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The Philippines' Low Intensity Democracy

News Type: Opinion — Seeded on Sat Jul 4, 2009 6:01 AM EDT
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[Manila, Philippines--] Ha! In my paper on US foreign policy, democratisation and the Middle East, I stumble across this is article published in the Third World Quarterly journal. It was written in 1992 - fifteen years ago, but it could be describing what is happening this very moment.

By serependity (i.e. tadhana) this article is written by the co-author of the first ever book I've ever read on political economy - Barry Gills, and a Filipino scholar activist, Joel Rocamora.

The authors' case study of Argentina, Guatemala, the Philippines and South Korea show that the model of democracy as defined in the West is incompatible with "societies characterised by extreme concentration of wealth in the hands of a tiny elite (Gills & Rocamora 1992: 514)." Here are the defining characteristics of a low intensity democracy:

___________

Source:

Sparks. The Philippines' Low Intensity Democracy. 21 November 2007.Caffeine Sparks Blog. http://caffeinesparks.blogspot.com/2007/11/philippines-low-intensity-democracy.html

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{"commentId":8019959,"authorDomain":"JesusaBernardo"}
Jesusa Bernardo

Oh, and here's the money quote. Remember, this was written fifteen years ago.

"Despite what may seem to be major changes, precious little real change occurs under a regime of low intensity democracy. The maxim of the 'enlightened' elite is that 'the more things change, the more they stay the same (Gills & Rocamora 1992: 519).'"

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  • 2 votes
Reply#1 - Sat Jul 4, 2009 6:03 AM EDT
{"commentId":8164187,"authorDomain":"worldknightboy"}
worldknightboy

true. little real broad-based representative self-rule, and mostly oligarchs, like in Russia too.

{"commentId":8164187,"threadId":"619131","contentId":"2996461","authorDomain":"worldknightboy"}
  • 1 vote
Reply#2 - Sat Jul 11, 2009 9:36 PM EDT
{"commentId":8202239,"authorDomain":"JesusaBernardo"}
Jesusa Bernardo

I guess it has something to do with colonial history. Countries with capitulating elites-fostered by the colonialist of past--mostly can't seem to feel and live genuine democratic spirit. Russia's case is different, though.

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  • 2 votes
#2.1 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 9:19 AM EDT
{"commentId":8204879,"authorDomain":"worldknightboy"}
worldknightboy

Yeah, I should have more properly said the former USSR. Many of the nations born of its breakup still seem invested, to one degree or another, in the past ways of doing things. Untainted democracy and an open media are still a ways off there.

{"commentId":8204879,"threadId":"619131","contentId":"2996461","authorDomain":"worldknightboy"}
  • 1 vote
#2.2 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 11:45 AM EDT
{"commentId":8215086,"authorDomain":"JesusaBernardo"}
Jesusa Bernardo

It's OK, worldknightboy. What I meant is that Russia's history of Tsar and communist revolution is different. Even without colonial history, Russia still lacks open media and effective democracy. Then again, it is perhaps the combination of the (first) two factors that account for such.

{"commentId":8215086,"threadId":"619131","contentId":"2996461","authorDomain":"JesusaBernardo"}
  • 1 vote
#2.3 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 7:15 PM EDT
{"commentId":8215656,"authorDomain":"worldknightboy"}
worldknightboy

Yeah, I guess having the legacy of centuries of brutal Czarist and communist rule really puts a damper on blossoming democracy and open, healthy media, lol.

{"commentId":8215656,"threadId":"619131","contentId":"2996461","authorDomain":"worldknightboy"}
  • 1 vote
#2.4 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 7:49 PM EDT
{"commentId":8215780,"authorDomain":"JesusaBernardo"}
Jesusa Bernardo

Russia has a sort of proud history--but I guess difficult for some of its people, at the least.

{"commentId":8215780,"threadId":"619131","contentId":"2996461","authorDomain":"JesusaBernardo"}
  • 2 votes
#2.5 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 7:58 PM EDT
{"commentId":8216015,"authorDomain":"worldknightboy"}
worldknightboy

Well, the oligarchs and hard-line communists still hold onto the past 'glories' (and booty), but modern Russia faces considerable challenges. Difficulties for many, thats for sure! I am just amazed that Russia itself didn't fragment or explode after the USSR broke up. I have met many Russians- here in the US- and they are so amazing of spirit! Long suffering, to be sure, but so down to earth, and surprisingly intelligent, wise, direct and humble! It is awesome to think of what Russia could be some day, instead of where its at now, caught between epoch periods, and largely run by corrupt oligarchs and ideologues. Maybe some day....

{"commentId":8216015,"threadId":"619131","contentId":"2996461","authorDomain":"worldknightboy"}
  • 1 vote
#2.6 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:13 PM EDT
{"commentId":8289248,"authorDomain":"JesusaBernardo"}
Jesusa Bernardo

I also think Russia has a big future. The people do seem to have a certain degree of toughness--and I mean it in a positive sense. Imagine what they had to go through under Stalin. And their being the first socialist state, although arguably misguided in its excesses, do speak of their principled yearnings.

{"commentId":8289248,"threadId":"619131","contentId":"2996461","authorDomain":"JesusaBernardo"}
  • 1 vote
#2.7 - Sun Jul 19, 2009 4:40 AM EDT
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