Political dynasties: Democracy or

demagoguery?
Efren N. PadillaApril 10, 2013 7:50pm
As we approach the May 2013 Election, I cant help myself but raise the fundamental question on
how we allow ourselves to be governed.
If politics is a craft, and to have a craft is to have the expertise of governing, how is it then that those
without it get elected to positions of power?
Why do we thoughtlessly allow self-serving political clans to monopolize political power even with
their inexperienced and unqualified family members? Why do we have the penchant of electing
entertainers without even a modicum of a baccalaureate degree or an iota of educational
specialization to serve and represent us in the legislative branch or executive branch of the
government?
It is a scary thought to entertain that these are the very realities that characterize our current
electoral process, and hence, democratic system. Is it because they possess the popularity that the
multitude is easily drawn into? Or is it because the multitude is easily misled by propaganda. There
may be other reasons to consider.
But if indeed these are the very standards we use to choose our leaders, I am afraid that we may
end up promoting the political ambitions of those who do not have the craft and training, while
undermining the chances of those who have them to truly govern us.
If this is the case, how then is democracy advanced? How can it move forward when the preference
of the unenlightened dominates over the choice of the enlightened---that is, the multitude that does
not have the competence to make judgment about public policies nor understand the complexities of
governmental functions making the collective decision for the rest of the population?
I think the philosopher Plato has an interesting insight when he talked of the possibility that a just
system of government can be had if ruled by a philosopher king.
Why a philosopher king?

Well, it is for the simple reason that for Plato governing is like navigating the proverbial ship around.
As a navigator, he or she must possess the craft of specialized skills and training to direct the ships
course. The ships navigation cannot be simply entrusted to sailors and crews whose seafaring
knowledge is limited and lacking.
In other words, the leadership of the local government and national government must be guided by
experts who have the vision and competence and not by pretenders who depend on their popularity
and personal appeal. There is the danger that a system of government that relies with the latter
qualities may end up being demagogic rather than democratic.
I dont want to be misunderstood. I am not espousing an elitist idea of governance because I still
believe that in a democratic system, majority rules. However I believe that for our system of
government to be truly democratic, it must require at a minimum, a reasoned and oppositional public
debate between opposing candidates during the electoral process.
Why the debate?
Because there is no other way that the citizenry can be spared from the corrupting influence of
money and the ruthless distortion it generates via advertising hype and political sound-bite. Without
the debate, theres nothing left for the citizenry to educate themselves about the candidates
qualification and competence, short of populism and illusion created by glib spin-doctors.
Thus, in a truly democratic system, it must be incumbent upon every candidate to inform and
enlighten the citizenry in a public debate about policy issues.
Unfortunately, this is what many candidates are trying not to do. Theyd rather avoid it, by all means.
As the senatorial candidate Nancy Binay wryly puts it Not now and Lets win the Senate race first,
then we can debate on the Senate floor when challenged to a debate by another senatorial
candidate Risa Hontiveros.
The reply may be quick and clever but an unfortunate one. Its unfortunate because now, we wont
have a chance to really gauge the candidates qualification to run as a senator.
There is no doubt that as the daughter of a well-to-do and dynasty-promoting Vice-President of the
Philippines, she is now a well-known political candidate, just like her younger sister, and her younger
brother. And all that, is by virtue of filial association.

Thanks to her Dad.

But then, the same thing can be said of other political candidates who simply ingratiate themselves
with their familys name, popularity, and political war chest.
And the demagoguery continues.