Peculiarities of a Republic

PECULIARITIES OF A REPUBLIC

by Antonio C. Antonio

January 19, 2015

In the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) Framework, there are three main actors in upland governance; therefore, (1) The Government; (2) The Private Sector; and, (3) Civil Society.  Among these three actors, we all agree that Government plays the most important role in upland governance… the “leading actor” so to speak.

Have you ever wondered why our country goes by the official name “Republic” of the Philippines?  For lack of a better explanation, a “republic” seems to be the most ideal system of governance which fits the needs of most countries… that is why most countries prefer to be called as such.  The central concept of a republic is anchored on the importance and presence of a system of checks and balance among the branches of government and the citizens of that republic.  In a republic, power emanates from the people themselves.  But like any other form of government, republics also have peculiarities, such as: 

ELECTION – Leaders in a republic are elected by the majority of eligible voters.

RULE OF LAW – Most republics have a functional constitution which is the fundamental law with other rules and regulations and laws being passed by a legislature.

SEPARATION OF POWER – Most republics have adopted the democratic system of government where there are three distinct branches of government (namely: (a) the executive; (b) the legislative; and, (3) the judiciary.  These co-equal and independent governmental bodies provide the basic checks and balance between and among them.

MINORITY IS SIGNIFICANT – Majority rule prevails in a republic although the minority in a population cannot be suppressed by the majority without due process and guided by law.

In the governance and management of the uplands, it is important to understand and have a working knowledge of governance systems where upland government styles are patterned.  The peculiarities of upland governance are, more often, an off-shoot of the same peculiarities of a republic.

Just my little thoughts…

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