DOMINGO, Blaire Japhet C.

                  ENG 13 THX1: MIRASOL, Audrey Rose

2019-04538                       February 25, 2020
BS Psychology                Position Paper Proposal

34 Years After People Power, the People Have Become Powerless

A. Issue and Status Quo

Thirty-four years ago when millions of Filipinos flocked the streets to conduct protests

and rallies, they were driven by a goal. It was to restore democracy which lost its shine during

the dark times of history. They had succeeded, it eventually led to an ouster of a dictator.

Because of their sacrifices, a democracy was again seen in a suffering country which was even

praised by the world.

It’s now more than three decades after that eventful EDSA People Power Revolution.

This significant landmark in our history reminds us of how the power of the nation emanates

from and for the people.

However, EDSA’s message seems to have lost its meaning in the minds and hearts of the

Filipinos. Today, the event is nothing more than just a holiday that everyone awaits. The

happening in the history that gave us hope on the power we hold as a people has been rarely or

occasionally commemorated.

Remembering the events of EDSA 1, its purpose was apparent and meaningful. It was

their brave pursuit of the democracy that was stolen from the people. However, looking back and

reexamining the accomplishments of EDSA, have we really achieved the democracy that they

dreamt of that time? Or were all the efforts they poured for this dream just went in vain?

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B. Claim and Arguments

We failed those people who once dreamed of achieving an elusive democracy and

sacrificed themselves in that fateful march in EDSA. Because democracy was never achieved,

and the country continues to lose the remaining bits of democracy that it has right now.

Arguments

1. Democracy is frail and feeble in a disempowered and uneducated people. While

taking pride of pioneering democracy in Asia, this government has failed to do its job

to sustain a healthy and thriving democracy. To do this, it has to provide the people

access to opportunities such as education and jobs to enable them for open intellectual

discussions. This is also to ensure they do not turn to become weak-minded voters

who elect only the popular and think democracy is only observed in elections.

2. Equality, freedom, and justice—these three are the main characteristics of a true

democracy. However, these rights are being denied to the people, especially the poor

and the marginalized. They are not given enough opportunity to speak up. Moreover,

the freedoms of speech and the press are always in limbo as the people in power

continue to suppress these freedoms. Lastly, the wheels of justice have not been

rolling in favor of the innocent but for those who have their grip on power.

Possible Counterargument

If democracy has not worked in all these years, should we instead resort to an

authoritarian/ dictatorial rule in the government?

Refutation

Democracy failed to bring the best out of this country because the Filipino people

and the government also failed to work on their part so it could foster. The government and the

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people should work hand-in-hand in order for democracy to grow and foster. The government

should continue providing opportunities to the people, and not deny them of their rights and

freedoms. Meanwhile, the electorate must do their part, engage in open discourse, not bow down

and just turn a blind eye in any form of injustice. We must work collaboratively on good thrusts

and efforts of the government.

C. Implications

This issue deserves more discussions and understanding as it tackles a social reality

pressing the country today. As we look back to the reminiscences of EDSA as a turning point of

our history, we can learn that there are more things we can do to uplift our current situation. Let

us further understand the underlying reasons as to why a significant principle of our political

ideology has failed when it was supposed to prosper. This writing is not intended to point

fingers, or to look for someone to blame. Its sole purpose is serve as a reminder that we should

do more to better the situation of the country. Only if we understand these things, we can see

where to start things and continue working on it.

Personally, this topic is close to my heart as a person fascinated with history and human

interactions. Though I was not even existent when things unfolded in the EDSA I, I am amazed

how protests rally people with different backgrounds through one same objective. As I research

and learn more about this topic, it is my goal to know more about the Filipino people and

understand them, see how people can find a common ground despite of their irreconcilable

differences.

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Bibliography of Possible External Sources

Gill , Graeme. “Personality cult, political culture and party structure”. Studies in Comparative

Communism. Volume 17, Issue 2, 1984, 111-121.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0039359284900085

Liu, J.H., Gastardo-Conaco, C. “Theory and Methods of a Representational Approach to

Understanding Social Movements: The Role of the EDSA Revolution in a National

Psychology of Protest for the Philippines.” Soc Just Res 24, 2011. 168–190

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11211-011-0131-x

Van Erven, Eugene. “Philippine Political Theatre and the Fall of Ferdinand Marcos.” The Drama

Review: TDR, vol. 31, no. 2, 1987, pp. 57–78. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/1145816.

Timberman, D.G. “A changeless land: continuity and change in Philippine politics.” Institute of

Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore (1990)