Etymology of Politics

The word politics was derived from "polis* meaning City-states

Politics

The activity through which people make, preserve, and amend the general
rules under which they live.

loaded term

A noble act in ancient times

Two essential themes

1. Conflict

2. Cooperation

politics

how politics is practice

art of politics

Politics

science of politics

Four views
Politics as the art of Governance

Concerned with the dealings of the State

Most Common

Narrowed view

Non-Government individuals are viewed as non-political

Etymology of Politics 1
 Politics as Public Affairs

Broad

Beyond government the realm of

Politics must not infringe on personal life

💡 Politics is one of the most important human interactions

Politics as Compromise and Consensus

Sees politics as tool for conflict resolution

The art of the possible

Conflict is inevitable but must be conciliated (Stoke, 2006)

Politics as Power

Broadest and Radical

Practiced not only in the government but in all levels of society

Scarcity is the main ingredient

💡 Revolution will topple down the capitalist structure of the society.

Remove oppression of the capitalism

Power
Ability to achieve a desired outcome through whatever means

Power as decision-making

Concerned with conscious actions that in some way influence the content
decisions.

Power as agenda setting

Etymology of Politics 2
 The ability to prevent decisions being made

Power as thought control

Ability to influence another by shaping what he or she thinks wants. or

needs.

Authority
defined as legitimized power or simply the right to do so.

Legitimacy
The recognition, acceptance, and support for an existing form of rule or
government as right and proper.

Traditional

Moral authority that keeps society together by virtue of custom and habit

Charismatic

Based on the leader's personal qualities.

Rational-Legal

Authority derived from formal procedures of institutions such as elections.

Institutions
The rules of the game in a society norm more formally, are the humanly
devised constraints that shape human interaction.

Political Institutions

Organization government create, enforce, apply laws

Non-State Institution

Those that operate outside of the formal support and endorsement of the
state structure, though they might be recognizes to some extent within

Etymology of Politics 3
 that formal structure.

Band

associated with foreaging groups

Tribe

A more formal type political organization than the band.

The primary basis of membership in a tribe is kinship.

Chiefdom

A form of political organization that includes permanently allied tribes and

villages under one chief, a leader who possesses power.

State

An independent, sovereign government exercising control over a certain

spatially defined and bounded area, whose borders are usually clearly
defined and internationally recognized by other states

ELEMENTS OF THE STATE

1. Territory

2. People

3. Government

4. Sovereignty

Legislative
Make laws, alter, and repeal laws

Senate and House of Representatives

Executive
President and Vice President

The constitution grants the President authority to appoint his cabinet

Judiciary

Etymology of Politics 4
 Power to hold settle controversies involving rights that are legally demandable
and enforceable

Determines whether or not there has been a grave abuse on the part of the
government

💡 The term “Congress” pertains to both the Lower House (House of

Representatives) and the Senate.

Functions of the Government

Protecting the rights of the people

The Government has the responsibility to protect thee and ensure that citizens
have equal opportunities to exercise their rights.

Ensuring National Security

The Government is expected to protect its citizens from threats.

Managing economic conditions

The Government has the responsibility to ensure that everyone has fair and
equal access to resources and opportunities.

Maintaining Social Order

The Government must be able to enforce laws that will maintain social order.

Democracy
Democracy is a system of government in which laws, policies, leadership, and
major undertakings of a state or other polity are directly or indirectly decided
by them"people," a group historically constituted by only a minority of the
population but generally understood since the mid-20th century to include all
(or nearly all adult citizens (Britannica, 2024).

demokratia

for demos (people) and kratos (rule)

Democracy = Freedom

Etymology of Politics 5
 Election
As a democratic country, Filipinos have the power to choose the leaders of
their country.

Citizens aged 18 and above have the right and responsibility to participate in
the national elections.

The people we are electing are working for us.

Article V Section I of the 1987 Constitution states that;

Suffrage may be exercised by all citizens of the Philippines not otherwise
disqualified by law, who are at least eighteen years of age, and who shall have
resided in the Philippines for at least one year, and in the place wherein they
propose to vote, for at least six months immediately preceding the election. No
literacy, property, or other substantive requirement shall be imposed on the
exercise of suffrage.

Etymology of Politics 6