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More Political Than We Admit is a compelling anthology that challenges the public’s perception of Philippine politics. Anchored in the Filipino terms pulitika, pamumulitika, and pinulitika, this collection of essays underscores the inescapable reality of how politics is deeply interwoven into the everyday lives of the Filipinos.

The book’s title alludes to its central argument, which is that Filipinos are “more political than we admit,” playing dual roles—as both objects and subjects—in political processes. This anthology aims to provide novel insights into the paradoxes and intricacies that characterize Philippine politics.

Curated by prominent scholars and emerging voices in political science, this collection features both classic and contemporary essays that delve into critical areas of political life in the country. They explore the idea of Filipino politics through multiple lenses, providing an analytical and empirical roadmap to understanding the origins and intricacies of the Philippine political system. From examining the frameworks of power dynamics to proposing alternative futures for the Filipino people, the book is a thought-provoking exploration of what shapes political engagement in the Philippines.

Divided into four comprehensive chapters, the anthology begins by dissecting the foundations of Filipino politics, presenting the everyday experiences and cultural expressions of ordinary Filipinos as a potent lens for political analysis. The book then moves from these foundational critiques to a theoretical exploration, featuring diverse perspectives that argue for new frameworks to interpret Philippine political realities. The book culminates in essays that navigate the themes of democracy and political power in the Philippines, bringing to light the contradictions and challenges of democratization in a country marked by deep socioeconomic divides.

Through essays on the influence of elite families, political dynasties, and the rise of technocrats, More Political Than We Admit offers a nuanced view of the enduring and evolving nature of power in the Philippines. Together, these essays invite readers to reconsider the meaning of democracy and political participation in the context of a nation grappling with its colonial past and present struggles for just governance.

REVIEW:

“More Political Than We Admit, edited by Prof. Julio C. Teehankee, offers an analytical and empirical road map to help us understand the origins of our political system and its many contradictions. Divided into four chapters, this anthology of seventeen essays also provides information and insights on what is happening in Philippine politics today.

The latest studies by Filipino political scientists presented in this book show a dynamic and pluralist perspective on politics. More Political Than We Admit is a book that everyone—from pundits to academics, highbrows, and organic intellectuals, to the general public—should read and keep within reach.”

Rolando O. Borrinaga, PhD
—Retired Professor, School of Health Sciences, University of the Philippines Manila

ABOUT THE EDITOR

Julio C. Teehankee is Full Professor and Research Fellow of Political Science at the Department of International Studies, De La Salle University. He served as Chair of the Political Science Department (1994–2007); Chair of the International Studies Department (2008-2013); and Dean of the College of Liberal Arts (2013–2017). He also served as President of the Philippine Political Science Association (2017–2019) and the Asian Political and International Studies Association (2009–2011). He is also the Regional Manager of the Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) for Southeast Asia and the Pacific. He has held several visiting appointments, including Kyoto University, Australian National University, City University of Hong Kong, Osaka University, University of Tokyo, Waseda University, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, and the London School of Economics and Political Science. His research is on issues of popular participation, governance, democratization, and contested institutions in East and Southeast Asia. He has published extensively on the topics of elections, party politics, and political dynasties. His latest book, “Rethinking Parties in Democratizing Asia,” has been published by Routledge in 2023. He appears regularly as a political analyst for local and international media outlets and his YouTube channel— “Talk Politics with Julio Teehankee.”