Rizal as a Political

Philosopher
RIZAL WOULD CRITICIZE TODAY’S SOCIETY

GROUP 2
 01
LEARNING

Outcomes
Describe the social, political and economic
conditions of the world and the Philippines
during Rizal’s time.

02
Examine the political situation during Rizal’s
time.
 Rizal’s Concept of
Government and Politics
Government
 Government
a system or organization that has the authority and power to make
and enforce laws and decisions for a specific geographic area or
group of people.
 Concept of Government
in Weber's work, particularly in his essay "Politics as
a Vocation," he discusses the characteristics of a
state and its authority.

rise of an institution which has a “monopoly of the

legitimate use of physical power.”

complains that government is an institution that

could legally take people’s property by taxing them,
Max Weber imprisoning them, and even executing them
 Concept of Government
while Rizal did not provide a concise definition of
government, his works reflect certain ideas about
governance and the role of the state.

Rizal’s definition of government and politics focused on

the Spanish influences. One of Rizal’s strongest
criticisms of Spaniards colonialization was the
corruption of the bureaucracy.

“In order to govern peoples he does not know or

Jose Rizal
understand, he ought to possess the talent of a genius
and extraordinary knowledge.”
 In his letters to the Filipino leaders, Rizal
commented at length about government. In a
letter to Mariano Ponce, Rizal remarked that
one day Filipino political leaders would finish
their “arduous mission which is the formation
of the Filipino nation.”
Dr. Jose Rizal wrote a letter to Mariano Ponce dated
November 18, 1889, amid a critical period in the Philippine
Propaganda Movement characterized by strong
nationalistic feelings. Rizal's letter shows his dedication to
the fight for Philippine independence and his unwavering
support for his fellow villagers.

His message to Mariano Ponce, in this

tense environment, offered a ray of
hope, pushing him to keep going in
the fight for the liberation of the
Philippines.
Rizal’s definition of Basic
Political Terms
Political Culture
It is a set of ideas on values about
government and political process held by a
community or nation
Rizal on Political
Culture
In his essay “The Indolence of the Filipinos” Rizal observed
that “without education and liberty…no reform is
impossible.”

The political culture could not thrive in the Philippines

because of the inability of the Spanish to recognize local
political values. Only with education could Filipinos
overcome this deficiency.
 Political Socialization
It is one of the main elements of political
science. Also defined as the process by
which people, at various stages in their lives,
acquire views and orientations about politics.
 Rizal on Political
Socialization
By emphasizing the importance of being a Filipino, Rizal
accelerated the process of local nationalism. His criticism
of the friars and the church helped to change attitudes
toward local nationalism.
Political Ideology
It is a comprehensive and logically ordered
set of beliefs about the nature of people
and about the institutions and role of
government.
 Rizal on Political
Ideology
….we are speaking of the present condition of the Philippines…yes, we
are entering upon a period of strife…the strife is between the past,
which seizes and strives with curses to cling to the tottering feudal
castles, and the future, whose some of triumph may be heard from
afar. Bringing the message of good news from other land.”

Rizal introduced a fierce brand of ideology which had made Filipinos

among the most political people in the world.
 Nationalism
is a the idea of oneness by a group of
people who possess common traditions,
ashared history, a set of goals, and a
belief in a specific future.
Rizal stressed the importance of studying
Rizal on
Nationalism
history for Filipino nationalism.
In a letter to Blumentritt, he advocated for
stimulating Philippine studies.
Rizal believed history provides a true self-
concept and motivates nations to achieve
greatness.
Recognized as the dominant national hero, he
had a clear vision for the Philippines' future.
Onofre D. Corpuz considers Rizal the "father
of the country."
Representative
Government
it is the notion that the people have
an inherent right to sit in a chamber
that determines their future.
Rizal on Representative
Government
Spain granted Filipinos representation in
the Spanish Cortes from May 1809.
Queen Maria Cristina removed this
privilege in 1836.
Rizal believed representation was crucial
for the governing process.
He argued that representation helped
prevent the spirit of revolution.
Democracy
a government in which all power is shared
by citizens. The word demos is derived from
a Greek word which means people.
Rizal on
Democracy
Rizal favored a government blending representative
democracy with a responsible model.
He believed Filipinos needed time to actively engage in
local government.
Rizal's definition of democracy was evident in his
writings, public speeches, and advocacy for Philippine
democracy.
Jose Rizal as
an Ilustrado in
19 th Century
Conclusion
RIZAL WOULD CRITICIZE TODAY’S SOCIETY
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.
Thank
you!