E-Com and Federalism

BONDOC, Maricor Cheska P.                                                                       September 30, 2016

E-Communication Activity No. 5

Duhaime's Law Dictionary defines federalism as a system of government which has created, by written agreement, a central and national government to which it has distributed specified legislative (law-making) powers, called the federal government, and regional or local governments (or sometimes called provinces or states) to which is distributed other, specified legislative powers.

Pia Ranada and Nico Villarete wrote on Rappler, that federalism is a form of government where sovereignty is constitutionally shared between a central governing authority and constituent political units called states or regions.

In basic terms, it will break the country into autonomous regions with a national government focused only on interests with nationwide bearing: foreign policy and defense, for example.

The autonomous regions or states, divided further into local government units, will have primary responsibility over developing their industries, public safety, education, healthcare, transportation, recreation, and culture. These states will have more power over their finances, development plans, and laws exclusive to their jurisdiction.

The central government and states can also share certain powers.

So, what will be the pros and cons of the Federalism system of government? Here are the pros and cons cited on Rappler discussed by Pia Ranada and Nico Villarte,

PROS

Locals decide for themselves. Regions have their own unique problems, situations, geographic, cultural, social and economic contexts. Federalism allows them to create solutions to their own problems instead of distant Metro Manila deciding for them.

With national government, and thus power, centered in Metro Manila, it's no surprise that development in the mega city has spiralled out of control while other parts of the country are neglected.

It would mean that the problems in our local government will be focused on because there will people assigned to each local.

As cited in Rappler, there will be more power over funds, resources. Right now, local government units can only collect real estate tax and business permit fees. In federalism, they can retain more of their income and are required to turn over only a portion to the state government they fall under.

This means that the local government has a set budget for its expenses for the term of the chosen officials.

Promotes specialization. The national and state governments can specialize in different policy domains. With most administrative powers now with the regional governments, the national government can focus on foreign policy, defense, and other nationwide concerns, like healthcare and taxation.

States have more autonomy to focus on economic development using their core competencies and industries. The state of Central Luzon can focus on becoming an agricultural hub. 

Economic development will be prioritized in this system because the core of industries and competencies would be focused on.

Brings government closer to the people. If detractors say federalism will only make local political dynasties more powerful, supporters give the argument that, in fact, it will make all local leaders, including those parts of political dynasties, more accountable to their constituents. State governments will no longer have any excuse for delays in services or projects that, in the present situation, are often blamed on choking bureaucracy in Manila.

It will not only help the officials assigned to their jobs, but it would challenge them to be accountable of their wrong doings because the people could just easily put attention on the local government. 

CONS 

Can Lead to Corruption

Federal system of government is very expensive as more people are elected to office, both at the state and the center, than necessary. Thus, it is often said that only rich countries can afford it. Too many elected representatives with overlapping roles may also lead to corruption. (Retrieved from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-federalism.html)

Our country is not a rich country like the 1st world countries. The Philippines probably could not afford to have the enough funds to have a Federal system of government. We could just line up the huge problems that we have rather than changing our system. 

Uneven Distribution of Wealth

It promotes regional inequalities. Natural resources, industries, employment opportunities differ from region to region. Hence, earnings and wealth are unevenly distributed. Rich states offer more opportunities and benefits to its citizens than poor states. Thus, the gap between rich and poor states widens. (Retrieved from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-federalism.html)

Of course, the rich regions will have all the advantages in terms of funding. Money will not be distributed equally, because they will prioritize the regions which contribute much to the government. 

Possibly divisive. Healthy competition among states can become alienating – creating rivalries and promoting the regionalism that some say already challenges the sense of unity in the country. It could enflame hostilities between ethnic groups in the country like Tagalogs, Cebuanos, Bicolanos, Ilocanos, Tausugs, and Zamboangueños. (Retrieved from http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/120166-federalism-pros-cons-explainer) 

Filipinos are known to be welcoming and sociable. Aliening means to make unfriendly, hostile, or indifferent especially where attachment formerly existed. If we have the Federal system, we will isolate ourselves from other regions because we tend to focus on our own. The most main thing is our own region and not the others. 

Uneven development among states. Some states may not be as ready for autonomy as others. Some states may not be as rich in natural resources or skilled labor as others. States with good leaders will progress faster while states with ineffective ones will degrade more than ever because national government will not be there to balance them out.

But in some federal countries, the national government doles out funds to help poorer states. A proposed Equalization Fund will use a portion of tax from rich states to be given to poorer states. (Retrieved from http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/120166-federalism-pros-cons-explainer

According to The Canadian Oxford Dictionary (Barber 1998: 384), development is defined as ‘a significant change in a course of action, events, on one hand and ‘Industrialisation or economic advancement of a country or an area.’ With that definition as a starting place, uneven development means inequality among the different regions in our country. Those who are developed will be easily highlighted because they benefit faster from them. On the other hand, the regions from the bottom would have a hard time progressing because they will not be the priority. 

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