Not Another Politics Podcast How Do Political Outsiders Build Loyalty With New Administrations?
14 snips
Feb 27, 2025 Renard Sexton, a political scientist specializing in Philippine politics, dives into the complex world of political outsiders and their impact on governance. He discusses how mayors navigate loyalty amid Duterte's controversial drug war policies. The conversation examines whether extremist actions can serve to secure loyalty, the balance of local power dynamics, and the potential parallels with other populist leaders like Trump. Sexton reveals how personal interests and electoral incentives shape political strategies in an ever-evolving landscape.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Duterte's Rise
- Rodrigo Duterte, an outsider candidate, won the Philippine presidency in 2016 on a hardline anti-drug platform.
- He needed support from local mayors, who control the police, to implement his agenda.
Outsider Incentives
- Mayors outside traditional patronage networks had more to gain by aligning with Duterte.
- They had more incentive to enforce his policies, even with the associated risks.
Davao City Model
- Duterte used a Davao City's drug war tactics, which involved special units and disregard for due process, as a political strategy.
- Despite the brutality, this approach gained public support due to the perceived severity of the drug problem.