Machiavelli, the brilliant political scientist he was, could be a good starting point for those aspiring to be a good leader (or bad depending on how one sees it). In his classic work The Prince , he listed the abilities(virtu) of a good leader would make him hold the state. However, he also talked about the role of fortune (fortuna). Neither the two are exclusive. As Machiavelli had pointed, those who have the abilities will be able to control fortune if its blowing in favor for them. And in times when the opposite happens, he would be able to minimize its damage when the tide turns against him. Fortunes too are time of opportunities for new leaders to rise. But only those who have virtu will spot this and take it to their advantage.
Now for those aiming to seize the opportunity to enter Philippine politics (whether through violent and peaceful means), it will be helpful to look at what the so called "danger months" in Philippine politics. Here are the months of turmoil and I hope good citizens will seize it for the good of the country (like what Ninoy did). I also hope that few scoundrel opportunists will use this times.
January-February: New Beginnings
This is the first danger periods for Philippine politics. I could guess its the fact that people had just celebrated Christmas and New Year. The euphoria had waned off and Filipinos suddenly comes back to reality. Who would they blame first? Not themselves nor their family. Its the government (or the state), an entity that gave them sufferings through inefficient delivery of basic social services, abusive police and other in competencies Its no surprise that the First Quarter Storm and the Two EDSAs happened on these months. However by March on wards, expect people to lighten up their mood as summer and the fiestas of May will come to give them something to cheer.
August-September: Can't Wait for Christmas
This is the more dangerous of the two periods. Its between two periods of celebration (summer and Christmas). This is also the middle of the year when typhoons will wreck the archipelago and bring lots of suffering of the people. Who would not remember Pedring, Ondoy, and the other typhoons. It is also a time of great political upheaval. The Hello Garci scandal, Martial Law and the Katipuna revolution escalated during this period. I said this is the more dangerous months because Filipinos have experienced two difficulties (the unrest in the first period and the typhoon months). For those opportunists, this is the better period. But there is a caveat. Don't extend it to Christmas as most Filipinos will be tired of politics by that time.
Photo Credit:
http://fqslibrary.wordpress.com
http://akosiemersonsy.wordpress.com
http://barriosiete.com
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