Beyond the Classics: Identifying Gaps and Setting Trajectory in Understanding Political Dynamics in Philippine Local Politics
Authors: Dela Cruz Luisito 
Published: October 2022

Epistemological frames and theoretical underpinnings are developed precisely to give coherence and cognitive rendering to a rather chaotic appearance of the world and reality to man’s consciousness.  These frames offer associations of nuances and concepts that in turn provide cogent systems of understanding, which contribute to man’s unending search for meanings combining as it were his experience of the world and his ability to mentally grasp such experience hence, the Ancient Greek word episteme.  In the social sciences, theoretical frameworks are formulated to provide grounding venues for construing the complexities and specificities of social phenomena toward a better understanding of the social world.  Concomitantly, these frameworks are assessed and evaluated based on their capacity to utter notions and tell stories of the slice of reality they wish to depict. 

It is in this respect that this paper offers a critical examination of the most prevalent theoretical frames and epistemic perspectives, herein referred to as classics, deployed in understanding Philippine political local dynamics.  In light of Philippine contemporary economic, social, cultural, and political developments, the article identifies some gaps and bumps in these ‘classics’ to offer a research trajectory that scholars in the field can rightly consider. Through a synthesis of existing political paradigms applied in local politics, the paper highlighted nuances that are ignored, realities that are not yet explored, and concepts rendered with over-simplistic meanings, suggesting imperatives for modifications, deconstructions, and even reconstructions.

References

Abueva, Jose. “Review on Southern Voting, 1946-1963.” Journal of Southeast Asian Studies 6, special issue 2 (September 1975): 222-224.

Alejo, Albert. Tao Po! Tuloy!: Isang Landas ng Pag-unawa sa Loob ng Tao. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Office of Research and Publications, 1990.

Aquino, Clemen. “Mula sa Kinaroroonan: Kapwa, Kapatiran and Bayan in Philippine Social Science.” Asian Journal of Social Sciences 32, no. 1 (2004): 105-139.

Dela Cruz, Luisito. “Bridging the Discipline and Practice of Public Administration in Philippine Governance: Concerns and Prospects of the National College of Public Administration and Governance.” Scientia 9, no. 2 (2020): 22-38.

_________. “Governing the Philippine Public: The National College of Public Administration and Governance and the Crisis of Leadership without Identity.” Scientia 9, no. 1 (2020): 50-68.

_________. “Philippine Studies: Theory, Methodology, Perspective, and Praxis.” Assumption College Faculty Research Journal 19, no. 2 (2012): 1-18.

Geoghegan, Anne Marie. “Elements of Philippine Politics: Tow View.” Philippine Studies 17, no. 3 (1969): 605-616.

Kerkvliet, Benedict. “Toward a More Comprehensive Analysis of Philippine Politics: Beyond the Patron-Client, Factional Framework.” Journal of Southeast Asian Studies 26, no. 2 (September 1995): 401-419.

Hollnsteiner, Mary. The Dynamics of Power in a Philippine Municipality. Quezon City: Community Development Research Center, University of the Philippines, 1963.

_________. “Reciprocity in the Lowland Philippines.” Philippine Studies 9, no. 3 (1961): 387-413.

Hutchcroft, Paul. Strong Patronage, Weak Parties: The Case for Electoral System Redesign in the Philippines. Australia: Australian National University, 2020.

_________. “Colonial Masters, National Politicos, and Provincial Lords: Central Authority and Local Autonomy in the American Philippines, 1900-1913.” The Journal of Asian Studies 59, no. 2 (May 2000): 277-306.

Lande, Carl. Leaders, Factions, and Parties: The Structure of Philippine Politics. New Haven: Southeast Asian Studies, Yale University, 1965.

_________. “Parties and Politics in the Philippines.” Asian Survey 8, no. 9 (September 1968): 725-747.

_________. “The Philippine Political Party System.” Journal, Southeast Asian History (1967): 19-39.

McCoy, Alfred. Anarchy of Families: State and Family in the Philippines. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila Press, 1994.

Pe-Pua, Rogelio and Marcelino, Elizabeth. “Sikolohiyang Pilipino (Filipino Psychology): A Legacy of Virgilio G. Enriquez.” Asian Journal of Social Psychology 3 (2000): 49-71.

Roces, Mina. “Kinship Politics in Post-War Philippines: The Lopez Family, 1945-1989.” Modern Asian Studies 34, no. 1 (2000): 181-221.

Sidel, John. “Philippine Politics in Town, District, and Province: Bossism in Cavite and Cebu.” The Journal of Asian Studies 56, no. 4 (November 1997): 947-966. 

Tadem, Teresa and Tadem, Eduardo. “Political Dynasties in the Philippines: Persistent Patterns, Perennial Problems.” South East Asia Research 24, no. 3 (2016): 328-340.

Villacorta, Wilfrido. “Western Influences on Social Science Teaching in Philippine Universities.” Philippine Journal of Psychology 13, nos. 1-2 (1980): 65-73.

Villan, Vicente. “Ilub, Unong, at Amok: Pag-Unawa sa Katatagan ng Buut ng mga Bayan isa Himagsikang Pilipino sa Panay, 1896-1898.” DIWA E-Journal 1, blg. 1 (Nobyembre 2013): 57-92.http://www.pssp.org.ph/diwa/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/06-Artikulo-Villan.pdf