Think tank pushes strategic thinking beyond politics

MANILA, Philippines - For generations, many Filipinos’ aspirations for prosperity have been routinely frustrated by the politicization of policy-making, bad governance and corrupt politics, according to an independent think tank. 

Dindo Manhit, president of Stratbase ADR Institute (ADRi), an independent strategic and international research organization, disclosed that   amid this great power shifts, other trends—rising global inequality, unstoppable urbanization, regional territorial conflicts and potentially disruptive technological game-changers – are complicating the political scene.

During the book launching: “Thinking Beyond Politics” in Makati City, Manhit said the country is on the verge of a transformation where disruptive innovations will positively change electoral politics, governments, political participation and the policy process.

Presently, he said, the obliteration of barriers is transforming local, national and geopolitics; the competition for votes; the policy process; and even created rivalries among non-governmental organizations, intellectual institutions, ideologies, and schools of philosophical thought and science.

As a result, small, unknown, and once-negligible political actors, have found ways to undermine, fence in, or thwart nation-states, great powers, large bureaucratic organizations, and even multinationals that once controlled national and global power, he pointed out.

 “This means fringe political parties, innovative start-ups, organized activists, upstart civil society organizations, citizen media, and leaderless young people, among others, can now partake in the national, regional and global conversation and the struggle for power,” said Manhit.

According to Manhit, ADRi is hoping to deliver a meaningful response and contribute to the developmental debate. “We want to influence domestic and East Asian policy in the context of national development and regional security.”

He said that their policy papers and recommendations will serve as a comprehensive guide for governments of many political cycles and a roadmap for the country’s future leaders on how to navigate key political and economic issues that will shape the development of the Filipino nation.

“The combination of technological, market and geopolitical events had leveled the global economic field and enabled more people to take part in democracy while rising to the middle class,” he pointed out.

Through this initiative, the ADRi also aims to disrupt the Philippine policy process and shape the future of the Filipino nation.

The country needs disruptive leadership and an innovative government that will put strategic and equalizing reforms in place. “A government ready to harness the best talents of the land, a government with a great vision, an integrated long term strategy, and the iron will to work, under the rule of law”, said Manhit.