Does Dynastic Prohibition Improve Democracy?

RSN-PCC WORKING PAPER 15-010

74 Pages Posted: 7 Aug 2015

See all articles by Jan Fredrick Cruz

Jan Fredrick Cruz

Joint Ateneo Institute for Mindanao Economics; Ateneo de Manila University - Department of Economics

Ronald U. Mendoza

Ateneo De Manila University - Ateneo School of Government

Date Written: August 6, 2015

Abstract

In aid of legislation on a possible anti-dynasty law in the Philippines, this paper probes the different aspects of dynastic prohibition, drawing in part from international experiences on similarly-minded laws and policies in other democracies. As a first step, it reviews the related literature, particularly on nepotism and political dynasties which are similar in some aspects but quite distinct concepts. It also discusses the arguments surrounding the dynastic prohibition in the Philippine Constitution, drawing on historical accounts of the 1986 Constitutional Commission's work. In order to help operationalize this, the paper then provides an overview of various definitions of "political dynasty" based on legislative bills and constitutions of other countries. Finally it undertakes an empirical analysis of whether these laws appear to be associated with further democratization of these countries that introduced these dynastic restrictions.

Keywords: Democracy, political dynasties, suffrage, economic development

JEL Classification: D70, J45, N41, N42

Suggested Citation

Cruz, Jan Fredrick and Mendoza, Ronald U., Does Dynastic Prohibition Improve Democracy? (August 6, 2015). RSN-PCC WORKING PAPER 15-010, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2640571 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2640571

Jan Fredrick Cruz

Joint Ateneo Institute for Mindanao Economics ( email )

E. Jacinto St.,
Roxas St.,
Davao City, Davao 8016
Philippines

Ateneo de Manila University - Department of Economics ( email )

Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights
Quezon City, 1108
Philippines

Ronald U. Mendoza (Contact Author)

Ateneo De Manila University - Ateneo School of Government ( email )

Katipunan Road
Loyola Heights
Quezon City, 1108
Philippines

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