The problem with our country is that we've never had a political system that's our own.
Every system we've had has been adapted from other countries. We did not evolve with it. It was just thrust down our throats. The consequence of this ill-fit is that we tend to improperly implement it as it's not attuned to our natures, our culture.
This is the only thing I learned in the one and only class of political science I took. But I think it resonated with me because of the truth of it.
Democracy worked in Europe because they've already matured politically. They have already gone through many system of governments that changed as their ideologies did. In our country, we went straight from slavedom to democracy. There's bound to be problems there.
Given that, what would be the ideal political system for us, as of today?
I've always believed that this country's future is in our patriarchal-church-led-feudal culture.
That sound's rather backward, doesn't it?
I have and will always blame the church's role in colonizing us and enslaving our minds to a point that generations after, we're still not free from our feudal thinking and roles.
But think about it, we have ingrained habits & values from our feudal and colonial past spanning generations of Filipinos. We are not a democratic nation in the truest sense of the word. We are not equals. Each man's vote does not count as one but as a commodity available to the highest bidder.
However, I also know that changing habits and status quo takes time. I believe in harvesting existing ways of thinking and living in a smart and enlightened fashion by people who really have this country's best interests at heart.
Our people are still feudal - clamoring for a patriarch/matriarch to guide them & lead them. It is sad but I have noticed no matter how talented a person is, if she or he has no claim to fame or famous ancestor, people do not see him/her as a leader. On the other hand, the witless son or daughter of the richest family in town is followed unquestioned because of their status.
It is because of this that I believe the future of this country lies in the enlightened elites of our society: Those who are thrust above others by default because of feudal conditioning. These are the spiritual leaders, businessmen, intellectuals and most specially the sons & daughters of rich and prominent families in their area.
The key is that they must have no ego problems. What we need are the people who are well-educated and forward thinkers to enter the system and work within in to transform it. And they do this because they really care about the country. Also, they will be less prone to corruption because they cannot be tempted by money, power or recognition as they already have it.
A few exist. I know that a few who really know better are out there and I implore them to get our of their cocoons and help in the best way they can.
They don't have to enter government. They can be centers of influence in their offices, baranggays, schools and the home.
At the very least, where they are, all they have to do is take a moral stand and direct people's values. It can be as simple as teaching children of today to be respectful to their elders, be mindful of their manners and to pick up their trash. The important thing is those whom people automatically look up to because of feudal perceptions should be conscious of their roles to serveas models for citizens.
For now, this will do. Enlightenment will take time. I eagerly await the next stage in our political evolution where wisdom can rule us, not crude magic or threats. (To paraphrase from CS Lewis' The Voyage of the Dawn Treader) . We have to start somewhere, and I believe this starting point is sound.
