On Politics

Lesson 03 of UCSP

Mary Vianney Sibonga

Teacher
Bellwork

Identify a person whom you recognize as a figure of authority. Discuss the reasons
why you chose the person and what characteristics make him/her a person of
authority.
Politics ought to be the part-time profession of every citizen who
would protect the rights and privileges of free men."

Dwight Eisenhower
What is Politics?
Some definitions of Politics
● Politics is the art of governing mankind by deceiving them (D’Israeli, 1791).
● Politics is the art of identifying and neutralizing the enemy (Ilyin, 1948).
● Politics refers to activities through which people make, preserve, and amend the general rules under
which they live (Atienza et al., 2019).
● Politics, in its broadest sense, is the activity through which people make, preserve and amend the
general rules under which they live (Heywood, 2019).
I. The nature of Politics
Politics as process
● A process of making decisions
○ Collective decisions rather than personal decisions are considered as political.
○ There is conflict and cooperation in making collective decisions.
● Through compromise and consensus, politics is better than the military solution.
○ Politics, in the context of compromise and reconciliation, can be seen as a civilized and civilizing
force, in contrast to bloodshed or the military solution (Heywood, 2019).
○ People are capable of political self-consciousness (Graeber & Wengrow, 2021).
II. Political animals
Politics & People
● We do politics in the society.
○ We are a ‘political animal’ (Aristotle, 2013).
■ Although the label is prone to misinterpretation, political animal means that humans tend to
live together within a political community, a polis, to live a good life.
■ As a political animal, we work and live together to achieve and maintain a just society for
everyone.
Politics & People
● We do politics differently.
○ There are three types of people who do politics: political rulers, professional politicians, and
occasional politicians (Weber, 2020).
■ A political ruler is a leader.
■ A professional politician, either part-time or full time, works for a political ruler. This also
refers to bureaucrats or civil servants who ran the bureaucracy.
■ An occasional politician refers to most of us who are connected to politics (e.g., casting
votes, applauding or booing someone in a political meeting, corresponding to a political
leader).
Politics & People
● We do politics with our government.
○ Our political system is republicanism, we put people in the government who will represent our
interests.
○ Our government has three branches:
■ Legislative (Rule-making; Philippine Congress)
■ Executive (Rule-execution; National and Local Government Units)
■ Judicial (Rule-adjudication; Courts)

The Philippines is a republic with a presidential form of

government wherein power is equally divided among its
three branches.
III. Power
On Power (Weber, 2020)
● A Weberian definition of power:
○ Power is about a probability, not a certainty, that someone will be able to achieve his objective.
● People seek power either as the means to serve other ends (whether selfish or idealistic), or else “for its own sake,”
which means: to enjoy the feeling of prestige that power confers.

Definition: The ability to influence the behavior of others, even if they resist. This influence can be exerted through various
means, including force, coercion, persuasion, control of resources, or simply setting expectations.

Power is the foundation upon which authority and legitimacy are built. It provides the capacity to take action or make
decisions that affect others.

Example: A large corporation may have power due to its financial resources, allowing it to influence government policies or
market trends.
On Power
Example: Power Dynamics in the Philippine Media Landscape

The Philippine media landscape demonstrates various aspects of power dynamics:

● Media Ownership: A small number of corporations own and control a significant portion of the
Philippine media, including television networks, newspapers, and radio stations. This concentration of
ownership grants these corporations considerable power to influence the information disseminated to
the public.
● Government Influence: The government can exert influence on the media through various means,
including regulatory policies, advertising budgets, and access to information. This potential influence
can impact the media's ability to report critically and independently.
Authority & Legitimacy
Authority is a claim for compliance while legitimacy is the acceptance of that claim. (Uphoff, 1989)

Authority is the right or justified claim to use power. It implies that the power being exercised is legitimate
and accepted by those affected.
Example: A police officer has the authority to arrest someone because it's granted by law and the legal
system is recognized as legitimate by most citizens.
Legitimacy is the belief that a person, institution, or action has the rightful and proper authority to exercise
power. It signifies acceptance and compliance from the governed or affected individuals.
Example: A president elected in a fair and democratic process is considered legitimate because the election
process is widely accepted as a just way to choose a leader.
Types of authority (Weber, 2020)
● Hallowed custom/Traditional authority
○ the authority of “how it’s always been.”
● Charisma/Charismatic authority
○ the authority of an exceptional personal gift of grace, and people’s entirely personal devotion and
personal trust in the revelations, heroism, or other leadership qualities of an individual.
● Rule by law/Legal-Rational
○ belief in the validity of legal statutes and professional “competence” based on rational rules; in
other words, one’s willingness to obediently carry out one’s legal duties.
Types of authority
1. TRADITIONAL AUTHORITY
● Definition: Power and leadership are accepted because they have been established by custom and tradition for
a long period. This acceptance often stems from respect for established hierarchies or social norms.

● Example: A monarchy, where hereditary succession dictates leadership, relies on traditional authority. People
accept the monarch's power because it has been the norm for generations.

● Key Points:
Legitimacy is based on inherited positions, customs, and traditions.
Often associated with rituals, symbols, and established social structures.
Can be challenged or questioned if traditions lose their societal significance.
Types of authority
2. CHARISMATIC AUTHORITY

● Definition: Power and leadership are accepted based on the exceptional personal qualities and charisma of an
individual. Followers are inspired by the leader's vision, personality, or perceived special abilities.

● Example: A revolutionary leader who inspires widespread support due to their passionate speeches, charisma,
and perceived connection to a larger cause.

● Key Points:
Legitimacy stems from the leader's personal magnetism and perceived exceptional qualities.
Often relies on emotional appeals and inspiring rhetoric.
Authority can be unstable and dependent on the leader's continued charisma and success.
Types of authority
3. LEGAL-RATIONAL AUTHORITY

● Definition: Power and leadership are accepted because they are established through formal rules, laws, and
procedures. This authority is associated with specific positions in organizations or institutions.

● Example: A president elected in a democracy holds authority because the legal system and established rules
recognize their position as legitimate.

● Key Points:
Legitimacy is based on legal frameworks, rational procedures, and established positions.
Emphasis on following established rules and regulations.
Authority is tied to the position rather than individual personalities.
 Conclusion
It is about making decisions
together.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but a wise man listens to advice.

- Proverbs 12:15 (ESV)

 Reflection
To whom do you mostly ask
for an advice?
References
● Aristotle. (2013). Aristotle’s Politics (C. Lord, Trans.; 2nd ed.). University of Chicago Press.
● Atienza, M. E., Lusterio-Rico, R., Arugay, A., Encinas-Franco, J., & Quilala, D. (2019). Understanding
culture, society, and politics. C&E Publishing.
● Ethridge, M. E. & Handelman, H. (2010). Politics in a changing world: A comparative introduction to
political science (5th ed.). Wadsworth.
● Graeber, D. & Wengrow, D. (2021). The dawn of everything: A new history of humanity. Penguin Books.
● Groff, L. (2021). Matrix. Riverhead Books.
● Heywood, A. (2019). Politics (5th ed.). Macmillan International Higher Education; Red Globe Press.
● Uphoff, N. (1989). Distinguishing power, authority & legitimacy. Polity, 22(2), 295-322.
https://doi.org/10.2307/323483
● Weber, M. (2020). Charisma and disenchantment: The vocation lectures (D. Searls, Trans.). New York
Review Books.
Thank you!