Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region VI - Western Visayas
Schools Division of Iloilo
P.D. MONFORT NATIONAL SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
P.D. Monfort South, Dumangas, Iloilo

Philippine Politics and Governance (2nd Semester)

Quarter 3: Module 1
S.Y. 2024 - 2025

At the end of the module, you should be able to:

• explain the concept, relationship and importance of politics, governance and government;
1. define politics, governance, and government;
2. differentiate politics, governance, and government; and
3. recognize the relationship and importance of politics, governance, and government.

POLITICS
comes from the Greek word “polis” which means “city-state.”
as the science of government
It is a systematic body of knowledge that deals with the government and regulation, maintenance and
development, and defense and augmentation of the state.
It also deals with the protection of the rights of its citizens, safeguarding and enhancement of morals, and
harmony and peace of human relations.

politics as the art

It involves the exercise of control or authority within the society through the creation and enforcement of
consensus arrived at by the leaders.
It involves the process through which the government skillfully addresses the needs of the society by carefully
allocating benefits, rewards, and penalties.

― Politics is an activity that involves the interaction of people whose relationship is characterized by conflict and
cooperation and come together to solve such disagreements through binding solutions. (Heywood, 2013, History of
Politics)
(However, politics is no Utopian solution. These are disparities that remain as such.)

Studying Politics - The Different Views about Politics C Heywood, 2007)

A. Politics as the art of government

Politics is viewed as an art or practical application of knowledge for attaining a particular objective. Considered
as the classical definition of politics: the art of government or exercise of control in society through making and
enforcement of collective or group decisions.
➢ This view was developed in Ancient Greece. Remember, the word politics is derived from the ancient Greek word
polis, meaning city-state. Politics can be studied by referring it to the affairs or concerns of the polis or its modern
meaning what concerns the state.
➢ If you are studying politics, you are studying the government. Two aspects are under this setting: Government
personnel or the people in government and government machinery or the different government departments, offices,
or agencies.
➢ Politics happens in cabinet official meetings, legislative chambers, and government departments.
➢ To study politics is to study the exercise of authority defined as legitimate power. Legitimate means it is acceptable
for the people.
➢ Politics is engaged in by a limited and specific group, notably politicians, civil servants and lobbyists.

B. Politics as public affairs

It is important that you remember the distinction between ‘the political’ and ‘the non-political’. It coincides
with the division between what is public and what is private. If it happens in the public sphere, it is political.
The institutions of the state (the government offices, departments and agencies) can be regarded as ‘public’
because they are responsible for the collective organization of community life. Moreover, they are funded at the
public’s expense through taxation.
In contrast, civil society consists of institutions such as private businesses, trade unions, clubs, community
groups and so on that are ‘private’ in the sense that they are set up and funded by individual citizens to satisfy their
own interests, rather than those of the larger society.

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C. Politics as compromise and consensus
Politics is seen as a particular means of resolving conflict: that is, by compromise, conciliation and negotiation,
rather than through the use of force and naked power.
a ‘political’ solution implies peaceful debate and arbitration, as opposed to what is often called a ‘military’
solution
society is characterized by consensus and not by irreconcilable conflict. Disagreements that exist can be resolved
without resort to intimidation and violence.
Members of society should be encouraged to respect politics as an activity, and they should be prepared to
engage in the political life of their own community.

D. Politics as power
present in all social activities, at every level of social interaction; it can be found within our families and amongst
our small groups of friends just as much as amongst nations and on the international or global stage.
is in essence the power or ability to achieve a desired end, through any way possible
power is usually thought of as a relationship: that is, as the ability to influence the behavior of others.

Remember, politics may be defined as: the art of government, public affairs, compromise and consensus, and power.

Basic Concepts of Politics

1. Order - is the central to the study of politics because it shows different components of human society.
STRUCTURES OF ORDER:
(a) Community - refers to an association of individuals who share a common identity.
(b) Government - exists primarily for the maintenance and perpetuation of the community. It possesses “sovereignty” to
successfully assert its claim to rule. It is “legitimate” if its claim to rule (authority) is willingly accepted.
(c) State - refers to 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.

2. Power - the main source of reign of the Government and the possession to govern or rule the state.
It maintains the different social orders. The creation and perpetuation of different social orders are brought
about by the exercise of power and the concomitant establishment of structures. Aside from physical force, other
sources of power includes: wealth, culture, diplomatic relations, and intelligence.

3. Justice - the process of legalizing and penalizing the abuse of political power and power to rule. Justice is in effect if
the government gives what people need, protect and respect their rights, and put the common good over and above the
personal interest of the leaders.
It is produced due to the correct exercise of power. There is justice when in the exercise of its power and
authority, the government gives what the people need, protect and respect their rights, and put the common good over
and above the personal interest of the leaders.

TWO APPROACHES to the STUDY of POLITICS:

 POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY – It is the traditional approach in which the primary goal is to understand the essence or the
truth about politics.

 POLITICAL SCIENCE – It is the empirical/objective approach in which it places little emphasis on abstract and normative
question and concentrates on a dispassionate and objective of the realities of politics.
The importance of studying governance includes the people, most specially the citizens who will be aware of
the need for good governance. Consequently, such awareness should encourage them to take action. For the
achievement of continued empowerment and sustainable development, they have to learn how to fight for their rights
through proper awareness on how the Philippine Governance works.

Characteristics of Politics:

1. It denotes a social activity. Politics is the interaction of individuals. According to Aristotle, it is the master science
through which individuals collectively set structure, purpose, and ideals in their lives. It does not emerge from the
activities of a single individual but from that of many.

2. It is about conflict and cooperation. Conflict is caused by the diversity among individuals. It means that people differ
in the way they perceive things and disagree in almost every conceivable aspect of life. While cooperation is motivated
by the people’s common goal of achieving a happy life. It is true that people argue and fight, but it is also undeniable

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that they desire for peace. The process of overcoming conflict to attain order and maintain that order is politics.
Essentially, politics is conflict resolution.

3. It is the creation, maintenance, and amendment of societal norms or rules. Politics as conflict resolution aims at
establishing order in the society. However, the basis of order today is law. It is law that serves as the undisputed order-
establishing institution. Modern states and international organizations rely on the adequacy and efficacy of their laws to
meet the demands of the people to attain domestic and international peace. Thus, in its broad sense, politics means
conflict resolution through the creation, maintenance, and amendment of societal norms or rules.

GOVERNANCE
came from the Latin verb “gubernare,” or from the Greek word “kubernaein,” which means “to steer.”
- refers to the manner of steering or governing, or of directing and controlling, a group of people or a state.
- the exercise of power or authority by political leaders for the well-being of their country’s citizens or subjects.

- the process whereby societies or organizations make their important decisions, determine who has voice, who is
engaged
in the process and how account is rendered (Institute on Governance, IG, 2006)
-“the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented (or not implemented)”

(Governance is a complex process where some sectors of the society wield power and enact and promulgate public
policies. These public policies directly affect human and institutional interactions as well as economic and social
development. It is important to demand respect and cooperation from the citizens and the state, thus, the power
exercised by the participating sectors of the society is always for the common good. A greater portion of governance is
the proper and effective utilization of resources.)

Governance includes three sectors: the public sector (state actors and institutions), the private sector (households and
companies), and the civil society (non-governmental organizations) – are private in nature but have public functions or
objectives. These three sectors are said to work hand in hand in the process of governance.

GOVERNANCE VS POLITICS

Relationships/Similarities: Governance is related to politics.

Politics is often defined as the art of governance.
Politics talks about governments, institutions, power, Governance deals with the public sector, power
order, and the ideals of justice. structures, equity, and ideals of public administration.
Distinctions: Politics is broader than governance
Study of politics demands the concept of the “good life” Study of governance is generally related to the concept
and the “ideal society,” which are very broad because it of democracy, and on how the government and the civil
includes a web of subjects and every possible form of society arrive at a decision in meeting their needs.
government.

Indicators of Good Governance

1. Participation. It means active involvement of all affected and interested parties in the decision-making process. It
requires an enabling environment wherein pertinent information is effectively disseminated and people could respond
in an unconstrained and truthful manner. It also means gender equality, recognizing the vital roles of both men and
women in decision-making.
2. Rule of Law. Democracy is essentially the rule of law. It is through the law that people express their will and exercise
their sovereignty. The government of law and not of men is the underlying democratic principle which puts no one
above the law. Good democratic governance is fundamentally adherence to the rule of law. It demands that the people
and the civil society render habitual obedience to it and requires laws to be responsive to the needs of the society.

3. Effectiveness and Efficiency. Good governance requires that the institutions, processes, and actors deliver and meet
the necessities of the society in a way that available resources are utilized well. If different actors meet the needs of the
society, there is effective governance. If the valuable resources are utilized, without wasting or underutilizing any of
them, there is efficient governance. Effectiveness (meeting the needs) and efficiency (proper utilization of resources)
must necessarily go together to ensure the best possible results for the community.
4. Transparency. It means that people are open to information regarding decision-making process and the
implementation of the same. Information on matters of public concern are made available to the citizens or those who
will be directly affected. Transactions involving public interests must be fully disclosed and made accessible to the
people. It is anchored on the democratic right to information and right to access of the same. Transparency is necessary
not just from government transactions but also in those transactions of the civil society and private sector imbued with
public interests.

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5. Responsiveness. It means that institutions and processes serve all stakeholders in a timely and appropriate manner.
Actors and structures of governance easily give genuine expression to the will or desire of the people. The interests of
all citizens must be well protected in a prompt and appropriate manner so that each of them can appreciate and take
part in the process of governance.
6. Equity and Inclusiveness. It means that all the members of the society, especially the most vulnerable ones or at the
grassroots level, must be taken into consideration in policy-making. Everyone has a stake in the society and no one
should feel alienated from it. Those who belong to the grassroots level must not only be the subject of legislation but
must be given the opportunity to participate in decision or policy making.
7. Consensus Oriented. Governance is consensus oriented when decisions are made after taking into consideration the
different viewpoints of the actors of the society. Mechanisms for conflict resolution must be in place because conflict
may arise from competing interests of the actors. To meet a consensus, a strong, impartial, and flexible mediation
structure must be established to serve the best interest of the whole community.
8. Accountability. It means answerability or responsibility for one’s action. It is based on the principle that every person
or group is responsible for their actions most especially when their acts affect public interest. The actors have an
obligation to explain and answer the consequences of decisions and actions they have made on behalf of the
community it serves.

GOVERNMENT
- is defined as an institution or collection of institutions through which a sovereign society makes and
implements law which enable people to live with each other or which are imposed upon the people forming
the society by those who have the authority of prescribing them.
- is a group of people who rule or run the administration of a country. In other words, it may be said that a
government is the body of representatives that governs and controls the state at a given time. Government
is the medium through which the power of the state is employed.

Government has the following main forms:

1. Monarchy. It is a kind of government in which one person (king/queen/emperor/sultan) noted for his noble lineage
and honor is vested with the right to rule and control the society. It turns into a “Tyranny” when the person vested with
the right to rule pursues his/her own selfish interest instead of the common good.
2. Aristocracy. It is another kind of government in which a selected few who are known for their wealth and education
have the right to rule. It becomes an “Oligarchy” when this selected few pursue their own personal interests.
3. Democracy. It refers to the rule by the people, for the people, and of the people. It becomes “Demagoguery” or
“Mobocracy when people’s desires ruled instead of reason and law.

GOVERNMENT VS GOVERNANCE
Government Governance
• Associated with “control and command or domination” • Associated with “decentralization and relational
management”
• Command over the affairs of the people • Decentralization of power and the need for inter-
sectoral management
• Central institution which wields power over its subjects • Government cannot do everything for the people
• State should not only rely on government to survive but
also on other sectors of the society
Definition Definition
• System or group of people governing an organized • Process of governing the various ways through which
community, a state, and other entities social life is coordinated
Purpose Purpose
• Establish laws, maintain order, and provide security • Ensure safe policies and its implementation
• Protect citizens from external threats, and promote the • Relates processes of interaction and decision-making
general welfare by providing public services among the instrumentality of the government.
Forms Types
• Monarchy • Public governance
• Aristocracy • Private governance
• Democracy • Global governance
• Republicanism • Nonprofit governance
• Federalism • Corporate governance
Functions Functions
Foreign diplomacy • Determine the objectives of the organization
• Military defense • Determine the ethics of the organization
• Maintenance of domestic order • Create the culture of the organization
• Administration of justice • Design and implement the governance framework for
• Protection of civil liberties the organization
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 • Provision for and regulation of the conduct of periodic • Ensure accountability by management
elections • Ensure compliance by the organization
• Provision for public goods and services
• Promotion of economic growth and development
• Operation of social- insurance programs to prevent
future poverty
• Operation of social-welfare programs to alleviate
existing poverty

Performance Task: (50 pts.)

Make a two or three liner Slogan in a long size bondpaper with the theme focusing on the Indicators of Good
Governance. (Landscape Orientation). Make your work neat and clean. You may do it Manually or Computer printed.
Note: Medium to be used in slogan is Hiligaynon or Mother Tongue.

Example:

Sa malimpyo kag tampad nga gobyerno

Maayo nga buwas-damlag ang sigurado

References
Bachrach, P. and Baratz, M. Two Faces of Power, American Political Science Review, 56, 947-52. 1962.
Christopher, Darlene. “A Harder Focus on the Global Classroom.” Training + Development. February 2011, 30-31.
Connor, Walker "A Nation is a Nation, is a State, is an Ethnic Group, is a...". Ethnic and Racial Studies. 1 (4): 377–400.
doi:10.1080/01419870.1978.999324(1978).
Curtis, M. (Ed.). The Great Political Theories. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. 1981.
Curtis, M. (Ed.). The Great Political Theories (Vol. 2). New York: HarperCollins Publishers. 2008.
Dahl, R.A. The Concept of Power, Behavioral Science, 2, 3, 201-215 (1957).
Editors, SparkNote. SparkNotes. Retrieved from SparkNotes Website: https://www.sparknotes.com/us-government-and-
politics/political-science/political-ideologies-and-styles/(2018, November).
Gaus, Gerald, Courtland, Shane, D., & Schmidtz, D. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from Stanford
Encyclopedia of Philosophy Web site: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/liberalism/ (2018, November.)
George Modelski; Tessaleno Devezas; William R. Thompson (20 December 2007).
Gerard Delanty; Chris Rumford. "Political Globalization". In George Ritzer. The
Blackwell Companion to Globalization (15 April 2008)
Tabajen, Rhene C. and Pulma, Erlinda B. Philippines Politics and Governance: JFS Publishing Services, 2016
Villanueva, Prince Aian G. DIWA Senior High School Series: Philippine Politics and Governance e-Module: DIWA Learning
Systems Inc., 2017
Maguicad, Rogelio “Politics and Governance”, Rex Bookstore, 2012

Prepared by:

FRANNIE S. PALABRICA
Subject Teacher