Theories of Philippine Politics Part One

The standard approach to analyzing Filipino electoral and party politics has been to view power relations within the context of the patron-client factional (pcf) framework. The cultivation and distribution of patronage have been enduring features of Philippine local politics. Its durability is built upon intricate networks of political clans, clientelistic ties, and political machines throughout the archipelago. From the local Marxist perspective, Philippine society is “semi-feudal and semi-colonial.” An opposite view from the notion of reciprocity of the “patron-client factional" framework underscores the concept of conflict, command, coercion, and even violence.