The 1986 people power revolution that ousted Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos and installed the gentle democrat Corazon Aquino is a story of archetypal appeal which has attracted international media attention. David Wurfel deepens our understanding of the development of democracy in the Philippines offering the most comprehensive account of Filipino politics from 1945 to the present available in any language. Filipino Politics provides both a detailed history of the cycles of strengthening and decay of Filipino institutions and up-to date analysis of conditions that continue to threaten the creation of a stable popular government.