Southeast Asia: Table of Contents
Organizer: Paul Hutchcroft, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Chair: Mary P. Callahan, Naval Post Graduate School
Discussants: Emil P. Bolongaita, Jr., Asian Institute of Management; Paul Hutchcroft, University of Wisconsin, Madison; Alfred W. McCoy, University of Wisconsin, Madison; Joel Rocamora, Institute for Popular Democracy; Steven Rood, University of the Philippines, Baguio City; Mark R. Thompson, University of Glasgow
In May 1998, the Philippines is to hold its second national elections since the fall of Ferdinand Marcos and the restoration of democratic institutions under Corazon Aquino in 1986. Under Fidel Ramos, who succeeded Aquino in 1992, economic reforms have contributed to a renewal of economic growth in what used to be termed the "sick man of Asia." Now the Philippines is being held up as an example that development can be achieved with democracy.
With the coming elections as backdrop, a group of scholars with varied specializations propose to assess major trends in Philippine politics during the Ramos years and speculate on the sustainability of these trends into the next administration. Each will be asked to address a common set of questions: (1) what has been the impact of the Ramos years on major aspects of Philippine politics?; (2) to what extent do recent developments seem to suggest fundamental structural change, and to what extent do they suggest the endurance of traditional elements of the socio-economic and political order?; and (3) what do these developments portend for the next administration?
Participants will be asked to provide pithy opening assessments in order that one-half of the session will be devoted to discussion and audience participation. The particular realms of Philippine politics to be addressed include political reform, elections and party structure, the political sustainability of economic reform, politics of the military and police, public perceptions of major political trends (through Social Weather Stations polling data), and Mindanao politics.