Local Power in the Philippines

Local Power in the PhilippinesBefore taking up the case of Naga City, this chapter will examine the theoretical framework for local power in the Philippines.Generally, there are two theoretical dimensions in the arguments on local politics.One is a distinction between structuralist and culturalist.The other is a distinction among the structuralists between state-centered and society-centered perspectives. 1 The culturalist and society-centered perspectives, which have been dominant in the field, will be reviewed first followed by a comparative review of the statecentered perspective.