Elitism as we all know is the rule of the privileged minority in the society.

In Moscas the The

Ruling Class, he proclaimed that all societies, two classes of people appear a class that rules
and a class that is ruled. In his view, the resources or attributes that are necessary for rule are
always unequally distributed, and further, a cohesive minority will always be able to manipulate
and control the masses, even in parliamentary democracy (Heywood 2013). In his article Evans
(n.d.) stated that the rulers (elite) of the society constitute a socially cohesive group that is
closed off from the ruled and territorially based within a nation state. He also added that its
members are selected by virtue of their economic, political or ideological resources.

Philippines as the First Malayan Republic (Zaide 1965) is known as a third world country in
Southeast Asia. It acquired the moniker Rising Tiger of Asia, due to the development of its
economic and political reforms. But, behind this success, it has been regarded that the
Philippines is ruled by an elite group; an irresponsible elite group. Our elite of power and wealth
is extremely diverse. Their members range from the genteel remnants of the colonial haciendero
families to the grossest political-warlord clans (Gatbonton 2010). The Philippine society is
complemented by business elites and political elites such as dynasties of families.

Elites are not that bad in our society as long as it help and support the marginalized ones.
According to Heywood (2013), Noblesse Oblige means the obligation of the nobility. In general
terms, the responsibility to guide or protect those less fortunate or less privileged. But, some
elites in the Philippines forget or is not aware about the concept of Noblesse Oblige, thus making
them the irresponsible elites.

To Elitists, what holds the people is this lack of superiority. Elitism recognizes the need for
people to be governed, and decides that elitists should rule because of all the material power
around, which they have the most. In theory, by making those with the most possession the ones
in power there will be order due to the elites keeping it together in order to sustain their foothold
in society.

But that has not been always the case. In Mendoza, Beja Jr., Venida and Yaps article Inequality
in democracy: Insights from an empirical analysis of political dynasties in the 15 th Philippine
Congress published in 2012, Coronel (2007) suggests that a combination of factors like wealth,
popularity, political machinery, alliances, myth, and violence contribute to the formation of
political dynasties. Undeniably, Coronels given factors are correct for Boehringer (2013) also
argues that, however we look at it, wealth remains the dominant factor in Philippine Elections.
Politicians together with its supporters withdraw lots of money before the election for vote
buying. Philippine politics, along with other aspects of society, rely heavily on kinship and other
personal relationships.

In the Philippine context, in order to win an election whether it is national or local, a candidate
must always be popular. Also, the candidate must always have a connection to other elite groups
or families in order to increase its followers and supporters. Violence also, is a factor to the
formation of political dynasties in the Philippines. Iraq ranked first for the most dangerous
country for journalists because of the dispute back then with USA. Not until that nightmare of
the 23rd day of November where at least 57 men and women were brutally murdered in
Maguindanao (Manzano 2011). One of the victims who died in the massacre was Buluan Vice
Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu. They were on their way to the provincial capital to file his
candidacy papers for Maguindanao's governorship in next year's general elections. It's a position
that Ampatuan's father had occupied unopposed since 2001 and which Ampatuan planned to
contest to keep the seat in the family (McIndoe 2009).

Philippines as a Presidential and Democratic type system adheres to popular responsiveness in

which citizens are free to run in elections. Due to this fact, Filipinos often vote by popularity and
can easily be bribed by money during elections. For this reason elites run in Government,
especially in the legislative body, in order to pass or suggest laws that will protect and develop
their own businesses. They make connections with other elite businessmen in order to ensure its
position in the government.

Additionally, in a book published by the Director of the Institute of Business Administration in

Karachi, Pakistan, he showed how elitism affects the economy of a State. Giving Pakistan as an
example of an elitist State, he noted that one percent (1%) of states population is composed of
an elitist class that has the ability to rig the market and hijack the state for their benefit. He
added, This small minority was able to enjoy its unjust accumulation of wealth in the midst of
widespread poverty (Dawn, 2011).

In summary, some elite families form cohesive group to support each other and form dynasties.
At first they will ensure that the position will remain in their family and then followed by the
allied elite family or sometimes presides by their future relatives. In contrast, other elites are
subjected in a competition with other elites. In Evans (n.d.) article about Elitism, Mosca argued
that Elite circulation will usually occur through inheritance but, from time to time, power will
pass into the hands of another class due to the failure and collapse of political formula. The fall
of one elite group will cause the rise of another.
References:

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rule ok. Retrieved from: http://bulatlat.com/main/2013/06/19/part-3/

Dawn News. (2011 November 12). Consequences of Elitism. Retrieved from

https://www.dawn.com/news/672775

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irresponsible-filipino-elite/

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http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/philippines/politics.htm

http://www.internationalist.org/philippinewarlords0912.html