Liberalism in the Philippines Ideology, Party & Movement

Dr. July TeehankeeDr. July TeehankeeNational Institute for Policy StudiesNational Institute for Policy Studies

What is an ideology?

A comprehensive set of beliefs and attitudes about social and economic institutions and processes.

It offers a critique of an existing system and a view of the ideal system.

Provides an outline of how political change can and should be brought about.

What is liberalism?

Liberalism is an ideology committed to the individual and a society in which the individual can pursue and realize their interests

Latin word as liberty – liber, meaning free

What is the origin of liberalism?

Emerged from the struggles of the new commercial class that challenged the old feudal order in Europe

The first liberal advocates were a faction of the Spanish legislature who adopted the name Liberales in the early 1800s

The movement spread to France, Great Britain and the rest of Europe. In Great Britain, the party known as the Whigs evolved by the 1840s into the Liberal Party

What is the fundamental liberal principle?

The fundamental liberal principle grants primacy to liberty as a political value

Manuel Roxas

Benigno Aquino Jr.

Liberty shall not rest!

Jovito Salonga

The weak shall be strong, and the

strong shall be just.

What are the core liberal values?

Individualism - belief in the importance of the individual over any social group or collective body

Rationalism - exercise of human reason and critical inquiry

Freedom - ability to think or act as one wish

Responsibility - being responsible for oneself and one’s own economic and social circumstance

Justice - morally justifiable distribution of rewards and punishment

Tolerance - willingness to accept views or actions that one disagrees

How is liberalism different from other ideologies?

FascismConservatismLiberalismSocialismCommunism

How is liberalism different from other ideologies?

Communism

Socialism Liberalism Conservatism

Fascism

Individual Social Rational &Responsible

Organic

Individual and Society

Individual interest should be subordinated to the good of the society as a

whole

Freedom &Political

Equality

Freedom & Order

Order

Equality Equality of Ends Equality of Opportunitie

s

Inherently Unequal

Superior Race

or Nation

State Economic Redistribution Protect Individual Liberty

Ensure traditional values

National Glory

Political Spectrum

Extreme Left

Left Center Right Far Right

Mode of Change

Revolution Democratic Elections Coup d’ etat

What are the traditional and ideological political forces in the Philippines?

FarLeft

FarRight

Center RightLeft

Electoral

Mass Struggle

Armed Struggle

Traditional party transforming into a principled reformist party

Composed of political personalities who seek a creative fusion of principles and power

Without power, principles are impotent. Without principles, power is easily prostituted to passing fancies

How is LP different from the rest?

Party of Tradition

The LP has championed the masses but has also been a traditional vehicle of the elites.

Party of Principles

Capable of acts of conscience and political sacrifice but have also been occasionally infected by corruption and patronage

August 21, 1971 – Plaza Miranda Bombing

August 21, 1983 – Aquino Assassination

Party of Historic Ironies

1947 Military Bases Agreement 1991 Rejection of US Bases Treaty

The LP has endeavored to transform itself from its traditional past to a vehicle of new politics in the Philippines

The LP has cooperated with various sectoral, non-governmental and civil society organizations in various issue advocacies and mass struggles over the years

The LP has made efforts to strengthen its ranks among established Allied Sectoral Groups (Youth, Women, Urban Poor, Labor, etc.), and emerge as a truly mass-based political party

The Broad Liberal Movement

What are the other organizations that comprise the broad liberal movement in the Philippines?

National Institute of Policy Studies (NIPS)

Alliance of Liberal Youth (ALY) Liberal Caucus of Congressional Staff

(LCCS)

National Institute of Policy Studies (NIPS)

Principal political institute that undertakes programs for the promotion of liberalism and democracy in the Philippines

Alliance of Liberal Youth (ALY)

The youth wing of the Liberal Party.

Liberal Caucus of Congressional Staff (LCCS)

Allied sectoral organization of the Liberal Party composed of the Congressional Staff of LP legislators from the Senate and the House of Representatives

What are the other liberal organizations working worldwide?

Liberal International Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats

(CALD) International Federation of Liberal Youth

(IFLRY) Friedrich Naumann Foundation

Liberal International

The world federation of liberal political parties founded in 1947

Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD)

Regional organization of liberal and democratic political parties in Asia

International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY)

International umbrella organization of liberal youth organizations

Friedrich Naumann Foundation

The Friedrich-Naumann-Foundation is the Foundation for liberal politics from Germany

The Foundation sees itself as an agent of organized liberalism. It enjoys close links with Germany's Free Democratic Party (F.D.P.) and Liberal International (LI).

Liberals and Democrats in Power Worldwide

Reemerging Party

Restoring trust in government

Making democracy work for the poor

Promoting compassion for others

Bringing back honesty and decency in public service

Mabuhay!