(DP 2002-03) Welfare and Nationalism in the 1935 Philippine Constitution

Abstract

The framers of the 1935 constitution of the Philippines were conscious that they are introducing novelties in the form of nationality requirements and a strong executive. Previous discussions of nationality requirements in the constitution have taken these as self-evident expressions of nationalism. Explanations of the strong executive branch tend to trace it to a desire to emulate the colonial government, or simple pressure from an ambitious Quezon. Evidence from the deliberations shows however that in both cases the historical context and the ideologies of the strong state ascendant at that time, represented by socialism and fascism, played a role in the deliberations and ultimate outcomes.