• Is a form of government in which people choose leaders by
voting. A country is democratic if every one of its citizens is
treated equally and has equal rights.
• Democratic government is a government in which the
supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them
directly or indirectly through a system of representation
usually involving periodically held free elections. In short, it
is government by the people: rule of the majority.
also
known
as
humanitarian
intervention, is when a country or group
of countries intervenes in the internal
affairs of another country in order to
protect civilians or promote human
rights and democracy. The basic idea is
to use military force or other means to
prevent or stop severe human rights
abuses, such as genocide, ethnic
cleansing, or crimes against humanity.
Rationale
Types of Intervention
Legal Basis
Controversy
The primary justification for democratic
intervention is the belief that all humans
have certain universal rights that should be
protected, and when a government fails to
protect these rights or actively violates them,
other nations have a moral obligation to
intervene.
Military
Intervention:
- This is the most
direct form, where
military force is
used to protect
civilians or enforce
international law.
Non-Military
Intervention:
• This can include
diplomatic pressure,
economic sanctions,
peacekeeping
missions, or support
for opposition
groups.
International law does not clearly define the
legality of democratic intervention.The United
Nations Charter prohibits the use of force against
the territorial integrity or political independence
of any state, unless authorized by the Security
Council or in self-defense. However, there is debate
over whether interventions for humanitarian
purposes fall under these exceptions.
Democratic intervention is highly
controversial. Critics argue that it
can be used as a cover for
imperialism or that it violates the
principle of state sovereignty. The
Iraq War, for example, was justified
by some as a humanitarian
intervention to remove a brutal
dictator (Saddam Hussein) and
promote democracy, but it was also
criticized as an abuse of power by
the United States and its allies.
The idea behind democratic intervention is that democratic
nations have a responsibility to protect and promote democratic
values globally, even if it means intervening in the affairs of
other countries. However, it is a controversial concept, with
debates about when and how such interventions should occur,
concerns about sovereignty, and questions about the
effectiveness of outside forces in promoting democracy.
• are governed by a three-branch system of
government. The country is a democracy, with
a president who is directly elected by the
people and serves as both the head of state
and the head of government.
• The Philippine Congress is bicameral,
comprising the Senate and the House of
Representatives.
• The Senate is elected at-large, while the House
has district-based representation. Congress
handles legislative matters. The Supreme Court
oversees the judiciary and has review powers
over other governmental and administrative
decisions.
• Elections occur every three years, with the
president, vice-president, and Senators
serving six-year terms. Plurality voting,
including plurality-at-large, determines
the election results for positions with
multiple winners, such as the Senate.
• A mixed-member proportional
representation system is used to elect a
minority of the House of Representatives.
• Local government units have revenuegenerating powers granted by a
decentralization code. The administrative
structures at the local level aim to promote
civil society participation.
The Philippine legal system combines Spanish civil law
and American common law, with Sharia law applicable
to certain Muslim-related matters. Political dynasties,
powerful families with concentrated support, exist
despite being prohibited by the Constitution. These
dynasties extend beyond politics into business and
cultural activities. The debate continues regarding
their impact on Philippine society and the association
with corruption. Notable dynasties include the Marcos
and Aquino families.
The Philippine executive branch is led by the President,
who is directly elected for a single six-year term. The
Vice President, elected separately and limited to two
consecutive terms, may come from a different political
party. The President holds executive power and
appoints a Cabinet, with ultimate decision-making
authority.
The Congress is bicameral, consisting of the Senate and
the House of Representatives. The Senate has 24
members elected through plurality-at-large voting,
serving six-year terms with a limit of two consecutive
terms. The House of Representatives has 311 members,
with 20% elected via party-list system and the
remainder representing legislative districts.
Representatives serve three-year terms, with a
maximum of three consecutive terms.
• The Supreme Court leads the judiciary and acts as the highest
court, with the power to determine the constitutionality of laws. It
oversees the other branches of government and can override
decisions made by political and administrative bodies.
• Local government in the Philippines is divided into provinces,
cities, municipalities, and barangays (villages). These local
government units have autonomy, headed by captains, mayors, or
governors, with legislative bodies known as Sangguniang
Barangay, Sangguniang Bayan or Sangguniang Panlungsod, and
Sangguniang Panlalawigan, respectively.
Political issues are problems and
opportunities that get attention such that
they influence political choices such as
platforms, policies, votes, donations,
political participation and protests.
Drug Policy:
The government's
approach to
combating illegal
drugs, characterized
by a controversial
anti-drug campaign,
has sparked debates
regarding human
rights, rule of law,
and public health.
Territorial Disputes:
The Philippines is
involved in
territorial disputes
in the South China
Sea, particularly
regarding competing
claims with China
over various
maritime features.
• Political activism encompasses citizens'
voluntary efforts to influence political
decisions and outcomes at any level.
• Political activism in the Philippines
encompasses a wide range of activities
aimed at promoting political change,
addressing social issues, and influencing
government policies.
Protests and
demonstrations:
Citizens organize
rallies, marches,
and protests to
express dissent,
advocate for
reforms, or oppose
government
policies.
Advocacy campaigns:
Activists and
advocacy groups work
to raise awareness
about specific issues
such as human rights
violations,
environmental
degradation,
corruption, or social
justice.
Community
organizing:
Grassroots
organizations
mobilize communities
to address local
concerns, such as land
rights, access to basic
services, or disaster
preparedness.
Civil disobedience:
Some activists
engage in acts of
civil disobedience,
such as sit-ins,
boycotts, or
nonviolent
resistance, to
challenge unjust
laws or policies.