Rodrigo Duterte’s rise and the Marcoses’ return to power have captivated Southeast Asia watchers and the rest of the world. That the spectacle of strongman rule has allured most Filipinos is no longer in doubt, with the strong electoral mandate garnered by Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2022. Whether their capture of state power is in any way connected and what this portends about the country’s democratic future is a key theme marking Games, Changes, and Fears. In this volume, Filipino academics and practitioners provide much needed analysis about this political succession and what it means for Asia’s oldest republic. Packed with thirteen chapters depicting insightful trends and prognosis on the Philippine economy, domestic politics, foreign policy, and society, this volume offers scholars, students, and policymakers with the analytical repertoire to understand developments in the Philippines. Overall, the chapters suggest that while some policies and practices continue under the Marcos Jr. administration, there have been pivotal changes indicating a break from the past. The chapters offer key policy recommendations critical in recalibrating Philippine political, economic, and social conditions that could address democratic backsliding, economic challenges, and societal polarization. "This carefully curated volume offers a judicious assessment of the political legacy of Rodrigo Duterte in key policy areas and the continuities and changes marking the transition to the Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. administration. Games, Changes, and Fears lays out a number of important insights—the formation of dynastic cartels, erosion of democratic values and civil liberties, securitization of governance, politicization of the information ecosystem, emergence of new political actors, and politics of fear, violence, and misogyny—that deepen our understanding of Philippine politics and society while providing portents of, and object lessons in, the struggle for substantive democracy in neighbouring Southeast Asian countries and the world." -- Caroline S. Hau, Professor, Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University "In the wake of Rodrigo Duterte’s populist rule, the Philippines stands at a critical juncture, grappling with the aftermath of profound political and policy changes. As the nation enters a new era under Marcos Jr.’s presidency, questions loom large over the future of democracy and governance. This edited volume offers a multifaceted analysis of Duterte’s legacy, providing essential insights into the trajectory of Philippine politics and society." -- Yuko Kasuya, Professor, Faculty of Law, Keio University "This is a superb survey of Philippine politics during the Rodrigo Duterte administration and the early years of the Bongbong Marcos presidency. Written by Filipino scholars based in Philippine universities and research institutions, this unique compilation of essays provides a keen and grounded analysis of political developments in the country. In doing so, this volume showcases the strength and value of Filipino scholarship on Philippine politics. It is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the impact and legacy of the Duterte years." -- Erik Martinez Kuhonta, Associate Professor, McGill University

Rodrigo Duterte's rise and the Marcoses' return to power have captivated Southeast Asia watchers and the rest of the world. That the spectacle of strongman rule has allured most Filipinos is no longer in doubt, with the strong electoral mandate garnered by Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2022. Whether their capture of state power is in any way connected and what this portends about the country's democratic future is a key theme marking Games, Changes, and Fears. In this volume, Filipino academics and practitioners provide much needed analysis about this political succession and what it means for Asia's oldest republic. Packed with thirteen chapters depicting insightful trends and prognosis on the Philippine economy, domestic politics, foreign policy, and society, this volume offers scholars, students, and policymakers with the analytical repertoire to understand developments in the Philippines. Overall, the chapters suggest that while some policies and practices continue under the Marcos Jr. administration, there have been pivotal changes indicating a break from the past. The chapters offer key policy recommendations critical in recalibrating Philippine political, economic, and social conditions that could address democratic backsliding, economic challenges, and societal polarization. "This carefully curated volume offers a judicious assessment of the political legacy of Rodrigo Duterte in key policy areas and the continuities and changes marking the transition to the Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. administration. Games, Changes, and Fears lays out a number of important insights-the formation of dynastic cartels, erosion of democratic values and civil liberties, securitization of governance, politicization of the information ecosystem, emergence of new political actors, and politics of fear, violence, and misogyny-that deepen our understanding of Philippine politics and society while providing portents of, and object lessons in, the struggle for substantive democracy in neighbouring Southeast Asian countries and the world." -- Caroline S. Hau, Professor, Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University "In the wake of Rodrigo Duterte's populist rule, the Philippines stands at a critical juncture, grappling with the aftermath of profound political and policy changes. As the nation enters a new era under Marcos Jr.'s presidency, questions loom large over the future of democracy and governance. This edited volume offers a multifaceted analysis of Duterte's legacy, providing essential insights into the trajectory of Philippine politics and society." -- Yuko Kasuya, Professor, Faculty of Law, Keio University "This is a superb survey of Philippine politics during the Rodrigo Duterte administration and the early years of the Bongbong Marcos presidency. Written by Filipino scholars based in Philippine universities and research institutions, this unique compilation of essays provides a keen and grounded analysis of political developments in the country. In doing so, this volume showcases the strength and value of Filipino scholarship on Philippine politics. It is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the impact and legacy of the Duterte years." -- Erik Martinez Kuhonta, Associate Professor, McGill University

The Duterte administration is often considered a rupture in Philippines’ politics. Yet, how different is Duterte’s programme of change from the past governments, particularly from its predecessor, the Aquino II administration? Is there a shift in regime orientation and policy preferences from Aquino II to Duterte? What will this mean to the future direction of Philippine democracy, its economic development, peace and security, and relations with other countries? This volume focuses on four critical areas—politics and governance; economic governance; Mindanao peace process; and international relations—to illustrate continuities or discontinuities in policies and governance of institutions to explain the dynamics of change in the Philippines. It pays particular attention to the crucial period between Aquino II and the early years of Duterte. The reason is that Aquino II represents an important period for rebuilding and consolidating institutions of governance and accountability after two previous tumultuous administrations. Yet Aquino II also demonstrates the inherent flaws of Philippine democracy and unravels the contradictory forces vying for state power that sets the scene for Duterte’s rise. Reflecting on the crucial transition period between the two presidencies, while also providing a much-needed update on the most noteworthy policy changes since Duterte’s inauguration, the book fills an important scholarly gap in understanding Asia’s oldest and most puzzling democracy.

This book examines the elements of continuity and change in Philippine politics and government over the last quarter century. This period, from the early 1960s through 1988, encompasses three distinct phases: the decline of a traditional” elite democracy, the imposition of martial law and constitutional authoritarianism under Ferdinand Marcos, and the restoration of democracy under Corazon Aquino. By examining the elements of continuity and change during this period, this study attempts to provide a context for understanding current and future political developments in the Philippines.

This book reflects on the role of social media in the past two decades in Southeast Asia. It traces the emergence of social media discourse in Southeast Asia, and its potential as a “liberation technology” in both democratizing and authoritarian states. It explains the growing decline in internet freedom and increasingly repressive and manipulative use of social media tools by governments, and argues that social media is now an essential platform for control. The contributors detail the increasing role of “disinformation” and “fake news” production in Southeast Asia, and how national governments are creating laws which attempt to address this trend, but which often exacerbate the situation of state control. From Grassroots Activism to Disinformation explores three main questions: How did social media begin as a vibrant space for grassroots activism to becoming a tool for disinformation? Who were the main actors in this transition: governments, citizens or the platforms themselves? Can reformists “reclaim” the digital public sphere? And if so, how?

Analyses the telecom reform process in Malaysia and the Philippines. Looks at the institutions and actors that were the driving force behind these changes, and examines state capacity, market reform, and rent-seeking in the two countries.