Power to the people….

Prof. Lourdes Veneracion-Rallonza, PhD

Department of Political Science

Ateneo de Manila University

citizen participation in political processes

arena of uncoerced collective action around shared interests, purposes and values. In theory, its institutional forms are distinct from those of the state, family and market. Civil society commonly embraces a diversity of spaces, actors and institutional forms, varying in their degree of formality, autonomy and power.

(LSE, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_society )

Traditional view: politics = formal structures of government

Alternative perspective: interest group approachpolitics = government + citizen groups & their

actions= interaction of social groups

Theoretical proponents:Bentley: group is the basic unit of all political lifeLatham: organized groups are structures of power;

politics is the struggle of groups Truman: uniformities of behavior through these groups

any group that, on the basis of one or more shared attitudes, makes certain claim upon other groups in society for the establishment, maintenance, or enhancement of forms of behavior that are implied by the shared attitudes

organized organizations that engage in activity relative to governmental decisions

organizations that attempt to influence public policy

formal structure of organization articulation & aggregation of interests acting within the political system influencing external power representation of political interests Lobbying

e.g. building public pressure using media

organizing rallies & demonstrations

forming alliances & coalitions

non-membership organization formed for providing welfare and development services to the poor

private, non-profit, legal, small, focused

usually works with peoples’ organizations (Pos)

fill a gap in the function of the government

stimulating agent for community development

creates opportunities for the politically marginalized to become active participants in the socio-political processes of society

playing as an intermediary mechanism between those who have power & those who have none:

1. plays as an alternative institutional setting to political parties, articulating & aggregating socially relevant interests

2. supplements government’s social delivery mechanisms

3. privatizes policy implementation

1. DJANGOs (Development, Justice and Advocacy NGOs)

- commonly called development NGOs

- perform direct and indirect support service functions with POs

2. FUNDANGOs (Funding agency NGOs or Philanthropic Foundations)

- grant-giving organizations linked to grassroots organizations through providing financial and other forms of support

3. MUNGOs (Mutant NGOs)- largely composed of government-run NGOs that are

essentially extensions of the state or personal interests of state actors

4. COME N’GOs (Fly-by-Night or paper NGOs)

- fly-by-night organizations that package proposals to attract outside funding and promptly disappear with the funds.

a. Intensifying Unrest, Alarming Protest: The Rise of Militancy

1960s: political and economic exploitation by the ruling elite

rapid mobilization of revolutionary mass organizations

emergence of a movement for grassroots development

b. Repression, Co-optation: The Way to Innovation & Expansion

declaration of martial law in 1972

Marcos dictatorship (failure to address problems of development)

c. Assassination, Revolution: Towards Participation & Democratization

Ninoy Aquino assassination (1983) - “2nd wave of activism”

“People Power Revolution” (1986)

• 1987 Constitution: encourages formation; support for regional NGOs; respect of their role; right to participate in decision making; consultation mechanisms

• 1991 Local Government Code: NGOs as representatives of peoples’ interests

d. Democratization Movements◦ EDSA Dos – 2001

◦ EDSA Tres (?)

◦ Anti-Charter Change

5 areas for NGO participation in electoral processes

1 advocacy for electoral reforms

2 the raising of political consciousness

3 advancement of the people’s platform or agenda in elections

4 direct participation through the fielding of and campaigning for chosen candidates

5 post-election activities

play an essential role in democratizing politics and governance

facilitate participation of the people in the policy-making and execution process of government

“key participant political force”

role in enhancing democracy

important institutional vehicles

ability to influence

As organizers: forming community & popular grassroots organization

As advocates: mobilizing, articulating people’s interests, political demands, and institutional reforms

As mediators: linking the powerful and disempowered strata of the society

As deliverers: alternative mechanism for delivery of social services