The Republic of Korea: Pluralizing Politics (Article Review)

            The dynamics of South Korean government provides its people a lesson for establishing a government that suits their culture. Korea had been a great illustration of substantial nation geared towards democracy. Classified as one of the four tigers in Asia with a great performance in economical aspect and big player in the Asian and international trade. The challenges of Korean government on how they will practice democracy with some consideration to their customs and providing a model of government that will not collapse easily. The authoritarian regimes that devastated the Korean society and feared to become a cultural dilemma that will hinder development of their democracy and economic, basically Korea’s success towards development lies on their political and economical stableness.  The challenge is the maintenance of Korean democracy to elude their past authoritarian identity. The democratization of Asian countries meets at one end, the adaptation of western ideology to fit in an oriental setting. The concept of authoritarian is rooted on the Asian culture; monarchial context is the primary government system that effectively develops the Korean’s political awareness. The unification problem of the North and the South, the rise of conflict between the two Korean countries will put the South Korean government to disorder. The contrary of political ideology is the major factor engaging to war and will put Korea in grave threat. The South Korea must only focus on the maintenance of their strong government in the course of political, economical and social development.

            A vanguard against authoritarian regime, Korean people aspires for a democratic government that will ensure their development. Korea’s history illustrates the disorder or inconsistency of their government in pursuing democracy because of the rise of authoritarian regimes. Addressing the threat of authoritarian regimes is an essential to fortify the democratic government of South Korea. The unification of North and South triggers a devastating effect on both countries especially in the political and economical aspect. Democratization of South Korea opens an opportunity to develop their economical aspect. The strong fight against authoritarian regime is embedded to the Republic of Korea. Ensuring the democratic rule over an authoritarian regime is an essential factor to accomplish the economical competency of South Korea. In some point the authoritarian regime in Korea help to build the civic virtue of its people and it is the factor that raised the economical status of South Korea. The South Korea is classified as “development to democracy” the civic virtue attained from an authoritarian regime increased the economic performance of South Korea. Politically, South Korea had been achieved political maturity and fight against corruption and abuse of political power is the fierce advocacy of Korea’s government. The strong political will of every leader in South Korea had been the significant political norms that led them to a success performance in political and compliment with their economical aspects.

            One of the most economic boosters of Asian market, the South Korea is labeled as one of Asia’s tigers. Having an economic success increasing more than 100 time of their Gross National Product or GN is a significant factor that helps South Korea to attain development. Their economic success that gives South Korea an initiative for proving freedom or the road to democratization, economical tigers of Asia is the most contributors in economical aspect in Asian market.  Economically independent, South Korea can stand without the aid of the United States. The economical competency of South Korea opens a lot of opportunity to affirm their political system and addressed the problems on civil society. The civic virtue of the people of South Korea developed through chaotic historical events is the most important thing in solid pursuance of democratic development. The competency of the people economically is engraved to their customs and will remain on their political and economical system.

            The issue of Korea’s unification, the North is in the road of communism which is very contrary to the political ideology of the South. The influence of United States impinging the democracy in South Korea fortifies the priorities of its government to attain development. The question on how they will maintain their race in one government with different ideologies will always invites the rise of conflicts between the two states. The South Korea is a republic government and the pluralizing politics is the mainstream of their government, derived from the genuine democracy.  The unification of North and South would be impossible unless the North considers the democratic form of government. In theory, the two ideologies are very contrary to each other and have a deep history on what is the better political ideology. Unlike in the case of China where communism with a flavor of liberalism, the Korea is separated unlike in the context of China and it practical to combine the two ideologies because of the conservativeness of Korea’s culture. The road of democracy of South Korea will be an essential factor towards economical success. The unification issue must be the least prioritized by the government and shall focus on the development of their political and economical aspect as a different country from the North.

            Wrapping it up, the development of three aspects of the society or the political, economical and social or cultural are the factors that are essential for attaining success. In theory, there are no absolute or perfect government, economical status and harmonious society. The South Korean government is giving much concern regarding on the development of the three aspect of the society. They address the diverse problems of the society by means of delivering good governance; the eradication of poverty is not a big problem for Korea. South Korean government shows that in the presence of economical development will accommodate the challenges faced by the political system, it is an indication of development first, then the reward of freedom in a more democratic form of government.

            For the conclusion, the democracy promoted by the westerners that is introduced to the Asian country is somehow customized to suit the diversity of the Orientals. The economic system offered by a democratic form is an essential factor for the uprising of the political and social development in South Korea. The open-market economical system is a boost for acknowledging the exploitation of Asia’s resources towards development. The challenges faced by the South Korean democracy have been experienced by the developing countries in Asia, and South Korea’s combat against the democratic deficits cause by informal political norms practices has been uplift the South Korea’s aspiration towards development.

            The development of South Korea has been determined as an Asian’s success in engaging in international market and boost not only Korea’s economic aspect but the whole oriental region. The political maturity of Korea’s government is attained in a short period of time compare to other Asian countries. The economical aspect that contributes a huge factor on uplifting Asia’s economy and South Korea being labeled as one of the economic tigers of Asia. And most of all the society that is very vigilant on observing the punctuality of its government and their participation on the economic activities of Korea, the development of civic virtue and political maturity have a huge impact on the success of South Korea in regional and international level.

                                                 

India: Democratic Becoming and Development Transitions (Article Review)

            The challenge facing the development in India is its diverse ethnicity and whether their gearing with democracy will be the key for their development. This review intends to determine the key factor of India’s government to pursue their development. The effect of liberalization of India to address their differences for pursuing development, first the standard of education offered in India is not compatible for their diverse population. There is some racial discrimination and the elites handle the power for their own sake while the most people in India suffer illiterateness in political, economical and social discrimination. Because of the high-level of illiterate, Indian people has a low civic virtue wherein they are not capable of protesting to address their grievances and lack of cooperation because of diversity. The ethnical diversity is a major factor why India’s development seems hard to observed, the racial discrimination and the impotency of the government to provide good governance to its people. The formations of government institution are weak and the interference of western nation to the decision making of the government has a huge impact on the challenges faced by the Indian government. This is an attempt to see an in-depth analytical observation on the factors of the deficits on India’s government. It will focus on the three major factors that are essential to development and the hindrances to the road of development of India’s government. Asian countries have facing a great challenge to install western democracy to their government. The wave of democratization seems a big influence for the aspiration of Asian countries to offer a democratic type of government. India is performing well in economical aspect, gaining a high-rate in their gross national product (GNP) but the rate of poverty is dramatically increasing. The reason for this uncomplimentary effect is the ethnic diversity, wherein there are racial discrimination and religious conflicts. It is very common to an Asian country to have diverse culture, religion and poverty occurrence that may serves as reasons for their slow development. The wise utilization of public funds and a great allotment on education will be the essential matter for pursuance of development. The formulation for establishing government to fit the diverse ethnicity and to address communal problems that results in social disorder, the equal representation of different beliefs and interest is an essential factor to unite India’s people. 

            The liberal-democracy of India is performing well in increasing its economical performance it is credited to those elite who runs the government. The hunt for development is in a new form of political system is gradually noticed, transitional development is somehow the key to India’s development. The developing countries like India have a hard time finding the missing factor to attain a developed nation. The democratization offers a great opportunity to achieve development, but it is the ideal perception of the westerners. The formation of good of government would not show an importance because of illiteracy in politics. The development of ethnic groups of India depends on the delivery of service of the government; the basic factor that is in need is education for developing Indian’s civic virtue. The road to democracy is aspired by most of Asian countries but every Asian country faces a great challenge. The challenge is how to fit the democratic form of government in an originally monarchial type of government and with the diverse ethnicity or different religious beliefs. Their constructive initiative was directed toward language reform, legal reform, establishing a vernacular press, depending the freedom of press, and articulating the rights of women, particularly widows ( India: Democratic Becoming and Development Transitions- Jyotirindra Das Gupta). The deficiency of India’s democratic institution to provide information to its people to be used as a weapon to seek redresses for their grievances and may give an initiative to reform India’s government. In democratic theory, democracy allows people to participate on the decision making of the government and it is the deficits of India’s government to address the problem of diversity.

            Improving their identity, being nationalism is a major contribution on the development of a nation. The colonial interventions of westerners are the reason for the disorder of India’s society. Let the Indian people find an answer to their communal conflicts, the formulation of a government by representing different inhabitants in India would create a better government that can address the problems of Indian society. Racial representation must be part of the goal of the government, to acknowledge the different inhabitants in India. Understanding the diversity must put into the Indian political context; the political mechanism of India must surely determine the rights to pursue human development. The contribution of the society will be the biggest factor to attain the genuine democracy that will deliver India to development. Developing countries have problems setting their priorities towards development; India is focusing on the security of their territory and putting a huge investment to military. Admittedly such balancing acts are favored by the configuration of social division, structural diversities, and the ecological differences in a complex country like India (India: Democratic Becoming and Development Transitions- Jyotirindra Das Gupta). The government must formulate policies or establishment of institution that will address the differences of Indian people. Unity of different inhabitants shall be the primary focus of the national government, providing a general Indian identity among different ethnicity to form a unity.

            Looking back on the history of India, a colonial hangover makes it difficult for many to accept the form of democracy has attained by making those people speak for and rule themselves (India: Democratic Becoming and Development Transitions- Jyotirindra Das Gupta). The colonial mentality of the Indian makes them hard to understand a foreign form of government and the privileges to speak or represent themselves to the government. That mentality is engraved into the Indian culture until Mohandas Ghandi introduced the concept of unity among diverse ethnicity in India. Racial ideology the dominates the Indian culture has begun to evolved into an one general identity but the challenge facing the democracy and development in India is cause by successive discrimination of religious beliefs.

            The electoral process has seemed to be like in other Asian countries, the most powerful and well-known are the one who can only win the election. The use of popularity and greed is the thing that is essential to attain power.  The riches and elites can only participate in the national election; there is no definite representation of different class and ethnicity. The participation of common people to govern themselves has not come to maturity. Political maturity is a basic element to have a society can pursue development.

            For the conclusion, the development of India is determined on how they will effectively organize and run the democratic institutions to pursue their development. The efficiency of the government delivering basic service and generalizing the concept of unity among diverse ethnicity in India must be prioritized by the government. The development of India is complimented with the political maturity of its people and a strong political will that put an end to racial discrimination. The determination of the Indian people to achieved peace and unity on the challenges faced by the diverse inhabitants of India will be attained with a democratic form of government. It is a matter of educating your people and providing a full support of the government for human development. The development of political, economical and social lies into the determination of Indian people to pursue development. Mobilizing the society toward a good government will be the most efficient to attain maturity in the Indian political, economical and social aspect.

Combating Corruption in the Philippines: What can be learned? (Comparative Approach: Singapore to Philippines)

        Corruption is being observed around the world and all institutions are prone to corruption. An exchange to rush or to haste the process, giving privileges to an individual with compensation describes the act of corruption. In the Philippine political setting corruption is rampantly observed, and Philippine is the one of the most corrupt country around the world. Is corruption is really inevitable? How can we determine corruption? There is no exact determination on what to be considered as a corrupt action. Reducing corruption is a hard task to do; combating corruption in the Philippines will be challengeable for the government itself and for the people who do not know the limitations and description of a corrupt action. Corruption is not just getting money; it also affects the future of a country and its people. In Southeast Asia Philippines consistently rank low in Political and Economical Risk Consultancy (PERC) and in Corruption Perception Index (CPI) for international level. Corruption is misuse of government power and funds for other purpose and for self-benefit. This study is a comparative research, it illustrate the key factors to lessen or to reduce corruption in the Philippines. Singapore is one of the leading less-corrupt country around the world; this study will distinguish the factors that decrease the corruption in Singapore and other developing countries that may be applicable in the Philippine context. Do the Southeast Asian countries perform well in combating corruption except in the Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Indonesia? The developing countries seem to be prone in the practice of corruption. Corruption is resulted by weak implementation of laws, impotent political will, the practice of informal institutions and other form that invites the practice of corruption.

          The Philippine context, in every institution corruption is observed. Poverty and political immaturity is the cause of corruption. In the Spaniard colonization corruption is the cause of many revolutions; corruption is a problem older than any anti-corruption institutions in the Philippines. Corruption in the Philippines is beginning to be a custom or corruption has become a way of life, people do not seek to redress laws for combating corruption. In the declaration of martial law by Pres. Ferdinand Marcos in 1972, many actions by the government are not exposed to the public because of the government controls the press. In the time of Marcos era and up to the present administration, corruption has a retrograde effect. Many anti-corruption institutions in the Philippines lost their credibility to fight against corruption. These institutions are use by individuals to benefit their selves or to please a higher leader. It is getting more severe, corruption is like a disease the spreads to different sectors in the community. Not only in the government corruption occurred, in private sector, in media and civil society corruption is also enjoyed. The ratification of anti-corruption institutions will eliminate corruption but it is a big help to lessen or to limit corruption. Philippines scored 2.6 in Corruption Perception Index 2011 and the Philippines is in rank 129.

          In Singapore, corruption is a fact of life rather than a way of life. The way Singaporeans think is very real, they admit that corruption is inevitable and the only thing that they can do is to lessen the practice of corruption. In Singapore, those found guilty of corrupt behavior are punished accordingly regardless of their position or status in society. Singaporeans are equally in terms of punishment in doing such crimes, it is an indication that their government has a strong will or there are rigid in law execution. All Southeast Asian countries admire Singapore for their rapid development and will to fight against corruption. Singapore is at number five less-corrupt country around the world, they score 9.2 based on Corruption Perception Index or CPI in 2011.

          See the big difference of Philippines and Singapore in every factors of fight against corruption. What can be learned on these empirical data? First, we must identify what is corruption, identifying the problem would be essential fighting the problem. The Philippine norms are one key factor that boosts the prevalence of corruption in the government and society. The government must address the issue regarding corruption. Fortification of laws and policies will be a big help to reduce the practice of corruption, we cannot totally eliminate corruption and we must accept that fact. The equal punishment to law violators and no one should be excused; like in Singapore they have a stiff law implementation. The grassroots of corruption is inequality. Those people in power can do whatever they want to bribe an anti-corruption institution to hide their wrong deeds, and those in authority can extort money by use of power especially the concept of “police power”. Secondly, we must learn from the past. Learning from the past and making things better will be an essential factor to develop our maturity, attaining maturity is a development. Filipinos must participate or can show their grievances for a faster solution. Laws must be obeyed at all times, and the strong implementation of Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for public officials. We must know what are the things that we want and pursue it. We don’t have any problem in the structure of our government, the problem lies into the culture of the people. Technically, Philippine problem lies on individual deeds, for example, a boy stealing money from the wallet of his mother. This is corruption, and our culture tolerating it. It is not the issue of how much or how many but corruption is the issue of stealing or getting what is not yours. We do not have a crystal clear concept of corruption, is the example above is a form of corruption? If yes, then a boy must be punished by the law. Corruption does not only occur in the government, corruption is everywhere. In the Philippine setting corruption is a way of life, doing wrong is a way of life.

         

          In mid-19^th century Philippine was the leader in economic is Asia, at this time Philippine is always at the last in good things and leading in doing bad. How the Philippine acquired this curse? It is the result of multiple social distortion and colonization. Filipinos do not know who they are, it is a long process of development and it is called maturity. Combating corruption in the Philippines is very hard to fulfill, the strong will of the present administration to fight corruption is a long journey to have a good result. It is not an instant process; it will require many years to attain. We must educate all our people to be conscious on this idea, for us to be able to know what’s for us and what’s not. The problems of our corruptions are inevitable and it is older than any existing leaders in our time. We are political immature, hence our political system full of corruption. To end corruption is too impossible we are a number one client of informal political norms and we have a profound recognition of these traditions that affects the effective governance of our government. Majority of our countrymen are unfamiliar with the righteous and just leadership, they thought that corruption is part of public service. The practice of corruption is rampantly express by the national and local officials of our government, and maybe it is their reward for themselves for serving the public. Politician now a days are also businessman, so they tend to corrupt after winning the election. Corruption in the Philippines is obviously seen and people cannot determine if an action is a practice of corruption. That is the main problem of our society, people are not participating regarding the issue of corruption or they have no idea what can they do to combat corruption. The best example is the impeachment of C.J. Renato Corona; some people probably don’t know what the sole purpose of impeachment it is because the government is giving limited information to the public. That is another form of corruption, lack of transparency.

          It is a big debate on how can we fight corruption, some suggest an overhaul process or charter change and other requires only political maturity. It is a big question on how to solve corruption, and probably it takes hundreds of years to develop an institution that can fight against corruption. It is the call of duty for the people to demand redress to at least reduce corruption. It is simply chained to every negative factor of the society, base on the Transparency International, the occurrence of corruption is on the depress countries, with social conflicts and where poverty resides. It is like a reciprocal effect, corruption may be the cause of poverty and poverty may be cause of corruption.

          Corruption is inevitable, eliminating corruption is very impossible to attain. The ignorance of the people invites clever individuals to take advantage. Even in developed countries like in Singapore corruptions exist. The right thing to do is to accept the fact that corruptions exist and it is permanent to every institution around the world. What can the Philippines learned in other less-corrupt countries? A gradual solution for every problem of corruption, just do not haste every opportunity. People must always take their part demanding for the redress of the government. Only the people can make the government accountable, by the use of a mature thinking. Creating an anti-corruption institution and programs can show significant and rapid results to lessen corruption. The people must know what are the forms of corruption for them to be able to show that they know who is corrupt and who is not. The freedom of information must be ratified, and all democratic institution in the Philippines shall be guided by a strong leadership. Corruption is like a ball of snow, once it's set a rolling it must increase. So it must be stop in the first drop, preventing is always the better solution. Corruption is the greatest spoiler of the society and government officials. The concept of money and power makes corruption inevitable, eliminate money and power will eliminate corruption.

Democratic deficiency in the Philippines: a case study towards Charter Change (Political Parties/Electoral Reform and Political Dynasty)

The rampant expression of informal institutions in the Philippine context resulted in democratic deficiency that may lead to Charter Change. Political parties are representation of the diverse culture of a nation under democracy. It is an indicator of democratization, but how effective are the political parties pursuing their platform for the benefit of their people? There is a deficit in an institution that suppose to provide empowerment to pursue the betterment of the people, thereof political parties is use for other means instead of representing a group of people. Political parties are used by the elites, riches and political clans to lure groups of people for their support, after attaining their political goal they simply abandon the party for a greater opportunity in other party by means of “turncoatism”. An individual able to change his party and will join the much stronger coalition. A party is a vehicle to get into the power, as machines crafted for the sole purpose of winning election, they soon collapse after a crushing political defeat (Manasca, Rodelio and Tan, Alexander 2005). It is used to enter the beneficial circle of politics. These political norms are used by political clans to maintain their incumbency. Political clans are securing their tenure for the benefits and privileges that they acquire; they use the public funds for financing their candidacy. It is a reciprocal effect, in the end of their term their relatives will take over for one term until they utilized all their relatives to prolong their tenure or incumbency. Maintaining their power is their main objectives. Political seat is like an object that can transfer and reacquire by means of succession. By the use of three G’s there clans that are almost permanent to political arena. In the presence of an election political clans deny that they are political dynasties but bossism is somehow an evolution and the new form of political dynasty. The use of informal political norms like patron-client relation, bossism and other forms in every democratic institution in the Philippines will put danger to maintain our present charter and may always result to constitutional crisis that will lead to charter change.

An in depth view to Political Parties/Electoral Reform, the objective of Philippine multi-party system is to represent different ideology, groups of people, culture and religion. It is an indicator of democratization, so as election. The idea behind the construction of political parties in the Philippines is to voice out the small voices of different groups of people for a better policy formulation. The effectiveness of a democratic institution lies towards good administration and the greater good must be always observed. There are so many loopholes in the Philippine Charter and it is a sign of opportunity for manipulating the system by different politicians. The rampant use of electoral fraud is being the primary problems in Philippine setting, especially in the local levels where political clans have dominion. The use of public funds to finance their candidacy seems to begin a custom, so the incumbent official has a great advantage to win the election. The present design of election is somehow favorably for those incumbent officials who have access to the public funds and other resources and so political dynasties emerged. The utilization of public resources is the great advantage of incumbent officials and an illustration of unequal opportunity in participating in the elections. Most probably the elites, riches and political clans can only avail to participate in any election, so that is why small people cannot pursue their needs or totally represent them in the congress. Electoral process is democratic institution made to represent people but it is use as a route of some individuals aspiring political power. Political parties are crafted as a political machine for the purpose of winning the election and by luring small people for their support it is clearly a patron-client relationship. The informal political norms are being dominant in the Philippine political system and will always affect the punctuality of every democratic institution especially the election and political parties.

Electoral frauds, sabotages and corruptions are acute illness of our electoral process. The election that is the main identity of democracy faces the greatest challenge. Election is the time where people enter in a relationship with the candidates and it is either formal or informal relationship. Patron-Client relationship is the mutual relationship between two parties; it gives some privileges to both party but it is more beneficial to those who offer material privileges than those who offer their votes and supports.

Political Dynasties is the Philippine political setting is very rampantly observed especially in the local levels. Political clans are spread all around the Philippines. Arroyo Clan in Pampanga and Negros Occidental, Marcos Clan in Ilocos Norte, Ampatuan Clan in Maguindanao, Angara Clan in Aurora, Aquino Clan in Tarlac, Singson Clan in Ilocos Sur, Osmeña Clan in Cebu and Ortega Clan in La Union. These families are well known for their political career because they stayed in power older than a college student and these political clans are the ones who dominated the national or local election. These families denied to be called dynasty because of the presence of an election and people choose them, but the impotency of our charter provides an opportunity to maintain their power by simply using political machinery. Bossism is the evolution of political dynasty; it is the prolongation of political power by use of any means. Patron-Client relation is somehow a huge factor to maintain political power, it is a mutual relation between the upper-class and lower class which aims to benefits each other reciprocally. These are the two main reason of why can a politicians maintain their supremacy in their localities. Political clans are also landlords so they can control the economy and the society. The lower-class believed that it is the best to maintain my economic stableness and social security provided by their Patron (Political Ruler) than to change their customs. Patron-Client relation may be observed in rural areas where local elite are also landlords and bossism may be observed in a highly-develop and marginalize urban areas, as in the case of Makati City, the Binay’s stayed for more than two decades. The key factor for Bossism is the Political Machinery, giving the highest standard of living may be included in the machinery. Even though how positive or good the motives of an individual it is technically wrong based on our Charter to prolong or extend a political power.

The significant reason to pursue Charter Change in the Philippines is the intervention of informal political norms in democratic institutions that resulted to democratic deficits. Lack of accountability, responsibility and political “turncoatism” are the democratic deficits of Political Parties that invites reformation of the charter. Terms must be shortened and competitive individuals must able participate in election equally without resources. This is the common problems of the Philippine election; only the rich can participate or can fund national and local election. Electoral reform must be immediately applied for at least providing remedy for democratic deficits. Parliament is the best form of political system for representation of marginalized sector, it fortify the coalition of political parties. Parliament offers much greater continuity and accountability, if the prime minister is performing at his best; his tenure will secured and if he is a corrupt official, by simply casting a “no confidence vote” the prime minister can be ousted. Ratifying Philippine charter will be essential to develop our democratic maturity. Political coalition will be strengthened and political platform will be clearer and distinctive.

Political Dynasty is an old way of maintaining political power but it can be observed until the Philippine charter is amended or totally changed. The security of tenure, the three consecutive terms and a re-election after an intervention on a term or three terms are just example loopholes of our present charter. Amendment of the 1987 Constitution will be more essential pursuing democratic efficiency. Political clans must be restricted performing succession of power in political arena; huge lands must be distributed to local farmers so there is no reason to have patron-client ties. The limitation of term and specific understanding and jurisprudence of the law, Philippine charter must be understandable even in primary school level. Strong enforcement of the law is always the main factor to solve or to weaken the domination of informal institution, which creates democratic deficits. Abolish the creation of private armies; it is a big contribution for elimination of political dynasties. People must always that they have a choice to pick from and to have a clearer understanding to their rights and obligation as a citizen of the Philippines, people must secure the only thing that can change everything, to vote, and they must do it with responsible and wisely.

The Philippine Charter needs to re-examine to determine the loopholes and then provide a solution. It is a matter of strong law formulation and law execution that may lead us to effective governance. Total overhaul of the Philippine political setting is very essential to pursue political development, so as democratic efficiency. The overall solution is change; we must understand that our present charter is not so effective pursuing the dream of every Filipinos. The new charter can provide equal opportunity to political, social and economical aspect of life. What can satisfy the masses? One thing can surely satisfy the masses, to make them happy. Providing basic needs to different sector of the society will make them happy, by parliament the political parties will be more accountable and responsible promoting development to the sector they represent. Change is inevitable and this is the right opportunity towards changes.

How's Development?

            All countries around the world aspires development, a sustainable development. Many studies determined the key for the self-sufficient of a country. Political, Economical and Social development are the three factors that illustrate a developed country. In political development, it intends to provide a form of government wherein it provides civil rights for the public. Economical development is measured upon Gross National Product (GNP) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rate annually. Social development is to determine the class of living in the country and measured upon employment, mortality rate and others. This is the concept of a developed country but what are the essential key factors to attain these development. Scholars putting a hard study on how they can provide a concrete outline on how’s development can be attained but there are no absolute key factors to pursue development.

            The goal of the studies is to provide at least fundamental principles on how other countries attain their development. It is a comparative approach, comparing the developed nations and developing and giving a hint on how they achieve their development. The question is on how will the development process be attain, it is on the political structure, economical system or it depends on how the society participate and contribute for development. Sustainable Development is the goal for every country to achieve. Developing countries are putting all effort to end poverty and have an enjoyable life to live for their people. The development is not a hasty process, it cannot be attained overnight. The establishment of all institutions to pursue development whether by force, but some illustrate that a truly developed countries has a democracy. It is not just an overnight development but a sustainable development that will last a lifetime. That is why there are international organization that set guidelines and standards for considering a country is developed. It is truly modernization that shall deliver a country competent in other country. Modernization is providing technology, an agricultural country will never be labelled as develop country, they must entertain modern ideas to able to shift in industrialized country like in China. Some countries are not agricultural but able to industrialize their economy, like in Japan, they are not focussing on the production of basic commodities but instead they focus on robotics. Aspiring development should be the compliment of the political, economical and social stability of a country. The base must be strong for the pyramid to stand firmly; so that a county’s sustainable development is their goal from the start. Achieving sustainable development will ensure the countries security, welfare and people to be happy. The cat’s colour is not important either it is white of red as long as we are rich, a statement of Deng Mao of China that describe their “Social Capitalist Economy.

           

The image portray in achieving development is way too deep. The idea is the factors that deliver them to development are practiced whether it is force or violence. Asia’s developing countries has a twist of authoritarian regime, for them to focus rigidly on their development.  The admirably great for their rapid development is China, they can be greater that the United States in 2015. As I dissected the factors of China, it is very impressive that the three factors which are political, economical and social are seen on the context of China. Their political stability, a communist with a flavour of capitalism that leads them to have a free market and boost their economy and resulted to have the highest Gross National Product or GNP per year. Their huge population that contributes to their massive working force for a lot bigger market see the three factors are complimenting each other and it portray development to China.

             Many countries around the world experience undeveloped political institutions, economic system and social cooperation, as to have a motivational push for development the key players on their countries must organize or form a revolution to overthrow the present regime that lock them on the box and resulted to a long term undeveloped country. Capitalist are the one who patronize modernization that may deliver them to state of development. Some nations are strongly bound to their traditions, customs and belief that hindered the introduction of modernization. In Oman, the authoritarian regime hindered modernization to be the way of living but the succeeding leader entertains modernization that leads them to a competitive country.

            These logical sequences of illustration of events shows that they are no absolute factors to pursue development, it may come in political, economical and social aspect of a country. The diverse culture and differences is the factor that is absolute in a country so that we must able to think some alternatives and do not stick to the old tradition way of governing, market interaction and social cooperation. A formulation of the best system to fit our diversity is more important than imitating other country’s political, economical and social system. It will only fall on one thing that political, economical and social system are not general ideas instead it is a product of a community or society that works hard to have a better class of life.

            Therefore, in able to achieve development or to see the real image of development, a country must know what the key principles of development of itself are and from there formulate a structure base on the traits and nature of their people. Diversity will not be the problem; the problem is how they will meet at one common desires, traits and goals.

Peace Agreement in Mindanao: A battle for peace and unity (Charter Change than self-determination)

Is the right to self-determination or a shift to parliament is the last resort to attain peace in Mindanao? A peace agreement in Mindanao is a problem that existed many decades ago and that put many lives into waste. The aspiration of the Bangsamoro to acquire their independency from the Philippines, the eagerness of our Muslim brothers to find independence and that put a devastating effect in the political, social and economic aspect of the Philippines. The people of Southern Philippines experienced tremendous sufferings as the result of the conflict. There are many reasons why the Bangsamoro aspire for an independent government from the Philippines. As the concept of imperial Luzon that dominate the mentality of the southern people of the Philippines. The Mindanao produces a huge percent of raw products that is a big help boosting the Philippine economy and it is the one grievance of the southerners, that the allocation of funds are concentrated to the imperial Luzon. It is a very long debate on how the conflicts will end; it is a matter of understanding the small differences of each other. The peace talks in Mindanao are essential institution to pursue peace and unity among the Filipinos.

It is not impossible that Muslim and Christians are in the same territory and living harmoniously. The conflict is just a thing of the past that impinges to the present Bangsamoro. The goal of the creation of the Bangsamoro army is to protect the Philippine land especially the Mindanao from the foreign colonization and absolutely not to Filipino brothers. The arrangement made by the government must be done for the purpose to eradicate the violence and conflict with the Muslim brothers. It is not a lifetime problem; it is a Filipino problem and can be only solved by the Filipinos.

It is unconstitutional to separate the Mindanao from the Philippines, so the Philippine government must find the greatest solution for addressing these communal problems. Self-determination is not the solution to these conflicts, a drive to equality is the best solution for the Mindanao conflict. The government shall embody the autonomous region constitutional rights, a genuine autonomy. This is an approach of decentralization of governmental functions to the local level. The Muslims in Mindanao truly seeks for development but the allocation of public funds is centralized in the imperial Luzon even the Mindanao is a major provider of natural resources. It is a call for the amendment of the Philippines Charter, the formulation of the new charter must consider even the most little ethnical group in the Philippines. It is the matter of what they want for them not to seek redress in a violent way and seperation from the Philippines.

There are many solutions that will address these problems. First the researchers would like to determine the problems faced by the Bangsamoro in Mindanao. In political aspect, we see that even thou the 1987 Constitution and Local Government Code of 1991 vested genuine autonomy to ARMM it is observed that the moros cannot enjoy the decentralization because of the intervention of the national government. Although they are utilizing the privileges of political autonomy there are some high coercive interference of the national government on how they run their autonomous region. In social aspect or cultural aspect, there are some discriminating custom that is embedded to every Filipinos that Muslims are violent people. The PHDR 2005 study reveals that a considerable percentage (33percent to 39 percent) of Filipinos is biased against Muslims. Exclusion from job opportunities is very high given that 46 percent of the Christian population would choose Christian male worker and 40 percent Christian female domestic helper. Only 4 percent will choose a Muslim male worker and 7 percent Muslim female domestic helper. Majority of the Christians cannot even accept Muslims as neighbors, as the study shows that in Metro Manila 57 percent opt for residence with higher rent but far from a Muslim community (Understanding the Bangsamoro Right to Self-Determination-Abhoud Syed M. Lingga). The impression is an effect of the conflict in Mindanao where the moros are using bloodshed to protest their independency and the impression in the international level that Muslims are more prone to engage in terrorism. Violence is embedded to the moros and the moros reaction will always trigger to do such unlawful act for their protection and to serve Allah. In the economical aspects, Mindanao is the 2^nd largest island in the Philippines, rich in natural resources, has no annual typhoon activity and almost produce 100% of the Philippine bananas, pineapple and aluminium ore but the development in Mindanao is least prioritized by the national government. They claim that they are one of the most economic boosters of the Philippines and yet their economic development seems hard to find. It is the concept of imperial Manila where the central government allocates more public fund to the development of Luzon and the Mindanao being the least prioritized. The agony of the Bangsamoros are decades old, they just want an equal distribution of resources, governmental powers and an independent people who can live the way they want. The promise land of Mindanao for the moros are very different from the majority of the inhabitants in the Philippines.

Possible remedy for the agony of the Bangsamoros, Is the right to self-determination is the last resort of the government to put an end to this conflict? The right to self-determination is an international law stated on the united Nation’s Charter. Article 55 of the United Nations charter, which provides that the world body shall create conditions of stability and well-being which are necessary for peaceful and friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples (Charter of United Nations). It is their right to be independent but it is contrary to the territorial integrity of the states, authorising or encouraging any action which would dismember or impair, totally or in part, the territorial integrity or political unity of sovereign and independent States conducting themselves in compliance with the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples and thus possessed of a government representing the whole people belonging to the territory without distinction as to race, creed or colour (United Nations General Assembly Resolution No. 2625). It is a conflict of interest on both secessionist and the state. The self-determination of the Bangsamoro has been too impossible for the current charter;  the people should be able to achieve self-determination through a fully participatory and democratic process, Self-determination is achieved by fully participatory democratic processes among the people who are seeking the realization of self-determination, including referenda where appropriate (Understanding the Bangsamoro Right to Self-Determination-Abhoud Syed M. Lingga). If the government really want to address the problems or to resolve the conflict in Mindanao, the government shall provide an equal access for the Bangsamo in participating in the national government. A shift to a parliamentary type of government will provides an opportunity for the right to self-determination of the Bangsamoros. An equal chance in participating, in decision making and law execution of the Bangsamoros in national level will serves as an ending to the Muslim-Christian conflicts.

What about the Christian inhabitants in Mindanao? The Autonomous region for Muslim Mindanao is an Islamic region, wherein the Muslims are concentrated to that region and the rest is a mixture of Christian and Muslims. Majority of the inhabitants of Mindanao are also Christians. The issue of self determination is only to resolve the conflict between Filipinos vs. Filipinos. The shift of presidential to parliament will give an answer for the moros whether to continue to pursue self-determination or be satisfied on the privileges offer by the parliament type of government. Separation is not always the solution to end conflict, giving what they want in political, economical and social or cultural aspect would be an essential factor to finally end the bloodshed in Mindanao. As the researchers observed that not all Muslims want to separate from the Philippines and the group that continue to fight their right to self-determination are rebel group who inherited the dreams of their ancestor to protect Mindanao from being a colony. This paper finds it interesting to go back to the historical events in Mindanao, the natives of Mindanao are economic experts, and the Mindanao is the central capital for economics and trade of the Philippines in pre-Spanish period. Until the colonization of the Spaniards, Mindanao concentrates the public funds to finance their army to protect their homeland from being a colony. Up to this day that it is the concept of why the MILF and MNLF fight for separation of Mindanao from the Philippines. They did not realize that the war is over and it is time for peace and unity. Accepting the fact that Philippine archipelago has one of the most diverse inhabitants, culture and ethnicity. The government must now then realize that there is no absolute reason on the occurrence of war in Mindanao, the war is just begun to be a tradition of the Bangsamoros.

Wrapping it all up, the three factors of the society is the major problem of the Bangsamoro. The political ascpect in which they cannot see their participation in to the national government and the concept of decentralization or autonomy which they did not enjoy in ARMM, it is their political status in the Philippines. The social or cultural aspect, they are discriminated in the society full of Christians and their culture and religion are a little bit engage to terrorism and most of all their economical aspect that continuously goes down and where they aspire development, the natural resources extracted from Mindanao are concentrated to the center of the government (The Imperial Manila). The least prioritize for the allocation of resources because of conflicts. The Mindanao and the Bangsamoro seeks these developments so they can aspire for  their right to self-determination. These are the major reason of why there is a war in the south of the Philippines. Addressing these problems will be an essential factor to finally end the war. Self-determination is not the last resort of the government to end this agony, a shift to parliamentary type of government will give equalization for both Muslims and Christian in political, social and economical interaction. The small differences is not a problem, it is more about inequality.

As for the conclusion, the three main factors of the society are the grassroots of all of these conflicts. Providing a system that will give an equal participation on the three factors will resolve the agony of the Philippines. A shift to parliamentary would be the solution of the myriad ills of the Philippines as a nation, seats for representing the Bangsamoro or the Muslim community to formulate an effective and good governing equally for Muslims and Christians. Giving want they want with conditions and providing the genuine autonomy vested on ARMM will eliminate the thinking of discrimination. The concept of decentralization must put into a great campaign and execution; the national government must not interfere with the local politics. A more like a federal-parliamentary, will be more sufficient in addressing problems regarding to local autonomy or genuine autonomy.

The cultural diversity or differences would not be a hindrance for uniting the Mindanao back to the Philippines, Filipinos are Filipinos and there is no reason to fight over with the small differences. The government shall focus on the promotion of the equal appreciation of different ethnicity in the Philippines especially with the Muslim who have been discriminated for decades. The government shall be firmly aspiring for the development of being a one nation with a diverse culture. The current charter is insufficient proving the genuine autonomy; it is a call for ratifying or totally changing our charter. A shift to parliament or federal-parliament it the best type of democracy that are fitted to a nation like the Philippines with a diverse culture.

High Tax Rate-Liberalism: The Fundamental Right to Life, Liberty and Property

Liberalism is the political ideology that put us in an equal state, it simply means freedom. An individual must free to do whatever he/she want for the exercise of their rights for freedom. Liberating is the key to individual success; an individual must be competitive for him/her to attain self-development. People have their own rights and they must able to express it without the hindrance of other. Liberalism is promoting a free market and any individual are freely to engage to it. Economical rights, right to own property is the major concept of liberalism and it is free for everyone to participate in all economic practices. The civil rights, right to live and right to be free for a just reason. In accordance to the political philosophy of John Locke, individuals have its own natural rights and the social contract must be favourably for the people not for the government. The fundamental concept of this political ideology is to have the right to live, liberty and property.

            Taxation is political issue because it involves the state and the people. High tax rate gives a big burden to the people but it is a proper and legal way to protect an individual owning a property. Basically people protest on the increase of tax collection, for my opinion tax collection is the assurance of the people to have a private property. First, the state recognizes you as an individual, if the state don’t generate taxes from the people probably your rights as a person is limited. Second, to have a tax to pay for your property is an indication that the state is protecting and recognize your ownership to that property and the land tax serves as an investment for your security. Third, the tax that is deducted to the people individually is to sustain the government from being established and providing security to our welfare. The people have the right to exercise freedom without the hindrance of the state and by collecting taxes it is indicating that you’re investing to the government to protect your right no matter how much it is.

            Liberalism is the solution for the petition of the people for high tax collection, liberating people’s mind will deliver them to understand on why the government require to generate tax from the people. It is the social contract, the government must provide and give liberal form of governing and the people are obliged to support the foundation of their government. Assuring freedom to the people will make them think that it is worth paying for. The government must be strong and firm and without the tax collected from the people the government it will be impossible. This is the idea, the freedom is provided by the government for the people and the people must be loyal in paying tax to maintain and sustain the vision of the government. High tax collection is not a hindrance to acquire private property; it is an indication that anyone can have a property. Tax is institution to fund all governmental function for the securing welfare, freedom and property.

            Solving the grievance of the people regarding High Tax collection is a very simple task. The government must be informative on why they implement the increase of tax rates and it must be for the reason of public’s welfare. The government must be transparent is the allocation and liquidation of the fund generated thru tax collection. People must have an informative idea about tax collection and the government shall explain the advantages of this increase. The state shall provide improvements that will dramatically experience by the people. The government must gain the public’s trust and for the people not to doubt on why the government suddenly increase tax collection. It must be not the idea of acquiring private property is hindered by high tax collection, instead high tax collection serves an assurance and security to acquiring private properties. The government must be clear on explaining it to the public and no misinterpretation shall be made. The government must always imply that tax collection is for the people and not for some individual, they must lay a concrete confirmation that fund generated thru tax is for the welfare of the public. An excellent man, like precious metal, is in every way invariable; a villain, like the beams of a balance, is always varying, upwards and downwards (John Locke). Liberalism must provide economic competency for anyone; everyone is free gain something for his/her personal, social, economical development.