Chapter I: Introduction

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Rationale

Since the beginning of time, human beings have sought for a way to improve their lifestyles and ways of living. Hopes of comfort, peace, and a utopian world crossed the great minds of the past. These geniuses then created systems of control wherein a peaceful society could be achieved. These so-called systems of control enabled leaders to implement order in a community. Politics is an example of a system of control. The first formations of government decades ago gave power to those that seemed worthy to lead the people. This so-called power was only temporary, but yet many of these leaders and their families seemed to like the expanding feeling of superiority. So these leaders employ a kind of government called Dictatorship.

            Dictatorship has already been witnessed all around the world. From Italy to here in the Philippines, dictators have reigned for many years causing different effects on society and the nation. Here in the Philippines, we had our very own dictator. His name was Ferdinand Marcos and he was the President of the Philippines for many years. Under his regime, the Philippines felt and experienced a hard and difficult life. His implementation of the Martial Law made everything stricter and more difficult for the Filipino people. Marcos ways were somewhat similar to the teachings of a great political philosopher. That philosopher was Niccolo Machiavelli. His philosophies include: “The end justifies the means” – this means that a leader can use any way or option possible in order for him to obtain and remain in power. The leader can also do anything even the most undesirable action just to come up with the desired result.

            The relationship between the two men is somewhat close. We believe that though maybe unintentional, Ferdinand Marcos has applied the famous Machiavellian Theory to his regime. The laws and principles that Marcos implemented were, most of the time, very strict and sometimes too harsh for many of the citizens. At times, the attitude showed by the president at that time clearly follows the concept of Niccolo Machiavelli. This belief of Marcos greatly affected the entire nation.

            Our study focuses on the perception of our respondents to the effectiveness of a Machiavellian rule on our county. Our study aims to find out whether our respondents, 1st year Political Science students, are well aware of the Marcos Regime and the Machiavellian Philosophy. Also, this study aims to find out whether these students believe that a Machiavellian rule is an effective one for our country. The parameters or factors that we believe are necessary and influencing to the opinions of our respondents are the following: high school, hometown, and economic status. This is because each of the mentioned factors could help influence our respondents’ way of thinking at some point in their life.

            High school is where students learn the real basics of politics. There, they are taught the famous concepts and philosophers that influence the government today. The Machiavellian Philosophy used in this study could be introduced during those years in high school – more so with Ferdinand Marcos and his regime. But this is not always the case; some high schools do not offer that much broad knowledge on these topics as some. The levels of learning on these subject matters differ depending on the school our respondents went to before college.

            Another factor considered in our study is hometown. We decided to include the hometown as a probable influencing factor on their perceptions of our study because we know that our respondents come from different towns and cities in the Philippines. This means that the culture and upbringing in the places are different. For example, a town could believe that the Marcos regime was a truly beneficial one for the Philippines while another town would oppose and say that it is the exact opposite of it, The upbringing of the respondent in his/her hometown plus the culture and beliefs of the said town would greatly affect his/her opinions on our study.

            One more factor that helps shape perception based on our topic is economic status. This factor actually encompasses many sub factors. When one is rich for example, he/she could have went to a good school where the lessons relevant to our topic is thoroughly discussed and on the other hand, if one is poor, then he/she could have went to a school that does not teach the subject matter well. Also, his/her upbringing in the family, either rich or poor, could affect the way of thinking.

            These factors in our study are based from the theory we found called the Perspective Theory. This theory says that there are many defining factors involved in order to reach a certain perspective on something. Using this theory, we aim to find out which of these factors can help influence the perspective of our respondents on the effectiveness of the Machiavellian rule here in the Philippines a.k.a. The Marcos Regime.

           

Statement of the Problem

            This study aimed to determine the perspectives of the UP first year political science students on the effectiveness of the Machiavellian philosophy on Marcos Regime.

            Specifically, to solve the following objectives:

1.    To determine the perspectives of the UP first year political science students on the effectiveness of the Machiavellian philosophy on Marcos Regime.

2.    To determine if the following factors such as sex, hometown and economic status will intervene on the trend of opinion of the respondents.

3.    To find out the similarities between the regime of Ferdinand Marcos and Nicollo Machiavelli’s form of leadership.

Significance of the Study

            This study was conducted to determine whether the UP first year agree on the effectiveness of leadership during Marcos regime where Machiavellian philosophy was applied.

In line with this, this research aims to fully understand the underlying principles regarding this concern and intends to benefit the following:

The pupils and students, for them to acquire the awareness on the form of leaderships the country was and will face , to be emotionally mature , socially aware, proactive and involved in public and civic affairs and be adequately prepared for the world of responsibility, where in the near future they will soon face like election.

Moreover, this study would aid them to have finality whether the kind of leadership presented should duly be supported based on their perceptions.

This study would help them to continually advocate for the best form of leadership  this country deserves or needs.

For the future researchers who would aspire to apprehend this concern in a broader perspective, for them to have an existing study that will serve as their foundation in seeking for the same perspectives of students (UP 1^st  year Political Science) for the future leaders that would benefit the entire country socially and economically.

Scope and Limitations

            This study took place in the campus of the University of the Philippines Cebu, Lahug Cebu City. The scope of the study or research included all the Up first year political science students (21) who answered the questionnaires given on the duration of the study.

            The study included intervening variables such as sex, hometown and the socio-economic classes or status of the UP first year political science students which were dependent on their household monthly income categorized in above average and average to below average class households.

            These factors were helpful in the study in determining the perspectives of the UP first year political science students on the effectiveness of the Machiavellian Philosophy on Marcos regime.