TRINIDAD MUNICIPAL COLLEGE

Poblacion, Trinidad, Bohol

Report
Compilation
Submitted by:
SHARALYN J. RAMIREZ AB 1
Student
Philo 2 (MWF 4:00 5:00)

Submitted to:
MR. DARIUS A. TUMARAO
Instructor

Man and the State

Man is a political animal.
This is how Aristotle described mans interaction to his society or the State.
This he meant that the essence of social existence is politics and that two or more
men interacting with each other are invariably involved in political relationship. This
relationship is called rule, authority, or power. The government is the political
instrumentality of political unity.
My topic which focuses to the relationship of man and state evidently implies
politics. The first part discusses about the three main forms of government since the
Middle Ages:
a. The Divine Right of Kings
Caesar is the title bestowed to Roman emperors during the Middle Ages.
These titles come from the ancient doctrine that sovereigns are representatives of
God and derive their right to rule directly from God.
Absolute monarchy was accepted after the publication of the influential
writing of one of the famous political thinkers, Niccolo Machiavelli, who is known for
writing The Prince, a book which described cunning and occasionally unscrupulous
methods by which rulers could acquire power, and the premise that The end
justifies the means. This form of government became predominant from the 16 th
century to the end of the 18th century.
During the Lutheran exposition, absolute states became the sole agent of
God. Sir William Blackstone accentuated the following statement in adherence to
the doctrine: The king is not only incapable of doing wrong or of thinking wrong; he
can never mean to do an improper thing; in him no folly or weakness.
In this characterization of absolute monarchy as the application of the
doctrine of the Divine Rights of Kings, I understood that monarchs, whom were
believed to be descendants of God, had the full control and execution of power over
their territory and people. Decisions which they promulgate are indisputable.
After absolute monarchs and states were overthrown, governments were
established upon the three pillars of the modern democratic society, namely;
1. Bureaucracy
2. Parliamentary Legislation
3. Independent courts of justice
Absolute states, however, are still in existence nowadays. They originated in
the absolutistic philosophy of Hegel and then made real trough the totalitarian
system of Communism, Fascism and Nazism.
b. Totalitarian Dictatorship
1. The armed forces or a political minority takes over the administrative
power of the State.
2. It continues in power by the organized political party taking control of
the government. The leader of the party automatically becomes the
head of the government.
3. The controlling party abolishes all pre-existing parties and class
organizations not associated with the ruling party.
4. Control of education, religion, science, arts and other expression and
communication media.
5. Intensive and elaborate propaganda for the masses and foreign
countries.

6. Establishment of a reign of terror, despotism, tyranny with all

resistance to the party brutally crushed and liquidated.
7. Complete supervision and control of national economy for the purpose
of monopolizing all enterprises and nationalizing all industries.
8. Implementation of a vast military program for defense and attack in
line with plans for territorial expansion and for political ambitions.
This king of government which rules some countries of the world today is
utterly immoral, illegal, and inhuman. Although it may accomplish extraordinary
feats and develop the economic potentialities of a country to the ultimate benefit of
the people, the means employed are immoral and cruel. These involve the sacrifice
of innumerable human lives, and the suppression of mans natural freedoms and
rights.
c. The democratic system
It seems that the democratic system of government which provides equal
opportunities for every citizen, and practices universal suffrage, freedom under the
law, free competition, etc., can fulfil human aspirations for an ideal government a
government of the people, by the people, for the people; a government that exists
for the sake of its citizens and not the citizens for the sake of the state.
But the freedoms and privileges enjoyed in democratic countries are not
always accompanied by a corresponding discharge of obligations. Democracy is
good for a civic-minded and educated community. Without a moral social
conscience and a sense of responsibility in the citizenry, democratic governments
may offer unlimited opportunities for corruption and graft. Aristotle criticized
democracy because when a government is dominated by the lower classes,
the rich are taxed to provide funds for the poor. And the poor receive it
again and again want the same supply. It is all like pouring water into a
sieve.
Democratic states, however, have an advantage over those with other forms
of government. The citizens of a democracy are not only ruled; they also rule.
Everybody has the right to criticize the government and the party in power. Citizens
are free to express their dissatisfaction with the dishonesty and inefficiency of
public officials. They may turn the public opinion against these public officials and
sweep them out of power by peaceful and free elections, although the winners may
later follow the evil ways of the defeated.
The Best Form of Government
St. Thomas preferred a moderate monarchy to other forms of government.
While St. Thomas based his choice on Scriptures, Aristotle had based the
prominence of monarchy on the knowledge and virtue of the king. Another good
form of government for Aristotle was polity, composed of the middle class
between the upper class (oligarchy) and the proletarian (democracy). Polity offers
an opportunity to discern and reward superior talents.
Under the point of view of Ethics, the morality of a government is not based
on its external structure and political organizations but upon its functionality, in the
successful attainment of its end which is to promote the common welfare of the
people and to protect human right. In this sense, the best kind of government is the
one best suited to the present circumstances of people, their historical traditions,
economic conditions, geographical position, political experience, education, racial
characteristics, religion, etc.