Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, political change - especially the breakdown of parliamentary democracies - in the developing countries which had just won their independence was interpreted in terms of modernization, dependency, and neo-Marxist theories. These approaches, however, proved to be unsatisfactory.

This book offers a fresh interpretation of political change by examining the role of the State as a catalyst of socioeconomic and political transformation. In particular, it traces the process leading to the development of an interventionist State in the Philippines and its contribution to the breakdown of democracy and the declaration of martial law in 1972.

Beginning with a historical analysis of the origins of the Philippine dependency relationship with the United States, the book goes on to argue that the Philippine State acquired some degree of autonomy in formulating national policies. It reveals that while the Philippine political system is based on free wheeling capitalism led by private enterprise, State intervention in the economy has been more extensive than the economic ideology suggests.

The book also describes the interaction of social forces created by economic transformation and the clash of interests, as well as the implications of class conflict for the democratic system. Finally, it discusses the notion of strong executive leadership and weak states, and provides insights into the problems of restored democracies that are struggling to survive economic crises and military revolts