Perillo, Gela Kyla Marie G.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP)
Perillo, Gela Kyla Marie G.

BSA 1-7
GEED 20023, Politics, Governance and Citizenship
Christopher C. Mantillas, Ph. D
Final Examination for Politics, Governance, and Citizenship
1. Why is it important to study politics? How is this relevant to your career and to your national
identity?
Politics is seen by many as the government and the laws being made, but politics is more
complex and broader than that. Every decision carries the weight of the lives of many people. Every
law that is made will have an effect on how our society works. Every vote will either make people
or break people. One reason why it is important to study politics is because politics helps you know
and understand your rights. For example, it is written in the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of
the Philippines, Article III, our freedom of expression which allows us to express our opinions
without the interference of the government. With the help of politics, we will have a thorough
understanding on why the legislators made that, consequently, we will exercise our rights properly.
Another reason is because politics enables us to check our beliefs and biases, pay attention to what
we are processing, and help us respond to and take action to the world. We have this belief that we
do not have a say in the running of our country, but we should know that we do have a real say.
Politics will let you realize that every actions and steps that we take contributes to our country.
From doing our job, buying products, transportation, and even the moment we decide to choose for
the leader that will cater us. As an aspiring accountant and a Filipino, I believe that it is relevant in
a way that we live and work to serve the people and our country. It is our responsibility to know
our rights and what is happening in our country in order to know what we can do or give for the
development of our country and for the welfare of its people.
2. What are your thoughts about the broader definitions of politics? Can you cite some examples
of how politics can serve as a remedy for conflicts in a given group, organization or country?
Please discuss your answer.
Politics, although considered as a study, it is generally defined as the activities related to

the governance of a country. The conflicts that resulted from the rival opinions and opposing
interests gave rise to the other definition of politics. It is defined as a method of resolving conflict.
This definition dismisses the focus of politics to the state and defines it as a certain process. For
example, the conflict between China and Philippines in relation to the maritime entitlements and
status of features in the South China Sea. The International Court of Justice let both countries
exercise their rights to claim the territory, and give their reasoning to their claims. In the end, the
International Court issued a unanimous award in Philippines. The process involved compromising,
conciliation, and negotiation, through these means the issue was resolved, and these things are all
necessary when it comes to politics. Another example, in the barangay, when there is a conflict
between a plaintiff and defendant. Usually, they end up with a certain punishment and
compensation. If there was no actions taken by the local government, they would have ended up
with the use of violence. I think the reason why it is seen as a process of resolving because people
are diverse and they have unlimited wants and needs but we have scarce resources, hence, a lot of
conflicts. That makes politics as an unavoidable feature of the human condition.
3. Why is sovereignty an important element of the state? Please discuss your answer. You may
also include examples of sovereignty issues from around the world.
Sovereignty is defined as “the full power and right of a governing body to govern itself,
without any interference from outside sources or bodies.” In other words, it is the right and power
of a state to rule itself without the intervention of other states, organizations, etc. in the process of
decision making of the state. Sovereignty is considered as an essential element of the state because
it makes a state independent, they make and control their own policies, and they are free from
colonialism or invasion. For example, the Philippines is colonized, and we are under the govern of
the colonizers for how many years. They made the people work for their own gain. They were
oppressed, their rights were repressed. The Philippines was operating not for its own but for the
colonizers. On July 4, 1946, the Republic of the Philippines was granted full independence. We
have our own leader, and we established our own policies. In the present, we are freely exercising
our rights, and our government seeks to ensure what is best for the country and its people. We
should protect our sovereignty for the sake of eternal life and strengthening of our state, and for the
of the happiness and easement of our nation as well as for the sake of our lives, honor, and future.
4. Is democracy the same as a republic? Please discuss your answer.
Although, democracy and republic both have their citizens empowered to take part in a
representational political system which allows them elect officials to represent and protect their
interests, democracy is not the same as republic. The main difference lies on the extent to which
the people control the process of law making under each form of government. In democracy, the
power is held by the whole population, while in republic it is held by individual citizens. Under
democracy, a voting majority has almost limitless power to make laws, and the minorities have
hardly any protection from the will of the majority. Rights can be overridden by the will of the
majority. This form of government is ruled by the majority. On the other hand, in republic, the
elected representative is the one who makes laws according to the restraints of the constitution, and
this form of government is ruled by these laws. Moreover, a constitution protects the right of all
individuals from the will of majority.
5. There was an instance in the past when a presidential candidate called for the abolition of
congress. What are your thoughts about this proposal? Do you agree with this point of view?
Why or why not?
I was quite shocked by the proposal of the abolishment of congress however, it also piqued
my interest. Congress is the national legislative body of a nation, and it is divided into two houses;
Senate and The House of Representatives. The congress makes law that impact our everyday lives.
They also raise and provide public money and supervise its proper outlay. It serves as the voice of
the people. It does have the most important power. I agree with that point view, I think we should
abolish the congress if there is a need to abolish it. In the Philippines, Covid-19 and its off-shoot
problems among our people are remarkably huge problems for the nation to face and solve. What
our country need is money, yet, there is a recent approval (by the Senate) of a bill to create
additional legislative districts to broaden the blown up membership of Congress which made our
tapped out government further away from having the money needed for effective responses.
Democracy works for the people, not against them. A genuine and working democracy just have to
do what wisdom dictates in consideration of its own people’s diversity and its nation’s unique state
of affairs. Democracy is not end itself, but rather a means with end in mind to serve its ideals. The
Philippines doesn’t need to shift to another form of government to overcome the challenges and to
rise, it just needs a shift in the standard of our officials to govern the country well.
References:
Mortensen, A. (2016). The Importance of Politics. Retrieved from
https://amp.centredaily.com/opinion/article69564172.html
Longley, R. (2020). Republic vs. Democracy: What Is the Difference? Retrieved from
https://www.thoughtco.com/republic-vs-democracy-4169936
(2021). Abolish Congress. Retrieved from https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/03/18/opinion/letters-to-the-

editor/abolish-congress-2/852713/amp

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Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP)

Perillo, Gela Kyla Marie G.

Final Examination for Politics, Governance, and Citizenship

Politics, although considered as a study, it is generally defined as the activities related to

4. Is democracy the same as a republic? Please discuss your answer.

(2021). Abolish Congress. Retrieved from https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/03/18/opinion/letters-to-the-

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