Chapter I.

The study of
Politics
 FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS
1. Politics
2. State
3. Government
4. Constitution
 POLITICAL RELATIONSHIP

People who advance their Any association who

welfare manage their affairs

Candidates for public office

People of government who

People who asserts their
attend to their duties
rights

Can you identify what these pictures suggest?

Why is such
relationship political?

What is political in
the first place?
 Man is a social animal. He cannot live in isolation,
because he is not self-sufficient and the natural
instinct to survive compels him to live a
collective life. According to Aristotle, this
collective life necessitates a political
mechanism of rules, regulations and leadership.
An organized society needs some system to
make and enforce rules for orderly behavior in
This led to the evolution of a political
society.
system with elaborate governmental
nstitutions & procedures in each society.
Therefore, man is also a political animal.
Political science is one of the oldest subjects
of study of this political life of man.
 Politics is not only a mere institution of
governance but also a mechanism for
achieving societal goals. Political science is a
social science concerned with the theory and
practice of politics and the description and
analysis of political systems and political
behaviour. It includes matters concerning the
allocation and transfer of power in decision
making, the roles and systems of governance
including governments and international
organizations, political behavior and public
policies.
 Political science is thus a study of the state in
the past, present and future; of political
organization, political processes and political
functions; of political institutions and political
theories.
POLITICAL - The term `political‟, is derived from the
Greek word `Polis‟, which means the city state
According to Greek Philosophers, Politics was a
subject which dealt with all the activities and affairs of
the city state. Their City States were known as `Polis‟.

The term science comes from the Latin word scientia ,

meaning “knowledge”. It can be defined as a
systematic attempt to discover, by means of
observation and reasoning, particular facts about the
world, and to establish laws connecting facts with one
another and, in some cases, to make it possible to
predict future occurrences. 
1. From the traditional point of view we may define
political science as “the study of the state and
government in all their manifestations, aspects and
relationships”. In this sense, politics can be
domestic, national, federal, municipal or
international.
2. Modern political scientists consider politics as a
process centering around power and influence.
They are concerned with not just the state and the
government, but also the study and evaluation of
political activities, political power, processes and
non-governmental institutions.
 For cynic, political science is just a “fools science”, “poli
sigh” (tiring, boring), “folly science”(kalokohan),
pollutical science(nakaka-pollute ng isip), “poli sayang”(
waste of time)(Zaide1996) 

The study of political science enables us to:

•To understand how political system works
•To develop political awareness
•To understand sociopolitical issues and their
implications
•To cultivate responsive citizenship and effective
participation in government
1. POLITICAL THEORY. It is the study of political
views and thoughts or doctrines (ideology) relating
to the state. It includes the ethical and moral
standards of the government.

2. PUBLIC LAW - It is the study of government

powers, duties, its organization, and limits of its
authority in relation to individual rights. It includes
the study of relationships between sovereign
states.
Public law is subdivided into:

Constitutional Law- body of laws resulting from

the interpretation by the high court of a written
constitutional instrument.
Administrative law – body of laws regulating
conduct of government agencies and officials.
International Law – body of laws pertaining to
relations of sovereign states to another state.
3. PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
It deals with the study of methods and techniques
in the management of the state affairs by the three
branches of the government, namely: the executive,
legislative and judiciary.
Politics is the process of decision making and
enforcing the same invites conflict. An association
of people in a political system must revolve on rule,
authority, or power to enforce decision and reduce
conflict.

It antedates the formation of the state.

is the process of decision- making and decision-
enforcing in any group that makes and enforces
rules for its members.(Austin 1993)
 CONCEPT OF STATE

A community of persons more or less numerous,

permanently occupying a definite portion of territory,
having a government of their own, to which the great
body of inhabitants render obedience and enjoying
freedom from external control.
 ELEMENTS OF THE STATE
1. PEOPLE
•inhabitants of the state
•Community of persons sufficient in number & capable of
maintaining the continued existence of the community &
held together by a common bond of law
•Doesn’t matter if they possess diverse racial, cultural or
economic interests
 
2. GOVERNMENT
-The agency or instrumentality, through which the will of the
state is formulated, expressed and realized.(CRUZ, 1991)
-is the body of people and institutions that makes and
enforce laws for society
 ELEMENTS OF THE STATE
3. TERRITORY
fixed portion of the surface of the earth, inhabited by
the people of the state. The territory must not be too
small as to be unable to provide for the needs of
the people; nor should it be too large as to be difficult
to administer.
 
COMPONENTS OF TERRITORY
• terrestrial domain – refers to the land mass
• maritime domain-refers to inland and external waters
• fluvial domain- refers to the land mass beneath the external
territorial waters
• aerial domain- the air space above the land and water.
 SOVEREIGNTY
means the supreme, uncontrollable power, the absolute
right to govern.

The supreme will of the State, the power to make laws,

and enforce them by all the means of coercion it cares
to employ.
TWO ASPECTS OF SOVEREIGNTY
Internal Sovereignty - the power of the state to rule
completely over the people inside its territory, citizens
or aliens.
External Sovereignty – refers to a state that is fully
independent and no foreign power can control its
internal affairs
 SOVEREIGNTY
TWO DOCTRINES EXPRESSED BY THE UN CHARTER

Territorial Integrity - refers to the right of the state to

resist any aggression or intervention in its own affairs
by other foreign states

Territorial Supremacy – refers to the legal authority and

power of a state to impose what it wants to all people,
organizations or associations within its territory without
interference from other foreign states.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF SOVEREIGNTY
• It is permanent – gov’t may come and go

• It is exclusive – no organization can restrict the

power of a state to enforce obedience and exercise
authority over people within its territory

• It is comprehensive – covers all the persons,

citizens, or aliens and all organization
 DISTINGUISHING STATE, GOVERNMNENT, AND
NATION
A state is not the same as a government because:
1.The government is only an element of the state. But state cannot exist
without a government, whereas a government can exist even though there
is no state.
2.The state is an abstraction while the government takes a concrete form.
3. The state is a formal association of people in a political community
bounded by a common goals and aspirations. The government is the body of
people or agency that expresses and carries out the goals of the state.
4. A state is more permanent than government. It exist as long as its
sovereign power can be exercise freely. A government may be replaced and
changed from time to time but not a state.
5. The power of the state is whole, absolute and inherent to it as a sovereign
entity. On the other hand, the powers of the government are normally
defined, delegated, and limited by either tradition or constitution.
 DISTINGUISHING STATE, GOVERNMNENT, AND
NATION
A state is not the same as a nation because:

•A state is a legal or political concept. A nation is a

racial or ethnic concept referring to a group of people
with common culture, language, and history.

•A state may be composed of several nations, whereas

a nation may be composed of several states which are
independent from one another.
1. NATURAL THEORY - According to this theory, the formation of the state results from
man’s natural inclination to associate and interact

Man is by nature a Political animal

Men gather, group, and associate naturally

Association and interaction of men spring from the inherent need to satisfy a common
need (Belongingness, food, security, services)

These needs result to interdependence with one

another and evolve into a relationship in which an individual or a group leads or
exercises rule, power, or power over another group.
 
This relationship of people established the concept that the essence of social
existence of man in politics. Hence, man is a political animal
2. The Divine Theory
This theory holds the view that the state is of divine creation and its rulers
are of God’s chosen ones.

3. The Force Theory

Explains the formation of state from two perspective:
States are formed by conquest, force or coercion
The force is good by itself, which is very important to put orders in
society.

4. The Social Contract Theory

This theory explains that states were formed deliberately and voluntary
agreement among the people.

5. The Patriarchal Theory

According to this theory, state evolved from families
GOVERNMENT
 is the body of people and institution that make and
enforce laws for society.(Austin1993)
 is an agency or instrumentality through which the will of
the people is formulated, expressed, and realized.
(Cruz1991).
 BASIC DUTIES OF GOVERNMENT

Ensure domestic peace and order

Establish the defense of the state and preservation of
independence
Promote physical, social, and economic well-being of the
people
Promotion of General welfare, public safety, and public
morality - Secure economic development
 APPROACHES IN PROMOTING GENERAL WELFARE

1. Laissezfaire approach
literally means to ''let alone''
government should allow natural order to take place such as operation to market
(law of supply and demand)

2. Socialist Approach
private ownership of business and industries is limited
government plays important role in the economy

3. Welfare State approach –

A combination of laizzez and socialist approaches.
Monarchy - means a rule of one person. Government
powers are vested to one virtuous and just person.
Aristocracy - It is the rule of the most virtuous,
intelligent, and most enlightened few members of
the elite class of society.
Polity - people are given the right to participate in
selecting their leaders, in making laws, and in
decision-making of the government.
NUMBER OF CORRUPT FORMS
LEGITIMATE FORMS
PERSONS Rule in the interest
Rule in the interest of all
WHO RULE of selves

ONE MONARCHY TYRANNY

A FEW ARISTOCRACY OLIGARCHY

MANY POLITY MOBOCRACY

AS TO THE NUMBER OF PERSONS EXERCISING
SOVEREIGN POWERS

1. Monarchy - it is the rule of one person usually called a

monarch. It may be a king, queen, emperor, empress.

TWO KINDS OF MONARCHY

A. Absolute Monarchy - He is the chief executive, legislator, and

judge at the same time. There is no limitation on his power.
B. Constitutional Monarchy - the power of the monarch is limited
by the constitution. He only exercise the executive power. Most
of the remaining monarchies today are just a symbol of heads
of state.
2. Democracy -is the rule of the people (from the Greek word
Demos, meaning people, andKratos , meaning to rule)
- "government of the people, by the people, and for the people" by
ABRAHAM LINCOLN

TWO KINDS OF DEMOCRACY

1. Direct Democracy - the people directly take part in the decision making
process of the government.

PEOPLE LAW MAKING PROCESS

2. Representative or Republican Democracy - people elect their

representatives who will exercise the sovereign powers of the state.

PEOPLE ELECTED LAW MAKING

As to extent of powers by the central
government

1. Unitary government – one in which the control of

national and local affairs is exercised by the
central or national government.
2. Federal government – one in which the powers of
government are divided between two sets of
organs, one for national affairs and the other for
local affairs.
As to relationship between the executive and the
legislative branches of the government

1. Parliamentary government – one in which the

state confers upon the legislature the power to
terminate the tenure of office of the real
executive.
2. Presidential government – one in which the
state makes the executive independent of the
legislature as regards his tenure, policies and
acts.
GOVERNMENT
of the
PHILIPPINES
in
TRANSITION
Barangay
Datu
Social classes
Early laws
Ferdinand Magellan (1521)
Miguel Lopez de Legazpi (1566)
Katipunan government (1892)
Biak na Bato Republic (1897)
Dictatorial government (1898)
“Philippine Independence at Kawit, Cavite”
Revolutionary government (1898)
First Philippine Republic (1898)
“Malolos Constitution”
Treaty of Paris
Military government (1898)
Civil government (1901)
Commonwealth government (1934)
“Tydings Mc Duffie Law”
Japanese Military Administration (1942)
The Philippine Executive Commission
The Japanese-sponsored Republic of the
Philippines (1943)
1. Revolutionary
2. De jure/de facto
3. Constitutional
4. Democratic
5. Powers
6. Provisional Constitution
is a written instrument by which the fundamental
powers of the government are established,
limited and defined by which these powers are
distributed among the several departments/
branches for the benefit of the people.
1. Supreme/Fundamental Law Constitution
is binding on all citizens and all organs of the
government. It is the law to which all other laws
must conform.

2. Basic Framework
Constitution is providing system to the
government; assigning powers and duties to
different government departments/branches;
protecting the rights of individuals against
arbitrary actions of the government.
As to form As to contents
1. Brief 1. Constitution of

2. Broad government
3. Definite 2. Constitution of
liberty
3. Constitution of
sovereignty
 CONSTITUTION STATUTE

 a legislation direct  a legislation from the

from the people people’s representatives
 merely states the  provides the details of
general framework of the subject it treats
the law
 not merely to meet  to meet existing
existing conditions conditions only
but to govern the
future
 the supreme or  Law born-out from the
fundamental law Constitution
Malolos Constitution
 September 15, 1898, Congress met in Malolos,
Bulacan and framed the Malolos Constitution
 lasted only for a short period of time from
January 23, 1899 to March 23, 1901
1935 Constitution
 March 24, 1934 – Pres. Roosevelt authorized the
calling of a constitutional convention to draft a
constitution of the Philippines
 March 23, 1935 – Pres. Roosevelt approved the
Constitution.
 May 14, 1935 – Filipinos ratified the Constitution
1973 Constitution
March 16, 1967 – Congress authorized the
holding of a constitutional convention
June 1, 1971 – the convention started to rewrite
the Constitution
November 30, 1972 – the proposed Constitution
was signed
September 21, 1972 – Pre. Marcos placed the
entire country under martial law
January 17, 1973 – Filipinos ratified the
Constitution
Freedom Constitution

February 22-25, 1986 - 4 day people power revolt

March 25, 1986 - Freedom Constitution was
promulgated
1987 Constitution
April 23, 1986 - Constitutional Commission was
created to draft the proposed Constitution
June 2, 1986 - the Constitutional Commission
convened
October 15, 1986 - draft of the Constitution was
finished
February 2, 1987 - the 1987 Constitution was
ratified by the people on a plebiscite
Political system is any persistent pattern of human
relationship that involves, to a significant extent,
control, influence, power, or authority (Ibid, 1991).