dynasties remain influential in the Asian politics
Philippines is all set to elect its 15th President. The country
has scheduled to hold the Presidential, legislative and local election on May 10, 2010. A formal colony of Spain and the United States, Philippines has lot of hope from the upcoming President as the country has been hit hard by global recession. It further aims to revive its economy with a fresh election and a new president. Unfortunately, the reality doesn’t seem to be as glassy, as people of the country are expecting nothing drastic out of this election as the same old corrupt and greedy dynasties are going to end up running this beautiful south Asian country.
Family dynasties bind the politics of this land. Since its independence in 1946, politics has been dominated by old, powerful and rich dynasties. For example, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the incumbent President is from the very influential Diosdado Macapagal dynasty. Her father Diosdado Macapagal had ruled Philippines from 1961 to 1965. And very surprisingly, her two sons are also following her. They are already members of the nation’s lower house of parliament. What is more horrifying is that there are estimated 250 political families’ nationwide occupying positions at all level- at least one political family in every province, according to the Centre for People Empowerment in Governance, a nonprofit group that examines people participation in politics. It further says that 160 of the 265 members of Congress are from these clans. The Philippine Centre for Investigative Journalism also says that two-third of the members of Congress are from political dynasties. The Isabela province was dominated by Dy dynasty for decades. The influence of dynasties is so much so that it reminds the common Philippinos of the reintroduction of the electoral politics that was there in America in the 20th century where only the wealthy used to control the government. However, if closely viewed, it is not the case of just Philippines; there are many other Asian countries where politics is dominated by a few dynasties. The outgoing Prime Minister of Japan, Taro Aso is the grandson of a former PM while his wife is also the daughter of a former premier. Moreover, a quarter of parliamentarians and 40% of the legislators of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) belong to influential political families. The same is the case in Bangladesh, China, India, North Korea, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
However, the issue is not that removing dynasties will guarantee good governance and transparency but that would certainly ensure and encourage the entry of fresh and new talents in the politics. This would certainly break the age-old bureaucracy- perhaps for a better democracy. Though, fortunately, Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III is expected to make his debut in the upcoming Presidential election and seems to have been gaining popular support, unfortunately he is not being promoted for his charms but because of sympathy he has gained for his mother, Corazon Aquino, who died last month, who was Philippines’ democracy icon who overthrew dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Well, can we expect change here?
For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009
Philippines is all set to elect its 15th President. The country
has scheduled to hold the Presidential, legislative and local election on May 10, 2010. A formal colony of Spain and the United States, Philippines has lot of hope from the upcoming President as the country has been hit hard by global recession. It further aims to revive its economy with a fresh election and a new president. Unfortunately, the reality doesn’t seem to be as glassy, as people of the country are expecting nothing drastic out of this election as the same old corrupt and greedy dynasties are going to end up running this beautiful south Asian country.Family dynasties bind the politics of this land. Since its independence in 1946, politics has been dominated by old, powerful and rich dynasties. For example, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the incumbent President is from the very influential Diosdado Macapagal dynasty. Her father Diosdado Macapagal had ruled Philippines from 1961 to 1965. And very surprisingly, her two sons are also following her. They are already members of the nation’s lower house of parliament. What is more horrifying is that there are estimated 250 political families’ nationwide occupying positions at all level- at least one political family in every province, according to the Centre for People Empowerment in Governance, a nonprofit group that examines people participation in politics. It further says that 160 of the 265 members of Congress are from these clans. The Philippine Centre for Investigative Journalism also says that two-third of the members of Congress are from political dynasties. The Isabela province was dominated by Dy dynasty for decades. The influence of dynasties is so much so that it reminds the common Philippinos of the reintroduction of the electoral politics that was there in America in the 20th century where only the wealthy used to control the government. However, if closely viewed, it is not the case of just Philippines; there are many other Asian countries where politics is dominated by a few dynasties. The outgoing Prime Minister of Japan, Taro Aso is the grandson of a former PM while his wife is also the daughter of a former premier. Moreover, a quarter of parliamentarians and 40% of the legislators of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) belong to influential political families. The same is the case in Bangladesh, China, India, North Korea, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
However, the issue is not that removing dynasties will guarantee good governance and transparency but that would certainly ensure and encourage the entry of fresh and new talents in the politics. This would certainly break the age-old bureaucracy- perhaps for a better democracy. Though, fortunately, Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III is expected to make his debut in the upcoming Presidential election and seems to have been gaining popular support, unfortunately he is not being promoted for his charms but because of sympathy he has gained for his mother, Corazon Aquino, who died last month, who was Philippines’ democracy icon who overthrew dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Well, can we expect change here?
For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009
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