THE DISCOURSE IN THE LIGHT

OF DEMOCRACY: A POLITICAL
AND SOCIOLOGICAL VIEW
By: Reality Mae S. Tabernero, ABPOLSCI, LPT
Instructor-Lecturer
Social Science and Politics and Governance Department
University of Cebu- LM

January 25, 2017, 31st EDSA PEOPLE

POWER Anniversary. Many informal discourse

have sparked in social media criticizing the

President as well as defending the President.

We can see in the social media the different

kinds of people. Those who are criticizing the President is called a “troll” (a person who

starts arguments and upsetting people) while the other call themselves as the defenders

of the President, friends of the President and others. In the light of celebrating the famous

peaceful revolution or what we call as EDSA REVOLUTION lead by then former President

Corazon “Cory”Aquino, wife of slayed Senator Benigno “Ninoy”Aquino Jr.. We can hear

people shouting the word democracy, that this country is a free country and that we have

the right to express our own views. What is DEMOCRACY?

Democracy is quite difficult to be defined because its meaning, when interpreted

is far more different than how it was defined. For the sake of understanding it, democracy

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is defined by many dictionaries as a system of government by the whole population or all

the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.1

What is a Democratic Society?

In light the Sociological view, For Aristotle, the underlying principle of democracy

is freedom, since only in a democracy can the citizens have a share in freedom.2 Shortly

saying, a democratic society is a society in which people can exercise their freedom and

write with less restrictions from the authority. However, in practice, democracy is the

extent to which a given system approximates this ideal, and a given political system is

referred to as a democracy if it allows a certain approximation to ideal democracy.

Although no country has ever granted all its citizens the right to vote, most countries

today hold regular elections based on egalitarian principles, at least in theory.3

On the other hand, in the light of politics, democracy is a means for the people to

choose their leaders and to hold their leaders accountable for their policies and their

conduct in office. The people decide who will represent them in parliament, and who will

head the government at the national and local levels. They do so by choosing between

competing parties in regular, free and fair elections. Government is based on the consent

of the governed.

1
Websters Dictionary
2
“Theories of Democracy.” Boundless Sociology Boundless, 26 May. 2016. Retrieved 27 Feb. 2017 from
https://www.boundless.com/sociology/textbooks/boundless-sociology-textbook/government-
15/democracy-115/theories-of-democracy-642-10474/
3
Theories of Democracy.” Boundless Sociology Boundless, 26 May. 2016. Retrieved 27 Feb. 2017 from
https://www.boundless.com/sociology/textbooks/boundless-sociology-textbook/government-
15/democracy-115/theories-of-democracy-642-10474/

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 In a democracy, the people are sovereign—they

are the highest form of political authority. Power flows

from the people to the leaders of government, who hold

power only temporarily. Laws and policies require

majority support in congress, but the rights of minorities

are protected in various ways. The people are free to criticize their elected leaders and

representatives, and to observe how they conduct the business of government.

Elected representatives at the national and local levels should listen to the people

and respond to their needs and suggestions. Elections have to occur at regular intervals,

as prescribed by law. Those in power cannot extend their terms in office without asking

for the consent of the people again in an election. For elections to be free and fair, they

have to be administered by a neutral, fair, and professional body that treats all political

parties and candidates equally. All parties and candidates must have the right to campaign

freely, to present their proposals to the voters both directly and through the mass media.

Voters must be able to vote in secret, free of intimidation and violence. Independent

observers must be able to observe the voting and the vote counting to ensure that the

process is free of corruption, intimidation, and fraud. There needs to be some impartial

and independent tribunal to resolve any disputes about the election results. This is why it

takes a lot of time to organize a good, democratic election. Any country can hold an

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election, but for an election to be free and

fair requires a lot of organization,

preparation, and training of political

parties, electoral officials, and civil society

organizations who monitor the process.4

Ever since the 1986, the

Philippines has enjoyed the benefits of democracy. We have a proper election wherein we

elect our National and local leaders as well as representatives. The Philippines have a new

President. Ever since he seated as President, he was highly criticized by his political

opponents and most of the time is called as “BERDUGO” (a local term for merciless

executioner) and was linked with various cases like the extra – judicial killings because of

his “war on drugs”. It is as if, the eyes of the world are looking at him. The question there

is that, above all these criticisms, why are Filipinos still looking up to him as if he’s a

savior?

In sociological view, we understand how Filipinos think without looking back at the

experience. After all, we can understand the society through our own experience.

According to Heidegger, every form of human awareness is interpretive (Manen, 2011).5

4
What is Democracy: Lecture at Hilla University for Humanistic Studies, January 21, 2004 retrieved on
February 27, 2017 at https://web.stanford.edu/~ldiamond/iraq/WhaIsDemocracy012004.htm
5
Manen, Van Max (2011). Phenomenology Online: A Resource for Phenomenological Inquiry. Retrieved
February 27, 2017, from http://www.phenomenologyonline.com/inquiry/orientations-in-
phenomenology/hermeneutical-phenomenology/

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 It means that we can simply

understand the happenings in our

surroundings. In the light of

democracy, there are discourses

from left to right, from the

opposition and the administration,

the pro’s and the anti’s. There’s one

thing that understands the Filipino dilemmas. The Filipinos are tired of everything. They

are tired of promises, they are tired poverty, traffic, scams, crimes and other vices of the

society. They are looking up to this man, hoping that he will bring light to the darkness

they are experiencing right now.

Those who criticized the present administration are those people who have seen

that there was really a drastic change. However, that change didn’t passed their

standards. Their standards of etiquette and morals. Because of this, it seems that, they

don’t like it at all. On the other hand, those who are defending and fighting for the

administration, those are willing to wait and see how this present administration address

the issues and vises that the Philippine society is suffering. These people have also seen

the drastic change that is happening right now. What is certain is that, Filipinos are not

anymore blinded with promises, there’s also a change in Filipino values, Filipinos are now

working.

In the political view, the key role of citizens in a democracy is to participate in

public life. Citizens have an obligation to become informed about public issues, to watch

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carefully how their political leaders and representatives use their powers, and to express

their own opinions and interests. Voting in elections is another important civic duty of all

citizens. But to vote wisely, each citizen should listen to the views of the different parties

and candidates, and then make his or her own decision on whom to support. Participation

can also involve campaigning for a political party or candidate, standing as a candidate

for political office, debating public issues, attending community meetings, petitioning the

government, and even protesting. A vital form of participation comes through active

membership in independent, non-governmental organizations, what we call “civil society.”

These organizations represent a variety of interests and beliefs: farmers, workers,

doctors, teachers, business owners, religious believers, women, students, human rights

activists. It is important that women participate fully both in politics and in civil society.

This requires efforts by civil society organizations to educate women about their

democratic rights and responsibilities, improve their political skills, represent their

common interests, and involve them in political life.6

In a democracy, participation in civic groups should be voluntary. No one should

be forced to join an organization against their will. Political parties are vital organizations

in a democracy, and democracy is stronger when citizens become active members of

political parties. However, no one should support a political party because he is pressured

or threatened by others. In a democracy, citizens are free to choose which party to

support. Democracy depends on citizen participation in all these ways. But participation

6
What is Democracy: Lecture at Hilla University for Humanistic Studies, January 21, 2004 retrieved on
February 27, 2017 at https://web.stanford.edu/~ldiamond/iraq/WhaIsDemocracy012004.htm

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must be peaceful, respectful of the law, and tolerant of the different views of other groups

and individuals.7

“I was not elected just to sit down here, I was elected to serve the people and

preserve the present generation”- Pres. Rodrigo Duterte. These lines captivate the heart

of the Filipino people. The Filipino people specially those who are poor, are hoping that

this administration can serve well and cater the common good.

In a democracy, every citizen has certain basic rights that the state cannot take away

from them. These rights are guaranteed under international law. You have the right to

have your own beliefs, and to say and write what you think. No one can tell you what you

must think, believe, and say or not say. There is freedom of religion. Everyone is free to

choose their own religion and to worship and practice their religion as they see fit. Every

individual has the right to enjoy their own culture, along with other members of their

group, even if their group is a minority. There is freedom and pluralism in the mass media.

You can choose between different sources of news and opinion to read in the newspapers,

to hear on the radio, and to watch on television. You have the right to associate with other

people, and to form and join organizations of your own choice, including trade unions.

You are free to move about the country, and if you wish, to leave the country. You have

the right to assemble freely, and to protest government actions. However, everyone has

an obligation to exercise these rights peacefully, with respect for the law and for the rights

of others.

7
What is Democracy: Lecture at Hilla University for Humanistic Studies, January 21, 2004 retrieved on
February 27, 2017 at https://web.stanford.edu/~ldiamond/iraq/WhaIsDemocracy012004.htm

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 These rights were very sacred to every people no matter what the gender, sexual

orientation, color, race or religion. These rights have been taken away from the Filipinos

for many years. Now, the opposition is arguing that this administration has a motive of

curtailing the rights specially the right to expression. Following the arrest of Sen, Leila de

Lima, the opposition is now shouting that there’s a political in justice, a political harassment

and others. They have also claimed that the President has repeatedly harassed the

women indirectly through his speeches and joke. They are also criticizing him for breaking

protocols and breaking the Presidential etiquette. They also claimed that the President is

a dictator and needs to be impeached.

On the other hand, the people who defended the administration countered the

arguments of the opposition. They accoutered that the rights were not taken away but

protected. The further argued that Se. de Lima was not politically harassed because her

case underwent due process. Moreover, they even praised the President for being unique

in his own ways, for not being a traditional politician and he is not a dictator.

This is not just a usual argumentation between the pro’s and the cons of the

administration, it went through bashing in social media, attacking the personal lives of

other people as well as calling them names. Sociologically and politically, this is a danger

because people are now using any means just to express their own political aspirations

even if it leads to violence and even worse, death.

Following this, it cannot be denied the aggressiveness of the Filipinos because the

Philippines have gone through numerous revolutions including the EDSA REVOLUTION.

The blood of the Filipinos is burning for their love of their country to the extent of giving

their lives and meeting death. In a structural functionalist view, there should be unity within

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and even outside the government in order to achieve a greater cause, a greater benefit.

The government will do their function as well as the citizens so that the demand of the

common good will be met.

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