Dynastic Politics and Democratic Choice: Exploring Voter Perceptions in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69569/jip.2025.193Keywords:
Democracy, Dynastic politics, Elections, Voter perceptionAbstract
Political dynasties have long been dominant in Philippine politics, shaping electoral outcomes and governance structures. This study explores voter perceptions of dynastic politics and democratic choice in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, using a qualitative research design through one-on-one interviews with 12 participants. Findings reveal that while some voters recognize the potential benefits of political dynasties, such as experienced leadership and continuity in governance, many express concerns about their impact on fair competition, political diversity, and the emergence of new leaders. Participants highlight factors influencing their voting decisions, including candidate qualifications, integrity, and platforms, rather than solely relying on family background. The study also identifies increasing voter awareness regarding the need for political reform and a stronger emphasis on merit-based electoral choices. However, systemic challenges, such as limited political opportunities for independent candidates and the deeply rooted influence of name recognition, continue to sustain dynastic dominance. These findings contribute to the broader discourse on political participation and democratic representation in the Philippines. The study underscores the need for voter education programs, policy reforms, and grassroots political engagement to promote a more competitive and inclusive democratic process. Recommendations for future research include examining policy interventions to reduce dynastic influence in local elections.
Downloads
References
Batara, E., Labadan, A. K., & Roa, M. (2021). Factors affecting youth voting preferences in the Philippine senatorial election: A structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis. Jurnal Studi Pemerintahan, 242-264. https://doi.org/10.18196/jgp.123137
Canare, T. A., Mendoza, R. U., & Navarro, G. M. (2013). Will access to information on political dynasties alter voting behavior? Evidence from a Philippine youth voting experiment. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2292253
Crosman, K. M., Allison, E. H., Ota, Y., Cisneros-Montemayor, A. M., Singh, G. G., Swartz, W., Bailey, M., Barclay, K. M., Blume, G., Colléter, M., Fabinyi, M., Faustman, E. M., Fielding, R., Griffin, P. J., Hanich, Q., Harden-Davies, H., Kelly, R. P., Kenny, T. A., Klinger, T., Kittinger, J. N., Nakamura, K., Pauwelussen, A. P., Pictou, S., Rothschild, C., Seto, K. L., & Spalding, A. K. (2022). Social equity is key to sustainable ocean governance. NPJ Ocean Sustainability, 1(1), Article 4. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44183-022-00001-7
Cruz, C., Labonne, J., & Querubin, P. (2020). Social network structures and the politics of public goods provision: Evidence from the Philippines. American Political Science Review, 114(2), 486-501. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0003055419000789
Dela Cruz, L. (2021). Beyond the classics: Identifying gaps and setting trajectory in understanding political dynamics in Philippine local politics. Scientia, 10(2), 94-109. https://doi.org/10.57106/scientia.v10i2.135
Dulay, D., & Go, L. (2022). When running for office runs in the family: Horizontal dynasties, policy, and development in the Philippines. Comparative Political Studies, 55(4), 588-627. https://doi.org/10.1177/00104140211024292
Dulay, D., Hicken, A., Menon, A., & Holmes, R. (2023). Continuity, history, and identity: Why Bongbong Marcos won the 2022 Philippine presidential election. Pacific Affairs, 96(1), 85-104. https://doi.org/10.5509/202396185
Farazmand, A. (1999). The elite question: Toward a normative elite theory of organization. Administration & Society, 31(3), 321-360. https://doi.org/10.1177/00953999922019166 George, S. E., & Ponattu, D. (2019). Like father, like son? The effect of political dynasties on economic development. Harvard University Working Paper. https://tinyurl.com/ycyn56mx Jimenez, J. (2023). Negros Oriental and its politicians. The Freeman. https://tinyurl.com/mr3cu29j
Kulachai, W., Lerdtomornsakul, U., & Homyamyen, P. (2023). Factors influencing voting decision: a comprehensive literature review. Social Sciences, 12(9), 469. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12090469
Labonne, J., Parsa, S., & Querubin, P. (2019). Political dynasties, term limits and female political empowerment: Evidence from the Philippines (No. w26431). National Bureau of Economic Research. https://doi.org/10.3386/w26431
Lema, K., Flores, M. (2024). Marcos-Duterte battle in focus ahead of Philippines midterm election. Reuters. https://tinyurl.com/4nfajsns
Mendoza, R. U., Yap, J. K., Mendoza, G. A. S., Jaminola III, L., & Yu, E. C. (2022). Political dynasties, business, and poverty in the Philippines. Journal of Government and Economics, 7, 100051. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jge.2022.100051
Mendoza, R. U., Banaag, M. S., Hiwatig, J. D., Yusingco, M. H. L., & Yap, J. K. (2020). Term limits and political dynasties in the Philippines: Unpacking the links. Asia-Pacific Social Science Review, 20(4), 8. https://doi.org/10.59588/2350-8329.1336
Mendoza, R. U., Mendoza, G. A. S., Teehankee, J. C., Tuaño, P. A. P., & Yap, J. K. (2023). Interrogating the links between dynasties and development in the Philippines. Asian Journal of Comparative Politics, 8(3), 765-786. https://doi.org/10.1177/20578911231182490
Miwa, H., Kasuya, Y., & Ono, Y. (2023). Voters’ perceptions and evaluations of dynastic politics in Japan. Asian Journal of Comparative Politics, 8(3), 671-688. https://doi.org/10.1177/20578911221144101
Napolitano, M. A. (2019). Susanna Agnelli: Between family business and politics. In P. Paoloni & R. Lombardi (Eds.), Advances in gender and cultural research in business and economics: 4th IPAZIA Workshop on Gender Issues 2018, Rome, Italy (pp. 301–312). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-00335-7_20
Pedroletti, B. (2024). In Southeast Asia, politics is a family affair. Le Monde. https://tinyurl.com/3xw7zejz
Pernia, R. A. (2022). Authoritarian values and institutional trust: Theoretical considerations and evidence from the Philippines. Asian Journal of Comparative Politics, 7(2), 204-232. https://doi.org/10.1177/2057891121992118
Puansah, I., Sukmana, O., & Soedarwo, V. S. D. (2024). Political dynasties in village government and their impact on society and development. International Journal Reglement & Society, 5(2), 119–136. https://doi.org/10.55357/ijrs.v5i2.529
Scott, J. (2000). Rational choice theory. In G. Browning, A. Halcli, & F. Webster (Eds.), Understanding contemporary society: Theories of the present (pp. 126–138). Sage Publications. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781446218310.n9
Tabanao, E. G. V. (2025). Political cynicism and political participation of voters in Negros Oriental, Philippines. Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 3(2), 89–98. https://doi.org/10.69569/jip.2024.0625
Teehankee, J. C., & Calimbahin, C. A. A. (Eds.). (2022). Patronage democracy in the Philippines: Clans, clients, and competition in local elections. Bughaw. https://tinyurl.com/y3aryy7p Teehankee, J. C., Chambers, P., & Echle, C. (2023). Introduction: political dynasties in Asia. Asian Journal of Comparative Politics, 8(3), 661-670.
https://doi.org/10.1177/20578911231185786
Yerushalmy, J. (2024). A family affair: can Asia break free from the power of its political dynasties? The Guardian. https://tinyurl.com/aherhtcn
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
