Democracy in the Philippines

Abstract

The erosion and breakdown of democracy is not a new concept.  It has happened many times before and continues to occur today.  The Philippines has an interesting history with democracy, after being under the colonial power of both the Spanish and the US, they continue to have an unstable relationship with democracy.  Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s the Philippines saw their country go from being considered a free state to having a complete breakdown of democracy.  Following the process of democratic erosion and breakdowns, outlined by Nancy Bermeo and Ozan Varol, Arroyo can be seen chipping away at the foundation of the Philippines democracy.