Synthesis
Blog #9: Last blog for the term!
Finally, we reached the final lapse in this race.
This course, Democracy and politics of change, has left us many notable learnings. For the past weeks, we have introduced into many concepts and gave us some further understanding of its complexities. However, what does these lessons really means in our real life aside from its meanings we memorized?
We started off with the lessons about the theories of democracy. At the start of the term, my knowledge regarding democracy is only limited. Knowingly only the basics of democracy. But as our discussions in class goes deeper, that’s where i knew there’s more to it. The theories of democracy not only explains the differences and similarities between the different forms of democracy but also taught us how we can use these as a tool for a better society. Like for instance, since having a democratic ruling country permit its citizens to participate in making laws and public policies by regularly choosing their leaders and by voting in assemblies, we can say that the political participation of the constituents could be really a big help in pressuring their representatives to do a better job and commit fully to their respective responsibilities as a public servant. The notion of political participation can really influence the decision-making of one’s government; Not only political participation, but also the other theories of democracy have its corresponding role in the decision-making process of the authorities. Thus, after discussing this module regarding the theories of democracy, I realized that it is really an instrument for achieving a good governance in a democratic ruling government.
As soon as we finished the module for the theories of democracy, we immediately proceed discussing the theories of social movements. Social movements defined as a loosely organized effort by a large group of people to achieve a social or political goal. There are different movements that are being organized but there is one common scenario wherein a movement could be assemble; a social movements could be the effect of the citizens’ rage if they are not satisfied with the performance of their representatives. This is clearly being represented in our country. The Philippines has a rich history of having a number of organized movements. The EDSA revolutions are its prominent examples. And if we analyzed these examples, we can see a common pattern on why people unite and organized a movement during those times. It is because of the government’s incompetence and how they are willingly to kill people just to retain their power. And as years passed by, this is still the problem why social movements are very vulnerable to happen. As long there is a group continues to be marginalized in the society, social movements will always be an option for action. I am not saying that these movements will always happen on the streets but since we have social media platforms, the online world could also be a venue for social movements. In conclusion, just like the theories of democracy, the concept of social movements could also have a big impact in real life application.
And the last module we have discussed is about political violence. Political violence is violence outside of state control that is politically motivated. Political scientists see this as part of “contentious politics” or collective political struggle, which includes such things as revolutions, civil war, riots and strikes, but also more peaceful protest movements. As we discussed these things in class, I realized that political violence is really a big threat to humanity. Its danger could affect millions of people. Like what’s currently happening in the middle east countries. Because of civil wars, people are dying. Most especially, the children who resides to that affected state. Imagine the bloodbath they are experiencing. People getting killed without mercy just because of the political agendas by their country leaders. It really saddens me to see these kind of news in my social media everyday.
Theories of democracy, social movement and political violence gave us a glimpse of the sad reality of politics. Their consequences really affect our daily lives. Nevertheless, even if there are negative outcomes to it, there are still positive outcomes; like for instance, the concepts taught us how to think critically and make good decisions. Its complexities brought us to dig deeper aside from its meanings and definitions. Therefore, this course really taught me how to see things from different perspectives using its lessons.
Reference:
Politics, power, and purpose : An orientation to political Science. Retrieved from https://fhsu.pressbooks.pub/orientationpolisci/chapter/chapter-5/