Kristian KounturMariz del RioLivias Leeroy Shoko

RIZAL: A POLITICAL PHILOSOPHER

Introduction

• In the Philippines, philosophers seem to be taken as outrageous, nasty, and annoying. Being a Filipino himself, Dr. Jose Rizal joined the majority of the Filipinos to consider philosophers as non-sense, dumb, and stupid - in fact, sometimes crazy. This is evident in his use of Pilosopong Tasyo in his notable writings.

• Rizal was known as an illustrado.

• In Rizal’s political view, a conquered country like the Philippines should not be taken advantage of but rather should be developed, civilized, educated and trained in the science of self-government.

• In his essay “The Philippines: A Century Hence,” contains predictions on the possible future of the Philippines within a hundred years:

1. that the Philippines would stay a Spanish colony provided its citizens receive not only the rights and privileges of citizens of the Spanish crown, but also the inherent rights of a human being;

2. that the Philippines will inevitably rise in revolt against Spain if continuously exploited and abused;

3. and that the Philippines may be conquered by other nations after Spain's presence in the country is extinguished.

Basic Political Reforms:

1. The restoration of Filipino representation to the Spanish Cortes and freedom of the press

2. Reorganization of the administrative machinery

3. Adoption of comprehensive examination and the publication of its results and allowing Filipinos to have same opportunity with the Spaniards to hold government office.

4. Justice is the foundation of society and the government.

Rizal’s Concept of Government and Politics

Max Weber defines government as “monopoly of the legitimate use of physical power”

In which is UNFAIR says Rizal. Its emphasize is the corruption of the Spanish bureaucrat.

Rizal wrote: “In order to govern people he does not know or understand, he ought to possess the talent of a genius and extraordinary knowledge.”

The Key Ingredients of Politics in the

Noli Me Tangere

Rizal’s Definition of Basic Political Terms

1. Political Culture - is a set of ideas, values and attitudes about government and political process held by a community or nation.

2. Political Socialization – defined as the process by which people at various stages of their lives, acquire views and orientation about politics.

3. Political Ideology – is a comprehensive and logically ordered set of beliefs about the nature of people and bout the institutions and role of government.

4. Nationalism – is the idea of oneness by a group of people who possess common traditions, a shared history, a set of goals, and a belief in a specific future.

5. Representative Government – is the notion that the people have an inherent right to sit in a chamber that determines their future.

6. Democracy – a government in which all power is shared by citizens is labeled a democracy.

Rizal Would Criticize Today’s Society

Conclusion:

We can be free but we cannot be independent. We can be independent but we cannot be free. Before we can reach that true freedom that we’re aspiring for, we need to have enough education to have individuality.

Without Rizal, there may have been a delay in the maturation of our libertarian struggle.

Insights

The true hero is one with the masses: he does not exist above them.  In fact, a whole people can be heroes given the proper motivation and articulation of their dreams. And learning to live together and prospering as a nation will help build a strong foundation or our motherland.