James Putzel

Globalization, Liberalization, and Prospects for the State

Patterns of globalization and liberalization need to be examined in light of their political consequences, especially in the context of situations of state collapse and violent conflict. Champions of globalization can be divided into two camps – the advocates of economic liberalization and the promoters of global governance. They share a common skepticism of the state, which ignores both the developmental lessons of history and the perverse impact liberalization has had on peace and security. While liberalization has transformed the terrain of politics, privileging a form of semi-democracy, problems of violent conflict highlight the urgent need for the reconstitution of modern states in the developing world.

Managing the ‘main force’: The communist party and the peasantry in the Philippines

Despite the success of the Communist Party of the Philippines in winning rural support, its work has consistently been characterized by an instrumentalist approach to the peasantry. The article begins with an examination of the foundations of the party’s attitude towards the peasantry and its roots in Marxist-Leninist theory and practice It goes to consider evidence of the party’s instrumental approach in practice, examining the impact on legal peasant organizations and the experience of socio-economic projects in the countryside. Attention next turns to an analysis of the party’s attitude towards “united front work” and its impact on coalition-building among the peasantry. Finally, the author considers the implications of the current split and debates in the ranks of the CPP for the peasantry and for the future of radical politics in the country.

Survival of an imperfect democracy in the Philippines

Despite the mythology surrounding the 1986 ‘people power revolution’ in the Philippines, the political system remains a deeply flawed and fragile democracy. This study employs institutional analysis and a critical adaptation of concepts of social capital and political legitimacy to explain both the weaknesses of democracy and its survival. An historical analysis of the evolution of the political system demonstrates that a mismatch between the formal institutions of democracy introduced under US colonial rule and entrenched informal institutions of patronage politics has prevented democratic deepening and the construction of civic‐minded social capital. The concentration of power and wealth in relatively few hands and the persistence of local ‘boss rule’ have subjected democratic forms of governance to repeated crises of legitimacy. Nevertheless, 13 years of predatory authoritarian rule under Ferdinand Marcos and the collapse of the communist movement have discredited non‐democratic alternatives. The resto...

The business of aid: Transparency and accountability in European union development assistance

The European Union has emerged as one of the worlds largest aid donors. However, its multilateral aid programme, while well-placed to set a new standard in development assistance, suffers from problems of democratic accountability confronting all transnational actors in an increasingly global community. Examination of the rules governing the European Commissions aid programme to Asian and Latin American countries reveals a pattern of perverse incentives facing private consultants and a lack of access to information that makes the programme virtually unaccountable to both European taxpayers and citizens in recipient countries. Case material from the Philippines illustrates the problems in the Commissions aid programme. Proposals for reform are presented that are both politically feasible and capable of making the programme significantly more transparent and accountable.