Powerlessness, Structural Evil, and A Theology of Power

Abstract

This research calls attention to the powerlessness of everyday people in the Philippines, by discovering what kind of power is in play, how the fallen powers can be named and made visible, and then ultimately the ways through which power should be restored. First, this paper traces back to Pre-Hispanic times and the Spanish colonial rule period in the Filipino history to investigate the foundation of contemporary power structures of the Philippines, Second, the distinctive traits of power structures in the modern Philippines are explored, with a focus on how structural evil has been situated in the system through the patron–client relation, elitism, and oligarchy, and how it causes and perpetuates the powerlessness of everyday people in the Philippines. Then, a theology of power and the church are presented as the ultimate ways through which power should be restored.