Nebulous Populism and the Constellation of Agencies within the Philippine Catholic Church

Many scholars who have studied populism consider it a nebulous concept, given the variety of causes that explain its formation. Some view it as emerging from failed liberal democracies with worsening economic inequalities. Others have viewed political disenfranchisement as a leading factor, while a...

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Main Author: Edryan Paul J. Colmenares
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Journal of Moral Theology, Inc. 2025-01-01
Series:Journal of Moral Theology
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.55476/001c.127967
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author Edryan Paul J. Colmenares
author_facet Edryan Paul J. Colmenares
author_sort Edryan Paul J. Colmenares
collection DOAJ
description Many scholars who have studied populism consider it a nebulous concept, given the variety of causes that explain its formation. Some view it as emerging from failed liberal democracies with worsening economic inequalities. Others have viewed political disenfranchisement as a leading factor, while a handful relate it to socio-cultural and psychological yearnings for the kind of leader the populist leader embodies. This article explores how the emergence of Duterte’s brand of populism in the Philippines may be understood, considering its history of attempting to establish a liberal democracy. Given that the Philippines is a predominantly Catholic nation, the author also locates the Catholic Church, its hierarchy, and members as a conglomerate of various agents within the populist movement. Lastly, the author explores how populism in the Philippines challenges the church’s desire to be a church for and of the poor.
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publisher The Journal of Moral Theology, Inc.
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spelling doaj-art-3cd1f961d0de4725b07b17f012ef5cd12025-01-03T02:17:23ZengThe Journal of Moral Theology, Inc.Journal of Moral Theology2166-28512166-21182025-01-01141Nebulous Populism and the Constellation of Agencies within the Philippine Catholic ChurchEdryan Paul J. ColmenaresMany scholars who have studied populism consider it a nebulous concept, given the variety of causes that explain its formation. Some view it as emerging from failed liberal democracies with worsening economic inequalities. Others have viewed political disenfranchisement as a leading factor, while a handful relate it to socio-cultural and psychological yearnings for the kind of leader the populist leader embodies. This article explores how the emergence of Duterte’s brand of populism in the Philippines may be understood, considering its history of attempting to establish a liberal democracy. Given that the Philippines is a predominantly Catholic nation, the author also locates the Catholic Church, its hierarchy, and members as a conglomerate of various agents within the populist movement. Lastly, the author explores how populism in the Philippines challenges the church’s desire to be a church for and of the poor.https://doi.org/10.55476/001c.127967
spellingShingle Edryan Paul J. Colmenares
Nebulous Populism and the Constellation of Agencies within the Philippine Catholic Church
Journal of Moral Theology
title Nebulous Populism and the Constellation of Agencies within the Philippine Catholic Church
title_full Nebulous Populism and the Constellation of Agencies within the Philippine Catholic Church
title_fullStr Nebulous Populism and the Constellation of Agencies within the Philippine Catholic Church
title_full_unstemmed Nebulous Populism and the Constellation of Agencies within the Philippine Catholic Church
title_short Nebulous Populism and the Constellation of Agencies within the Philippine Catholic Church
title_sort nebulous populism and the constellation of agencies within the philippine catholic church
url https://doi.org/10.55476/001c.127967
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