Thinking about people’s empowerment

This year has been decisive since the transition of power after the May 2022 elections. While previous administrations have bannered good governance, its fruits were felt mainly by those in the upper class and not by the grassroots.

Several factors have been behind this failure of good governance to reach out to the majority: (1) the inevitable tide of globalization that created win-or-lose circumstances, particularly on labor conditions in the country; (2) the rise of anti-intellectualism, and the weaponization of social media through the spread of disinformation and misinformation that have undermined the significance of peer review and other meticulous processes of seeking out and validating information; (3) the malfunctioning educational system which only focuses on “objective facts” that offer a shallow understanding of systemic issues and mold human capital for labor export, instead of empowering learners and communities to advance genuine reforms, and; (4) the perennial problem of political dynasties, patronage politics, and weak democracy that have failed to uplift the condition of the masses.

When it comes to the socio-politico-economic state of the country, it is imperative to think not just about being able to “serve” the people, but to also “empower” them. As proposed by Sherry Arnstein in 1969, the Ladder of Citizen Participation capitalizes on the idea of citizen participation in policymaking, decision-making, and alternative development. According to this theory, citizen control as the end goal provides people the capacity to form policies and programs, and manage projects, among others, without intervention from the usual state actors. The practice can thus be considered a form of self-determination and autonomous governance.

Given this theory, citizens within their communities and localities can establish and practice a “grassroots” type of democratic governance that focuses on an egalitarian mode of governance, food sovereignty, customs and traditions, among others. Hence, it is crucial for state actors to be able to distinguish and understand the situation in every community for them to be able to craft better policies and programs. It is insufficient for the process of governance to use a top-down approach. Rather, a bottom-up approach should be considered, applied, monitored, and practiced by all state actors, who should listen to, replicate, and even include local communities that practice alternatives and self-determination.

With people empowerment as foremost priority, here are some suggestions that can be applied by individuals, institutions, state and nonstate actors, firms, and entities to achieve it. First, in solving social problems, consider applying the whole-of-society approach, which focuses on the importance of all sectors (i.e. if the country is attempting to mitigate and adapt to climate change, local communities, the private sector, skilled workers, government employees, residents and homeowners, and others must be consulted and included in crafting policies related to it). Second, political discussions among peers, friends, and colleagues should be normalized. This encourages the healthy politization of people and improves the lenses by which they view national and local policies that affect their daily lives. Third, the state should consult various sectors (i.e., academics, think tanks, researchers, community leaders, cooperatives, practitioners of grassroots governance, residents, etc.) and include them and their practices of alternative forms of self-determination and grassroots democracy.

When it comes to social protection and social amelioration programs, it is imperative to not just give monetary incentives but to ensure that sustainability and empowerment on the part of the beneficiaries are encouraged. The state can provide training on livelihood, operating small-scale businesses, and other forms of sustainability efforts that would allow beneficiaries to become part of micro, small, and medium enterprises, which would create streams of income and opportunities for them.

Lastly, all state and nonstate actors should directly involve the community they’re working with in crafting new policies and programs for the welfare of all. They should be included in reviewing, proposing alternatives, and ways of going forward that would improve existing policies and programs, and maximize people’s capabilities in all areas.

The challenges faced by democracy are tremendous. Mainstreaming good governance and civil liberties are insufficient. Hence, the new frontier of people’s empowerment should be upheld to strengthen their participation, introduce genuine and inclusive reforms, and ensure that their capability to serve is maximized.

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Juniesy Estanislao is currently taking up a master’s degree in Philippine studies, major in development studies, at the Asian Center in the University of the Philippines Diliman. He also teaches junior high school at the Barangka National High School in Marikina.