A Study On Evolution In The Philippines' Politics Since 1986

Since independence,the Philippines has experienced the American-style democratic system of separation of powers and Marcos' dictatorship.After overthrowing the autocratic government led by Marcos through the "February Revolution" in 1986,Corazon Aquino promulgates the 1987 Constitution and restores the democratic system.In the process of establishing and consolidating democracy,the rulers try to ease the domestic conflicts,promote economic development,reach a settlement with the rebel forces and amend the Constitution.This thesis,from the perspective of history,systematically reviews the political evolution of the Philippines since 1986.The first chapter elaborates the history from the independence to the "February Revolution" in 1986.After being discovered by Magellan,the Philippines is colonized by Spain and the US and then occupied by Japan in the Second World War,shortly after which it realizes independence.The road to national state is bumpy in that the country is long under the autocratic power of Marcos.The second chapter reviews the history of the government led by the Col Aquino,which enacts a new constitution in 1987 and restores democracy,laying a cornerstone for maintaining political stability in the Philippines.The power and tenure of the president are strictly restricted by the new Constitution,which his successors fail to revise.Chapter Three expounds that after independence,the Philippines follows the political system of the US,which keeps the army politically neutral.However,the soldiers intervene in politics under the military control of Marcos in the late period of his reign.Since then,the soldiers and the army have occupied a special position in politics.The political pressure imposed by the military coup and the soldiers have become a problem to which almost each administration must face up.In addition,corruption is a chronic problem in politics,which each administration after Corazon Aquino has strived to tackle,and President Estrada even steps down because of it.The next chapter focuses on the anti-government armed forces which rise during the reign of Marcos.Since Corazon Aquino comes to power,each administration has been engaged in dialogue with those forces to reach a settlement by political and economic means.As for the "Abu Sayyaf Organization",which appeared in the early 1990,the government regards it as a terrorist group and makes all-out efforts to combat it.Chapter Five summarizes the political evolution of the Philippines since 1986 and makes objective comments.With limits in academic ability and literature retrieved,the author is aware that some problems are to be addressed in the future.