Philippine Technocracy and the Politics of Economic Decision-Making: A Comparison of the Martial Law and Post-Martial Law Periods

Abstract

IntroductionDespite their being banished to Hall of Shame during 1986 People Power Revolution in Philippines, technocracy has continued to persist in country's transition from authoritarian rule to and up to present. Instead, however, of being called they are now referred to as managers. The change in name is quite understandable because during martial law period (1972- 86), technocracy became synonymous with repression which occurred during that era foremost of which was economic development at all costs, e.g., dislocation, militariza- tion, and elimination of communities which got in way of development projects. This reputation, therefore, earned technocrats (dis)honor of being referred to as third leg of stool which propped up authoritarian regime, other two of which were military and Marcos' relatives/cronies. Thus, administrations which fol- lowed that of Marcos government were conscious not to hire any of these techno- crats, particularly, those who came from World Bank (hereinafter referred to as WB) and International Monetary Fund (hereinafter referred to as IMF). But post- martial technocrats, however, continued their predecessors' policies of liberalization, free competition, and free trade but now under a neoliberal economic dispensation. The question which emerges is why this is case when technocracy in Philippines is not able to sustain economic growth which was seen in 1950s when country was second to Japan as having best economy in Asia and then left-behind in 1970s by its East Asian counterparts as among newly industrializing countries in region. In 1980s, on other hand, Philippine economic policies failed to bring it at par with its Southeast Asian neighbors, i.e., Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, which all became New Asian Tigers. The latest blow to country is that socialist Vietnam, a late comer to capitalist world, has economically overtaken Philippines.This article, therefore, explores factors which have strengthened as well as weakened Philippine technocracy during martial law and post-martial law periods. It shows that in general political leverage of technocrats came from support they have received from leadership who shares their economic vision and coun- try's major international lending creditors, IMF and WB. The weakening of their political clout, on other hand, is brought about by inability of leadership to address political and economic crisis. The first section of this article will discuss rise of Philippine technocracy during pre-martial law period (1960s-72) and eco- nomic debates which ensued during that period concerning trajectory of Philippine development. This establishes very foundation of strength of Philippine tech- nocracy. The second section, on other hand, examines crucial role they played during martial law period, particularly economic perspectives they espoused and challenges these confronted. And lastly, third section will discuss where Philip- pine technocracy is headed in a period of elite democracy as it confronts challenges to its neoliberal development paradigm and massive corruption.Defining Technocracy and Their Development Vision1)Technocracy is a rule by experts, a temporary form of rule that sometimes emerges after a period of poor governance. The term implies rule by specialists with expertise in non-political subjects, often economics and engineering.2) These engineers com- prised a critical new stratum in industrial production process.3) They are also referred to as the scientists, including physicists, mathematicians, chemists, engi- neers, computer program and others who work in varying degrees of applied or pure research (Glassman et al. 1993, 84). …