Explore Jennifer C. Franco’s research on the fractious nature of Philippine civil society and the ongoing tug of war following the 1986 People Power Revolution.

A vibrant civil society isn’t always a pro-democratic one; it can actually undermine democratic consolidation depending on the trade-offs made when forging alliances with political elites and the military.
c h a p t e r t h r e e The Philippines Fractious Civil Society and Competing Visions of Democracy j e n n i f e r c . f r a n c o Please make a deep research podcast on chapter 03 from the book civil society and political change in Asia edited by Muthiah Alagappa , 2004








Jennifer C. Franco’s research highlights that Philippine civil society is deeply fractious rather than a united front. While many view the 1986 People Power Revolution as a finished victory, Franco demonstrates that it actually initiated a massive tug of war between competing groups. These organizations often have vastly different end goals, with some choosing to work within the existing political system while others aim to dismantle it entirely to achieve their vision of democracy.
The 1986 People Power Revolution is described as a tug of war because it did not result in a singular, unified democratic path. Instead, it sparked a period of intense competition between various factions of Philippine civil society. These groups represent a wide spectrum of activism, often fighting one another as much as they fight the state. This internal conflict explains why a country can possess a vibrant activist scene while still facing significant challenges with deep-seated inequality.
In the context of Philippine activism, fractiousness refers to the deep, jagged splits between dozens of groups within civil society. Rather than acting as a synchronized choir for democracy, these groups are divided by their methods and ultimate objectives. This complexity is a core part of Philippine political history, showing that 'pro-democracy' movements are often composed of competing visions that struggle to find common ground in the post-1986 era.
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