopolization of enterprises, will force the poor into submitting their lives to the businesses of those elites, in order to feed themselves and their families.
As the poor becoming poorer and the rich becoming richer, as the poor are becoming more dependent on the Business and ideologies of the rich, like what is happening in Tunisia and Egypt. As President’s relatives, influencing both economic and political fields, elitist monopolizing job producing business, we could not say, that the Philippines is slowly becoming like them, even we are a capitalist, free-marketed country, there are signs that the Philippine’s elites are monopolizing the playing field. One thing is for sure, the Philippines should learned from the lessons that the Egyptians and Tunisian are now facing, with that so, maybe the Philippines might not undergo what the harsh experience Egyptians and Tunisians are now experiencing.
References:
Agupusi, P. (2011). Trajectories of Power Relations in Post-Apartheid South Africa. The Open Area Studies Journal, 32-40.
King, S. J. (2007). Sustaining Authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa. Political Science Quarterly , 433-459.
ventura, lauren leigh s.
ReplyDelete3pol2
Egypt's economic reforms clearly favor rent-seekers from dominant economic groups. Egypt's privatization and structural adjustment programs have led to a distinctly Egyptian brand of crony capitalism. Privatization in effect has meant replacing the government monopoly with a private monopoly. The middle class has been shrinking while there has been an enlargement of the super-rich. State owned enterprises have been sold to a minority of very rich people. The record of private sector enterprises creating jobs is very poor. It is similar with Algeria wherein economic liberalization in created rent-seeking opportunities for elites. Pro-liberalization distributional coalition of government and private sector elites has been formed in Algeria, where a liberalized economy is operating through a circulation of rent among the military, a deficient public and a commercial private sector. Privatization also appears to be fostering de industrialization in Algeria: the private sector is not taking up the slack for the decrease in production of state enterprises in hydrocarbons, textiles, and food processing((King, 2007).
It is similar with the Philippines during the Marcos-era wherein he nationalized and monopolized increasing portions of industry and further increased spending on patronage. During his time economic inefficiency was flourishing, as many sectors were protected behind tariffs and monopolies were granted to Marcos cronies. Inequality in the distribution of Marcos’ friends and allies and were actively involved in formulating and enacting economic policies. Economic policy-making has been described as a small circle of political and business allies and technocrats gathered around a powerful chief executive (Celoza, 1997).
Albert F. Celoza, Ferdinand Marcos and the Philippines: The Political Economy of Authoritarianism (Connecticut: Praeger Publishers,1997), 23
King, S. J. (2007). Sustaining Authoritarianism in the Middle East and South Africa. Poltical Science Quarterly , 433-4
MENDOZA, Agripino Luiz R. III 3POL2
ReplyDeleteA wealthy person can control a nation; indeed this is the case for Egypt where businessmen of considerable wealth control what is supposed to be a government that serves the citizens of Egypt (King,2007). From the democratization efforts of MENA (Middle East and North African Nations) which sought to create a welfare state in Egypt up to the point where it became an authoritarian state which sustained capitalist interests instead of the interests of the common people had always been a question, this very same phenomenon has happened in South Africa. Political power has shifted from the whites to the blacks but there has been no transition of economic power from the whites to the blacks therefore the whites can still have a very powerful say in terms of politics in order to further their capitalist interests (Agupusi, 2011). The true reason why Egypt had remained authoritarian is because the capitalists find it more easier to control one person rather than an assembly of them. In order to stay in power these leaders resorted to getting the support of economically powerful people such as businessmen and landed elites and this is what is the cause of the prevention of the dismantling of authoritarian regimes and the equalization of wealth and economies in states such as South Africa and Egypt. The lesson for the Philippines is that we must recognize this defect within our own government and amend it before these landed elites and capitalists see an opportunity to use our government and our state to further their goals, we must fight back the purely capitalist interest for the invisible hand may instead strike us back with such force as to ruin our nation’s vitality and potential through the furthering of selfish capitalist and elite interests which only serve the few and not the majority of Filipinos. We should rally our interests against the oligarchies that is maintaining its ‘ strangle hold on the Filipinos in order to further their interests.
References:
Agupusi, P. (2011). Trajectories of Power Relations in Post Apartheid South Africa. The Open Area Studies Journal , 32-40. King, S. J. (2007).
Sustaining Authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa. Political Science Quarterly , 433-459.
macayana, celvin john j.
ReplyDelete3pol2
The case of Egypt in which the crony capitalism started when the public enterprises were privatized and were put under the control of dominant economic groups. As it has been saif in Arab Human Development Report, Egypt’s privitization and structural adjustment programs have led to distintly Egyptian brand of crony capitalism. The privitization in effect has meant replacing the government monopoly with a private monoply (Fergany, 2002). Like in the Philippine setting, the crony capitalists of Egypt has a significant link and connection with the political elites of the country including key military leaders and President Mubarak thus Mubarak gains either a direct or indirect control of Egypt’s economy.
Meanwhile in Algeria, crony capitalism have also emerged as a coaliton of government and the private-sector elites has been formed in Algeria. In fact the family of the President has been involved in a privitization scandal. A negative efect of privitization has also emerged and caused de-industrialization in Algeria’s key industries. De-industrialization happened since the private sector does not consider the decrease of production of state enterprises particularly in hydrocarbons, textiles and food processing.
In the Philippines, it cannot be denied that the people from upper class particularly businessen controlled a huge chunk of the economy. The roots of crony capitalism in the Philippines can be traced back during the authoritrian rule o President Marcos when large corporations and business conglomerates of some businessmen were brought under the control of the Marcos government through the key people that were close to President Marcos or the so-called cronies of Marcos. Though the Marcos era has ended about several decades ago, the culture of crony capitalism is still present in our country. Even we have a democratically-elected government. In our domestic politics, the Aquino-Cojuangco clan is not only involvled in the political arena, but also in the economic elites of the country as the relatives of the President owns large business corporations. This crony capitalism led to different forms of corruption since these cronies wanted to earn profit themselves. Even the government always boast for the economic development of the country, the nubers of growth does not materialize and are not distributed well to the lower strata of the society.
In order to curb the negative effects of crony capitalism and ensure that the wealth of the country does not fall into the hands of the few, the government must enact a law that will oversee private corporations with regards to their transactions. The government must have stricter domestic economic policy in order to avoid corruption between the private sector and the government. Both the government and the private sector must collaborate for the development of the entire country not just for the benefit of themselves.
reference:
King, S. J. (2007). Sustaining Authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa. Political Science Quarterly , 433-459.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTec, Natasha Kim R.
ReplyDeletePhilippines have already channeled the power of the voice of the masses in many occassions. Examples of which are our non-violent mass demonstrations. We are a country that takes pride with the exercise of our freedom and involvement. The power of the masses can emphasize a healthy democracy but in other times it may be simply viewed as a capitalist wielded ochlocracy. In order to avoid this communal problem a healthy, encompassing and effective civil society must be built.
Civil society in the countries of South Africa and Somalia are in no means perfect and prosperous. We will not learn from a state framework but we will learn form the mistakes done by their government and civil society. The condition of the civil society is South Africa quite hard to scrutinize for many critics perceive them in having none. The reason behind this is because South Africa has been emerged from a long lived and traditionalized society that is haunted by colonial domination. Along with this obstacle is the facade of a political liberation wherein every action executed by the government is deceivingly guised under the call for liberation (Shubane, 2001). Liberation movements wish to represent the interests of all the dominated and oppressed people, and therefore tend to take a homogenized perspective of all the diversified interests that exist within the oppressed community. Ambiguous Liberation movements is a plague in developing a proper civil society. This is exemplified in the case of radically inspired civil societies that coerced communities in South Africa. In another context, Somalia is country with a struggling civil society. The civil society as institution is greatly divided from the supervision of the state, thus limiting the capacity and funds that they could contribute to the welfare of the people (EU Somalia Unit, 2012). They improved only when the civil society accepted the directives and suggestion of the state as well of the other multinational organizations. Example of which is their acceptance of aid from the Focus Humanitarian Assistance by the Aga khan Development Network (Aga Khan Development Network, 2013).
The Philippines has numerous NGO’s but the proper utilization and processes of these institutions are still in need of reform. Crucial lessons that could be applied to our Philippines society was presented by an author. He articulated that,
“One is the complete acceptance of competitive politics at the national level. A second is the acceptance of the legitimacy of interest-group representation. A third condition requiring acceptance is the notion that policy debate should not be confined to existing political parties or movements, but should be open to a much wider group of interlocutors. Nongovernmental groups especially must be brought into those debates.” (Shubane, 2001, p. 55) (Aga Khan Development Network, 2013) (EU Somalia Unit, 2012)
Conclusive lessons could be taken from these cases first of all the civil society as an institution should not be used as a form of deception for the ambiguous Liberation movement. Second, there should be an effective cooperation between the state and the civil societies as well as a reflective partnership between the local civil societies and the multinational civic movements.
Bibliography
Aga Khan Development Network. (2013). Focus Humanitarian Assistance. Retrieved October 4, 2013, from Aga Khan Development Network: http//www.akdn.org/focus.asp
EU Somalia Unit. (2012, MAach). Strengthening Civil Society in Somalia: Developing a Comprehensive Strategy. Retrieved October 4, 2013, from European Union External Action Service: htt://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/somalia/documents/press_corner/20130612_cs_strategy.pdf
Shubane, K. (2001). Civil Society in South Africa. Journal of Democracy , 53-55.
Erese, Fernando Jr. M.
ReplyDeleteWith the failed democratization of Egypt and Tunisia, its politics became dominated by one party which exercises crony capitalism, clientelism, and rent- seeking. Through these activities, economic elites teamed up with state ruling elites. They have created “money-milking” businesses and oppressed opposing political parties and the working class in order to concentrate the country’s wealth to them. In worst scenarios, Egypt had misrepresentation as the working class has no say in the Parliament. While in Tunisia, political apathy became existent since hope for change seems impossible with the strong alliance of the corrupt economic and state ruling elites (King, 2007).
Philippines, too, has problems of corruption, patron- client relations and capitalism. Also, its multi-party politics is not for proper representation of people but is used to put persons of having same family names to power. With that, not only economic elites are their partners but economic elites which are their relatives too. This makes their already wealthy family to be wealthier.
Filipinos should be more aware and concerned about political issues in their country. One good example of this is their perseverance in knowing the truth about the 10B PDAF scam, which is a product of clientelism, bureaucratic capitalism and an act of corruption. They must not stop until they would know the truth and achieve justice. They must not imitate Egyptians and Tunisians who stopped in attaining political justice and became apathetic. They should peacefully strive for creation of laws that will protect them and laws that will provide government transparency.
King, S. J. (2007). Sustaining Authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa. Political Science Quarterly , 433-459.
PEREZ, Mark Josep R.
ReplyDelete3POL2
Privatization of state-owned enterprises and lands in Middle East and South Africa, known as the MENA, has been prevalent and can be directly linked to their political dynamics affecting their whole system, both economy and politics. This gave them a clear path on emerging as the new dominant class. This new dominant class gained full access to the countries’ economic resources and even gained political power.
In the case of Egypt, economic reforms and liberalization was implemented by the government but this actions only resulted to crony capitalism, providing the elites a good chance and opportunity to monopolize the not only the country’s economy but also its political arena. Egyptian privatization policy of selling assets to single individuals (anchor investors) or small groups of investors led to monopolies or near monopolies in many sectors of the increasingly marketized economy (King, 2007, p. 440). Their economic power also implies political power. Legislations concerning economy favoured these economic elite, which can be directly linked to the existence of crony capitalism. This can be proven in terms of rent-seeking between land owners and tenants, wherein conflict in inevitable. The solution to the conflict between tenants and landowners could have been resolved in a number of ways, including efforts to bolster small-scale production in a market-oriented environment. In the end, however, the new laws governing agrarian production dramatically favoured the interests of owners over those of tenants. (King, 2007, p. 441).
These cases are also reflected in the case of Tunisia. The elites were also highly favoured by the state right after President Ben Ali gained power. There were also utilization of state-owned enterprises to boost economic gain. One good example here is the Central bank of Tunisia. The Central Bank of Tunisia, as was the case in Egypt, has been utilized to help create the new distributional coalition of a rent-seeking bourgeoisie and landed elites. A referendum issued by the bank in November of 1997 encouraged dozens of businessmen affiliated with government officials to buy state-owned enterprises as a way to acquire wealth without improving output. Tunisian leaders have also been engaged in an agrarian counter-reform in which the state is transferring over 600,000 hectares of the country's best land to a rural elite (King, 2007, p. 442)
These privatization of properties is prevalent not only in those countries mentioned. It can also be observed here in the Philippines. The Philippine government has been on a “privatization spree” lately. Properties included in this privatization includes those in transportation, water and electricity supply and hospitals. But these privatizations only caused poor to be poorer and the rich to be richer. Government services is also observed to be deteriorating like in health services The costs of health services in corporatized hospitals belie the government’s claim that privatization will lead to more “accessible and affordable health care” for the poor (UMIL, 2012). Given with the lesson from Egypt and Tunisia, we should oppose these continuous privatizations. This will only benefit the elites while leaving the poor behind. The benefits that should be properly distributed is being centralized to one class. Opportunities should be equal. Our government has been prioritizing the elites for long time. Now is the time for them to prioritize the marginalized one and show citizen equality.
References
King, S. J. (2007). Sustaining Authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa. Political Science Quarterly, Vol. 122, No. 3, 440.
UMIL, A. M. (2012, August 29). Privatization of Government Hospitals, Further marginalizing the poor in the name of Profit. Retrieved from Bulatlat.com: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/08/29/privatization-of-government-hospitals-further-marginalizing-the-poor-in-the-name-of-profit/
Renz Paolo B. Ramos
ReplyDelete3POL2
The Middle East countries as discussed by King (2007) are the same countries that are part of of what we know today as the Arab Spring. This movement basically resists the long time authoritarian rule int he region. These countries had their own form of protests and movements against authoritarianism. Domestic structural forces interacted with institutional legacies will squelch the democratic impulse that was apparent in Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria and to a degree, in Syria in the late 1980's and 1990's (King, 2007) In these countries the government tended to please the elites in the society that to sustain them in power. People from lower classes of the society tends to be dominated by the ideologies of the people in the government and by the elites. This oppression leads them to lean towards democratic practice of voicing out their rights to the institution they believe should be protecting them. In all four countries compared here, Egypt, Tunisia, Syria and Algeria there were movements toward political liberalization and in some instances, real rumblings of democracy that belied blanket explanations about timeless cultural patters that will not yield to democracy (King, 2007). The countries involved clearly made use of their power and influence to maintain the anomalies in the government secret to the public when in reality problems in their government and society are already people are experiencing.
In the Philippine setting, we must learn value our rights to democracy. It is important for us Filipinos to be responsible for this right as not all countries are free to speak about the government and the society. It is not only our responsibility as democratic citizens to criticize the government but also to become a part of the solution to our countries problems. It is a good thing that there is a rapid growth of awareness in the public nowadays regarding the issues of corruption in the government, but it does end on awareness alone. We should always be vigilant to these kinds of abuses done to us, in our own ways we can be part of this nation's progress and success.
References:
King, S. J. (2007). Sustaining Authoritarianism in the Middle East and South Africa. Poltical Science Quarterly , 433-459.
CANDO, Aimee Paulette O.
ReplyDelete3POL2
Religion is a powerful tool and that fact has continued to prove itself all throughout the lengths of history – it has both broken and brought together nations and people and inspired war and peace. In countries like Syria and Saudi Arabia, both the people and the government have realized this and taken it to the next level, practically disregarding the separation of church and state. Both countries are deeply in involved in Islam values, and the positive aspects of both will be applied to the Philippines.
In the case of Syria, people insistently push for a Muslim government and the deprivation of such causes several riots and was one of the catalysts to the Syrian civil war. Despite this, they maintain a more Western view of their religion, putting to rest the traditional side of it, though they collectively believe that the values that a Muslin person has can bring positive outcomes to their country when put in a position of power (Humphreys, 1979). Their president, Bashar al-Assad failed to use this unity among the majority of the Syrian population, and the state of peace is not scarce in his land.
Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, is also a Muslim state whose people beliefs and value its more traditional aspects. Fortunately, this type of belief has been able to properly survive and prosper in their state because of the same appeal it has to the Syrian people. For a country to work in accordance of the Muslim moral law, that only means to its people of the consistency and forthrightness within the government. In addition to this, the religion also values those who are marginalized in their society (Bahgat & Dessouki, 2010).
The Philippines, despite the pressures of modernization and secularization, still remains a country that is strongly influenced by religion and other beliefs. What is different from the Philippines and the two previously discussed countries is the fact that there is a significant amount of diversity between cultures and central beliefs. Despite this, taking away from the experiences of the people in Syria and Saudi Arabia, if the Filipinos are able to collectively arrange the positive traits of somebody who fears God and have a unified idea of what is and what is not beneficial to the country as a whole, the country may be able to avoid the chaos of civil wars and instead come up with a stronger Filipino identity that they so struggle to find.
References:
Humphreys, R. Stephen. (1979) Islām and Political Values in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Syria. Middle East Journal, Vol. 33, No. 1 (Winter, 1979), pp. 1-19
Korany, Bahgat & Dessouki, Ali E.Hillal (2010). The Foreign Policies of Arab States: The Challenge of Globalization. p. 358.
Unity in diversity has been a problem in every county that has no common ground in breaking their difference in all aspects of their life. In Africa, we have the problem of apartheid but despite this, problem there are some nations that are able to break free from this struggle. We have South Africa and Nigeria. South Africa's salutary transformation is the region's most stirring event since post-colonial surge to independence thirty years ago. Not only has apartheid been revoked, but President Nelson Mandela has shown how to turn bitter adversaries into political allies, providing a model for African states polarised by ethnic rivalries. And if Pretoria really opens its own frontiers to freer trade, it could jump-start stalled economies elsewhere. (Editorial: New York Times, 07.03.1994) (Bernard Makhosezwe Magubane, n.d.). As you can see, South Africa was able to break free from this situation due to the contribution of this man namely Nelson Mandela. With his pursuit to eradicate this, years after, the first white and black election was held. For Nigeria’s case, the country has been trying to break free from religious apartheid. There has been fights with regards to this issue, it is said that “Nigerians have to embrace freedom of worship.” (Odimegwu Onwumere, 2012) This is somehow a good sign because the people have an awareness that this is happening with their country.Similarly to this, somehow this problem of diversity resulting to conflict has been a problem in the Philippines. We have the problem with regards to the Muslims and Christians. In Zamboanga, this is somehow one of the underlying issues. Virtually every country in the world has a history of anti-apartheid activity, in diverse forms. In many countries, anti-apartheid activities were linked (formally or informally) with local struggles against oppression of many kinds. (Nelson Mandela Center for Memory, 2013) With that being said, to somehow have unity amongst each other, we must set our political and selfish agenda aside and think of the betterment and peace of each other. Having an open mind in negotiations and peace can be a start. If South Africa can do this then why can’t we?
ReplyDeleteBernard Makhosezwe Magubane. (n.d.). United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Retrieved October 4, 2013, from Reflections on the Challenges Confronting Post-Apartheid South Africa: http://www.unesco.org/most/magu.htm
Nelson Mandela Center for Memory. (2013). The life and times of Nelson Mandela. Retrieved October 4, 2013, from Anti-Apartheid Movement Archive: http://www.nelsonmandela.org/content/page/anti-apartheid-movement-archives1
Odimegwu Onwumere. (2012, July 26). Modern Ghana. Retrieved October 4, 2013, from Religious Apartheid In Nigeria: http://www.modernghana.com/news/408183/1/religious-apartheid-in-nigeria.html
GALVEZ, JEAN CLAUDETTE L.
ReplyDelete3POL2
Survival of institutions in a political society that is indubitably full of challenges caused by several factors such as the citizens is significant for them to operate efficiently. However, they need to do more than succeed economically, they need to establish legitimacy within their own state. This legitimacy is indeed, at stake, because corruption is now evident in certain states in the world. Corruption is a symptom of numerous difficulties within contemporary societies.
Corruption in Africa is a problem of routine deviation from established standards and norms by public officials and parties with whom they interact (Haralambous & Horbon, 2004). The growing corruption in Nigeria can be traced to people holding power at the federal, state, and local government levels. Same as regards the economy in Algeria which has suffered from slow growth (Luo, 2006). Institutional weaknesses continue to undermine prospects for sustained long-term political development in Algeria and Nigeria. The foundations of political system remain fragile due to corruption and an inefficient judicial system that is vulnerable to political interference. Lingering political uncertainty and a negative attitude toward foreign investment hamper fuller integration into the world economy, and policies to promote or sustain reform measures have been neglected or even reversed.
Nowadays, we cannot deny the fact that the Philippine politics had been characterized by corruption happening in the country. The most prevalent happening is the “pork barrel scam” or the misuse of Philippine Development Assistance Fund. The Filipinos had been eager to trace and to prevent this political upheaval but it is still widespread on the government. From this, we could infer that instead of solving the pressing societal issues particularly, poverty, it is not because of the inefficient institutions caused by corruption. However, Nigeria and Algeria are already eradicating this problem within their institutions by emphasizing on transparency, integrity, and accountability in all the private and public transactions of the government. Social Transformation and education of the public is a necessary factor of this. The law should be enforced to its fullest and without fear and favor. Lastly is the improvement of sociopolitical and economic Life. This is another weapon against corruption in our nation (Bardhan, 1997). The multiplying effects of this improvement will reduce the tendency of public servants to demand and take bribes and get involved in other corrupt practices. Therefore, the Philippines should also imposed this especially to the institutions to establish their legitimacy in the society.
REFERENCES
Bardhan, P. (1997). Corruption and Development. Journal of Economic Literature, 1320-1346.
Haralambous and Horbon (2004). Themes and Perspectives in Sociology. 6th Ed.
Luo, Y. (2006). Social Responsibility and Perecived Corruption. Palgrave Macmillan Journals, 747-766.
Ruiz, Prime Martin E
ReplyDeleteInstitution from time to time has to change in order to assess the wants and needs of the people even if the method of change will be a democratic or a violent way. Just like in the lesson of chapter 6. The change of power of “whites” to “blacks” in South Africa can be compared here in the Philippines. In the shifting of power in the country of South Africa, there are many things that changed in the country and in the system of government. I think that the most important event that happened after the shift is the ban of the African National Congress (ANC) was lifted and all political prisoners were lifted (Agupusi, 2011). This paved way to a new system of government, which is ruled by the “blacks” that is lead and represented by Nelson Mandela (Agupusi, 2011). This shift of power and representation of the people in the government and the world that Nelson Mandela did can be seen in one of the most important event in the Philippines wherein the institution of the Philippines changed. Our institution was changed because of the effects of the people power that ousted a dictatorial leader who is Ferdinand Marcos (Huntington, 1991-1992). I compare the executive institution because South Africa after the Apartheid had it first “black” president and for the Philippines the first Filipina president was appointed.
This representation of the people in the executive institution was able to change a lot of political institution on both countries. In South Africa, It changed the ideas of the party system in dealing with economic sector and in the needs of the people.
Works Cited
Agupusi, P. (2011). Trajectories of Power Relations in Post-Apartheid South Africa. The Open Area Studies Journal (4), 32-40.
Huntington, S. P. (1991-1992). How Countries Democratize . Political Science Quarterly , 579-616.
PANGAN, ALJON G.
ReplyDelete3POL2
In 1999, Stokes defined political parties as a political organization and political institution which shaped the process and system of government of a particular state. Almost each independent state in the world has at least one political party or more than one (The World Factbook, 2013). Thus, this implies that each state has its own political party system—it can be a single party system, two dominant party system, multi-party system or one dominant multi-party system. Basically, as posited by King (2007), both Tunisia and Syria follows a multi-party system for political parties but there is a single dominant party ruling and governing the two states. In Tunisia, the dominant political party which is the Democratic Constitutional Rally dominated the election from 1989 up to 2004 legislative elections. On the other hand, the ruling party in Syria is the Baath which also dominated the political and governmental process of Syria because under their own constitution. The Baath Party is back by a law which requires the parliament of Syria to give 167 out of 250 seats to the Baath Party (2007). Henceforth, because of all of the above-mentioned descriptions of the two dominant political party in Syria and Tunisia, representation and equality is at stake where in only the minority of the total population rules and decide in behalf of the whole country in which only their interests are prevalent.
Lounsbury & Zhao (2008) described neo-institutionalism as a perspective that is used to understand organizational behavior as situated in and influenced by other existing organizations and wide social forces. It is indeed true that a political party is a kind of institution which really affects and influence the populace particularly the dominant ones. With the dominance of Baath Party and Democratic Constitutional Rally, it is evident that misrepresentation of the populace is spreading. Thus, this threatens the political participation of each individual citizens of Syria and Tunisia. This particular circumstance must serve as a lesson for the Philippine politics. The Filipino people should be vigilant in protecting their own rights as the citizens of the Philippines. The political parties in the Philippines should be checked whenever one of them leans toward authoritative actions—because it influences the citizens and the whole country itself.
To sum up, political parties are institutions which also influence other existing institutions and the political behavior of each individual as explicated by the dominant parties of Syria and Tunisia.
REFERENCES
King, S. J. (2007). Sustaining Authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa. Political Science Quarterly Vol. 122, No. 3, 433-459.
Lounsbury, M., & Zhao, E. Y. (2013). Neo-institutional Theory. New York: Oxford University Press.
Stokes, S. C. (1999). POLITICAL PARTIES AND DEMOCRACY. Annual Review of Political Science Vol. 2, 243-267.
The World Factbook. (2013, October 4). Retrieved from Central Intelligence Agency: html
Ramirez, Monica M.
ReplyDelete3POL2
According to Article 2 Section 6 of the 1987 of the Philippine Constitution; “The separation of the Church and State shall be inviolable”. The principle means that the Church is not to interfere in purely political matters or temporal aspects of man’s life and the State, in purely matters of religion and morals, which are exclusive concerns of others (in-text citation). However, Philippine today is already in the state of crisis wherein the voice of the Church must be completely heard by the government. There’s already the issue regarding the RH bill and now the issue about the pork barrel wherein million march is done in order for Janeth Lim Napoles finds herself guilty of the crime. In that case, Church in the Philippines must have their say in the government and not to be easily invalidated or rejected. This suggestion will be supplemented through giving insights coming from one of the chapters discussed in Governments, Politics and Development in Asia and Africa.
In unit 7, the article written by Wakili entitled Africa: Islamic Thought and Elections mainly discussed about the compatibility of Islam and democratic politics, the imperative of the ulama’s participation in politics, the importance of Muslim’s participation in the electoral process, and the urgency to vote for the most credible candidate regardless of political affiliation and perhaps even religious disposition. In summary, the unit would like to identify the major expression of Islam in Nigeria’s political arena through increasing political involvement of the ulama (Islamic scholars) and Muslim activists in the governance of the country. Since they do believe that Islam serves as a complete way of life wherein concerned with the regulation of all human activities as politics inclusive. Now, not only Nigeria who had considered Islam and politics are inseparable even Algeria. During 1992, the Islamic party capitalized on popular discontent and won the elections. Although it received, large criticism between its people as they want other religion to arise, the fact that they acknowledge the presence of religion in political affiliations is already the factor this comment would like to emphasize.
In that case, if this two countries deemed Islam and politics inseparable, then why not the Philippines. However, in our case, it should be Roman Catholic who would be given the chance, since it is the religion of the majority of the Filipinos. In 2011, there were estimated 75.5 of Filipinos are Catholics. In this way, it would strengthen the values of our dear officials and keep them away from fraudulent acts. Catholics should be given equivalent representation in the mass and in the government as they do believe on actions that will lead us to salvation not to starvation.
References
Burkhardt, C. (2013). The Position of Catholic Church in Political and Social Relations of the Philippines. Retrieved from Academia.edu: http://www.academia.edu/1206897/The_Position_of_the_Catholic_Church_in_Political_and_Social_Relations_of_the_Philippines
De Leon, H. (2008). Textbook on the Philippine Constitution. Manila: REX Book Store, Inc.
Lawrence, T. (2013). Country Profile: Algeria . Retrieved from Transforming Lives and Communities: http://www.om.org/en/country-profile/algeria
Wakili, H. (2013, October 4). Islam and the Political Arena in Nigeria. Retrieved from The Ulama in the 2007 Elections: http://www.bcics.northwestern.edu/documents/workingpapers/ISITA_09-004_Wakili.pdf
ARRIOLA, Sim Carlo Jesuel L.
ReplyDelete3POL2
It cannot be denied that another type or formsof the so-called ‘Hello Garci’ scandal can occur anytime during every elections that the Philippines is conducting—whether locally based, or national in scope. This ‘Hello Garci’ scandal emerged a very alarming issue in the Philippine politics—particularly the 2004 national election (Inquirer News, 2011). This phenomenon in the Philippine politics denotes an election anomaly—electoral fraud. To expound on this issue regarding electoral frauds, in Egypt, the Opposition-party weakness is clearly linked to electoral fraud and outright oppression. (King, 2007) On the other hand, in Syria, it is guaranteed by law that there is a requirement of 167 seats out of 250 to be claimed by the hegemony of the Baath Party in their Parliament (2007). Thus, it is evident in the two aforementioned countries that there is a clear and undeniable anomaly occurring in their electoral process. With this, it threatens the political participation of the citizens of their nation because it hinders the voice of the people.
It is indeed true that those particular electoral fraud incidents happened in Egypt and Syria affects the political behavior of each citizens—particularly their voting behavior. Because of these electoral frauds, it had invoked a feeling of fear to its citizens. Thus, these phenomena, with that of Syria and Egypt, also the 2004 alleged electoral fraud, should therefore serve a turning point to protect and uplift every election that the Philippines will be holding.
In a democratic country, like the Philippines, the right of the people to vote is sacred and a very important obligation to perform, which is offered by the country’s constitution (De Leon, 2008), to be able to actively participate in the government. The electoral frauds, like what had happened in Egypt and Syria should not be tolerated in the Philippines in order to preserve a genuine and real democratic character of a country.
REFERENCES
De Leon, H. S. (2008). Textbook on the Philippine Constitution. Quezon City: Rex Printing Company, Inc.
Inquirer News. (2011, August 18). ‘2004 election fraud covered up’. Retrieved from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/43369/'200-election-fraud-covered-up'
Inquirer News. (2011, July 21). IN THE KNOW: “Hello Garci” scandal. Retrieved from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/26763/in-the-know-"hello-garci"-scandal
King, S. J. (2007). Sustaining Authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa. Political Science Quarterly Vol. 122, No. 3, 433-459.
PLOPINIO, Hannah
ReplyDelete3POL2
The economies of Egypt and Tunisia are characterized by crony capitalism, where the private sector strongly influences the policy-making process and are supported by the government. Crony capitalism has led to the decline of the development of the middle class, and the lives of peasants have been completely compromised and undermined. More so, the government’s support for political parties carried by elites have further lessened the chances of the representation of the lower class (King, 2007).
With regard to the current setting of the Philippines where there is evidently a monopoly of conglomerates that rule the Philippine business sector, one step to be taken would be the additional support of the government for smalltime businesses instead of boosting the already established major corporations. While it is true that the government does allow loans for aspiring businesses, a change in policy could be implemented regarding how these loans are granted.
For example, the span of time wherein the debt shall be paid should be extended, given that business starters are only testing out waters. Hence, instead of being given two years to establish said small business and pay with interest afterwards, the payment agreement shall be lenient and with accordance to the type of business. Although it should be noted that these aspiring businesses be evaluated closely as well, in order for it to be beneficial to both parties.
Reference:
King, S. (2007). Sustaining Authoritarianism in the Middle East and South Africa. Poltical Science Quarterly, 433-459.
BALDOS, SUSHMITA
Delete3POL2
On October 15, 2012 the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front has made a mark in the state’s history as both parties signed the Peace Accord in which it caters the halt of a “decades-old conflict which has claimed at least 150,000” and has provided a demarcation line between Filipino Christian and Muslims.
The Accord has included provisions that are beneficial for both the Philippine government as well as the Muslim Mindanao. On the former party, the territorial integrity and the geographical unity of the archipelago would be conducive to the development of the Philippines as a whole nation since certain economic concerns which the Muslim Mindanao is known to be a major actor would not experience disruption when it comes to economic developmental negotiations. In addition, the Philippine government will retain the legitimacy of its public power over the Philippine state, considering some conditions being agreed upon by the government of the Muslim Mindanao regarding the latter’s “autonomous” status.
For the Muslim Mindanao or the ARMM, continuous control over revenues, enjoyment of the benefits brought by the taxation system, and the further management of local-law enforcement shall be observed and felt by the members or citizens of ARMM.
However, in the recent news, we are making aware by the media that there has been a conflict between the Philippine Army and the MNLF due to the lapses included in the Peace Accord, which have been felt by the Muslim Mindanao. The conflict has already cost a lot of casualties, which really affected the lives of the common citizens in Zamboanga. The Aquino administration, as of today, is still trying their very best to provide solution and improvements that would change the relationship of the government and the Muslim Mindanao, for worse to better.
The conflict in Zamboanga somehow resembles to that of another conflict that happened also this year in Syria. In the international environment, Hafez al-Assad has been dealing with conflicts brought by the opposition Muslim Brotherhood. It was recently reported in the international media that the Syrian conflict went beyond the limits as it was found out that there has been a use of chemical weapon during the span of Syrian civil war. The US government has initiated some actions regarding the halt of the Syrian conflict but the decision of Obama’s administration has somehow made other nations skeptical, to the point that the US government has been accused of illegal and inappropriate intervention to an international conflict which they should not care about. Even the USSR has seen some lapses and doubted Barack Obama’s ability of governing US due to such controversy.
As you would notice, there is no development-related concept about conflict that have been happening to the Philippines and Syria, but I could say that through those conflicts and civil wars, we could come up with a post-behavioral analysis about how religion affects the relationship between the administration and its citizens. We could also come up with a solution regarding such conflict, which involve religious discrepancies.
REFERENCES:
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2013/10/filipino-rebel-chief-wanted-over-deadly-siege-2013103125517666239.html
http://www.think-israel.org/marcus.quotesmuslimbrotherhood.html
http://www.globalresearch.ca/philippines-peace-agreement-between-manila-and-the-moro-islamic-liberation-front-milf/5308013
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ReplyDeleteLesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Nigeria and Syria face unique legal and social challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Syria faces legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Syria and the government does not allow for a LGBT rights movement to exist. Culturally, traditional religious mores assert that homosexuality and cross-dressing are also seen as signs of decadence and immorality. Both countries’ record on human rights, including LGBT rights, is very poor. There is no legal protection against discrimination in Nigeria — a largely conservative country of more than 170 million people, split between a mainly Muslim north and a largely Christian south. Very few LGBT persons are open about their orientation, and violence against LGBT people is frequent.
ReplyDeleteIn Nigeria the worst punishment is stoning to death by the Shari’a Law which applies to all Muslims. In the secular part of Nigeria it is 14 years of imprisonment and the legislation is has a pending decision to criminalize same sex marriage. In Syria it homosexual activity can put you in prison for the next 3 years
Although there no known reports in the Philippines about LGBT rights except for the anti-discrimination bill of Teddy Casino, we can take the example of the situation in Nigeria and Syria that this hot topic is not to be passed by. Special legislation must be enacted to protect the rights of Filipino LGBT so that the situation in Nigeria and Syria will be prevented. The situation of these two countries is bought about by heavy conservative religion. Philippines ia a democratic country and likewise a conservative religion both having Christianity and Islam like Nigeria and Syria. Thus we should learn from their legislation that they do not value the LGBT sector. We might not have the exact situation they have but we must prevent this from happening in the Philippines.
References:
http://www.hrw.org/world-report-2012/world-report-2012-nigeria
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ni.html
http://www.gaymiddleeast.com/news/article17.htm
EMETERIO, MA. ANGELA Q.
ReplyDelete3POL2
Egypt and Syria are two countries in which crony capitalism is developed and has existed. In line with this, big enterprises and businesses are just revolving around few hands, thus, these businessmen are often part of the government with high ranks. The names of businessmen and government officials are just the same because of the fact of monopolization of business and enterprises. As such, monopolization of power as well as businesses is not a good idea for the aspect of economy. More often, crony capitalism is a defect for a nation. Having the polarization of money in certain hands, there is an imbalanced distribution of wealth for the mass. A government with this kind of system usually faces difficulties in their economy.
In case of the Philippines, there is also a monopolization of businesses and enterprises. High-earning companies are in the hands of either foreign investors or businessmen. The advantage in this process is that professionals are the one who handles the big chunk of economy who know how to use their profit and income well, thus, contributing to a good economy for the country. However, the disadvantage of this is that if these businessmen and inventors pull out pull out their companies, the economy of the country will suffer.
Having a good system of handling the business for the country which can be a factor of uplifting the economy is a way for development. However, having crony capitalism could be detrimental for the Philippines.
REFERENCES:
Agupusi, P. (2011). Trajectories of Power Relations in Post-Apartheid South Africa. The Open Area Studies Journal (4), 32-40.
Chekir, H. (2013, August). Crony Capitalism ni Egypt. Retrieved from http://www.hks.harvard.edu/var/ezp_site/storage/fckeditor/file/pdfs/centers-programs/centers/cid/publications/faculty/wp/250_Diwan_EGX%20paper.pdf
Oliva, Pauch
ReplyDeleteThe prevalence of election fraud in Egypt and Nigeria is undeniably observed wherein those in power manipulate the election results as well as the electoral process itself (Akintide, 2010). This is also evident in the Philippines as vote buying incidents and clientelism are presently “experienced”. According to Oko (2009), electoral problems in Africa are inevitable when leaders are not effective in their posts. This results to an implication that institutions play a major role in the electoral process. They are actually responsible for extinguishing the irregularities as regards election. This also applies in the Philippines because the incompetence of the institutions results to mismanagement not only of the institutions but the state itself. In addition, political bodies have an impact or influence with regard to the citizens’ behavior. In conclusion, the eradication of electoral fraud lies in the hands of the government institutions but it does not end there. The people is also responsible for the scrutiny of the government should it cease to perform its functions and duties to the multitude. In the end, the two must work hand in hand towards state development where the general will is always prioritized.
References:
Akintide, W. (2010, January 10). Election Fraud in Nigeria. Retrieved October 4, 2013, from nigeriaworld: http://nigeriaworld.com/feature/publication/akintide/011010.html
Oko, O. (2009). Dissecting the Anatomy of Fraudulent Elections in Africa: Proposals for Reforming Nigeria's Electoral Process. Retrieved October 3, 2013, from http://works.bepress.com/okechukwu_oko/4/
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBarcenas, Beryll Andre
ReplyDelete3POL2
Do we Filipino, find our rightful presentation outside the country? Or are we still degraded by others?
South Africa shifted their power from whites to blacks. However, they still lacked a clear ideology on how they will sustain their influence over policy-making process. It goes to say that these blacks do not obtain pluralist concept of power. In that manner, the corporate sector took advantage of the weakness of the blacks and therefore, took control of the policy-making process. The blacks also lack financial and economic capability to sustain their power, thus, remaining dependent to the support of corporate sector. In that manner, it seems that blacks could still not manage to gain their full preponderance on their power. The similar way is also happening in Egypt, specifically the black Egyptians or the non-Arab Africans. Only that, they do receive rampant racism. They were routine victims of discriminations by officials and on the street. Even Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed receives calls telling him to leave Egypt. He traced the messages back to a Sudanese embassy official and took his concerns to the police. But the police do not believe his clamors. Black, non-Arab Africans say the case reveals long-standing racism that threatens the security and livelihoods of Egypt’s sizeable sub-Suharan population. While refugees in the country face an overburdened and highly bureaucratic asylum system and aid organizations are underfunded and ill equipped to help them, non-Arab refugees face much more serious problems.
In regard to that, Filipino is also facing the same way in America. Electing a black president is believed that finally, the greatest nation on earth had cast it off its prejudice against colored people, that it no longer discriminated by the color of one’s skin and racial preferences was a thing of the past. But this event resorted in another struggle for black people to uplift their identity, since there are times wherein Obama had a hard time governing America since most of his agenda were shot down by a Republican-dominated Congress. This situation affects the status of Filipino in America. The white Americans have a low regard for Filipinos. They are receiving hate mails in the internet. There are also instances by which a Filipino resident in America namely Maria Aida Ignacio Brandes receive a letter from California Department of Consumer Affairs Board of Barbering & Cosmetology, threatening to fine her for allegedly unlicensed salon services. The letter also accused the entire Filipino-American community in the town, calling them “filthy” and “unwanted”. With that in mind, Filipino is still in a continuous fight of achieving rightful presentation and identity even superiority just like the South African and the Egyptians.
References
Agupusi, P. (2011). Trajectories of Power Relations in Post-Apartheid South Africa. Retrieved from The Open Area Studies Journal: http://benthamscience.com/open/toarsj/articles/V004/SI0014TOARSJ/32TOARSJ.pdf
Bulletin, M. (2013, July 19). Racism. Retrieved from Yahoo News Philippines: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/racism-000500995.html
Siegelbaum, M. (2013, July 19). Balck Egyptians decry Racism. Retrieved from Aljazeera: http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/07/201371817106275826.html
Enriquez, Anne Laurice I.
ReplyDeleteAfter failing the democratization of the four countries in Africa -- Tunisia, Syria, Egypt, and Algeria-- it came to my mind whether the Philippines' projection of democracy is legitimate or if it is failing. The reasons of the fall of democracy of Syria and Egypt is affected by factors such as: social conflict, institutional weakness, the rise of radical parties, the politicization of the military and the role of an unfavorable external environment. If these are the evident reasons why they considered their system of democracy to fail, then my outlook on the Philippines' is the same; democracy failing. Each and everyday, more and more flaws of the Philippine government are unveiled and each of the situation tells more about how democracy is widely abused by the people who are in position or who has power.
Likewise the countries of Syria and Egypt, it might just be effective if authoritarian rules will be applied to this nation and remove this failing democracy. The condition of the Marcos era gives a clear reason why it will be effective in the country. Marcos' authoritarian rule brought the Philippines in its highest point, the highest point it has been. Everything was in order politically, and there were not much problems as regards the economy. There should be a clean slate before implementing authoritarianism to make sure not the same persons who are abusing power will be given the position. Although it may not come easy, nothing else does. But as long as there is will to do it then we can make it. It is better to take the risk for development than continue with a barren system.
reference:
http://sam.gov.tr/the-fall-of-democracy-in-syria/
MONTESA, Albert Vincent B.
ReplyDelete3POL2
The political liberalization of the Middle East and North African particularly Egypt and Syria has created an inequality in terms of economic resources among its populace. The fewer elite class who has access to power has monopolized the economic aspect of Egyptian and Syrian society. The transition to capitalist society has created a special kind of capitalism which is oligarchic in nature which is commonly known to many as “crony capitalism”. The families and the relatives of those in power have monopolized access to the national industries and in their countries and they make business out of the government. They are practicing bureaucrat-capitalism in which government officials sell government establishments, business, social service industries and businesses to get profit out of it and use it for their personal interests.
The situation in Egypt and Syria is also happening in the Philippines. The people power revolution that oust the dictatorial government of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos has promised to alleviate the lives of the Filipinos by means of political liberalization and changing the economic system into liberal capitalism. But the situation here in the Philippines has become worse. People in the countryside and urban poor communities are still in hunger and poverty still arises. The gap between the economic elites and the masses is becoming wider as years past. The oligarchs in the Philippine Society are getting richer and richer. The economic elites are still being favored by the government. They let few people monopolize the use of different industries like electricity, water, oil companies, transportation industries and other vital industries that are supposed to be owned by the government, owned by the people, of the people and for the people. This monopolization of vital industries in our countries has give the oligarchs the power over our own resources and use it as their capital in order to gain profit that will just benefit their own interest and the interest of those in power. Privatization of different government enterprises, establishments and business has become a tool of oppression to the Filipino masses. If we choose to learn from the failure of political liberalization of Egypt and Syria, we can still manage to improve our present society. Change the oligarchic nature of our society and make a better future. The government should re-acquire the vital industries from the private sector to the hands of the government. If ever that this will be put into action, taxes paid by the people will be properly allocated among the citizens. We should learn from the experiences of our MENA neighbors and initiate social change in order to improve our present situation.
Reference:
King, S. J. (2007). Sustaining Authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa . Political Science Quarterly. Vol.122 , 433-459.
Magsarili, Luis Miguel F.
ReplyDelete3POL2
Learning from Algerian history and Egyptian development, Algeria had a civil war that resulted more than 100,000 casualties since 1991 and Egypt had competent soldiers and disciplined citizens. Relating this to the current Philippine condition, the MNLF uprising and the lack of discipline of Filipino citizens. The AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) may have done their part but still not enough. It is because of some factors such as weapons distribution, military tactics and counter-intelligence, etc. are not done well. Negotiations with them would be faulty as well since the terms aren't in line and perhaps in the latter, they won't make negotiations ever again. Casualties of Filipino soldiers are rising each day. The government is at fault, not AFP.
It is as if the AFP, is the brawn and the Philippine government, the mind should work together and come up for a new strategy. The Philippine government kept repeating their mistakes over and over, resulting to more injured and deaths of Filipino soldiers. Should there be a R&D division for our country but the government would say "not enough funds/budget for it".
The time of President Marcos' regime was a golden age for us. Disciplined citizens and flourishing country. Until he was overthrown. The Philippines should trace back their history and learn the concept how did the Philippines flourished back then rather today?
References:
http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2013/08/24/turmoil-in-egypt-learning-lessons-from-the-philippines/
William B. Quandt (1998). Between Ballots and Bullets: Algeria's Transition from Authoritarianism. Washington DC: Brookings Institution Press.