Summary
Ferdinand Marcos argues that the New Society, a program of national transformation entering its fourth year, requires an "internal revolution" in citizens' hearts, minds, and souls—not just statistical growth in infrastructure or exports. He warns that dramatic gains in Manila and urban centers have intensified "natural appetites for finery and show," dissipating the ethic of work, sacrifice, and discipline central to the reform. Marcos insists that those with wealth or authority bear "more responsibility" and must be austere, avoiding special privilege, to prevent delivering society from old exploiters to new ones. He questions whether the government has kept its covenant by serving genuine hopes, matching sacrifices with dedication, and earning continued trust. The book takes away that lasting change depends on a "new vigorous climate of confidence and hope," not merely economic policies, and that private citizens must share the burdens of national transformation alongside government and the masses.
Key concepts
- Internal revolution — The fundamental change within individuals—in hearts, minds, and souls—that Marcos argues is essential for forging the New Society, beyond institutional or economic reforms.
- Hierarchical distribution of responsibility — The principle that those who hold more wealth or authority must bear more responsibility, with a special obligation on the rich to find purpose in using wealth.
- Ethic of work, sacrifice and discipline — The core meaning of the New Society, which Marcos claims is dissipated by counter-productive activities like lavish parties, flashy cars, and expensive travel.
- Counter-productive activities — Behaviors such as finery, show, and lavish spending that Marcos identifies as eroding public order, national discipline, and the will to change.
- Covenant — The implicit agreement Marcos references between the government and the people, requiring faithful service to genuine hopes, dedication matching sacrifices, and earned trust to continue demanding harder work.
From the book
Title: Notes on the New Society of the Philippines by Ferdinand Marcos← Ninth State of the Nation Address Tenth State of the Nation Address by Ferdinand Marcos Eleventh State of the Nation Address → related portals : State of the Nation Speeches by Philippine Presidents 10th President of the Philippines Delivered on September 19 , 1975 Quirino Grandstand , Manila 1396504 Tenth State of the Nation Address Ferdinand Marcos Itinakda natin ang araw na ito para sa pagdiriwang, sa halip na Linggo, hindi dahil ibig nating mapaaga ang ikatlong anibersaryo ng proklamasyon ng Bagong Lipunan sa ating bayan, kundi dahil ibig nating maiharap sa ating sambayanan ang mahahalagang suliraning hindi na dapat pang ipaghintay sa ika-21 ng buwang ito. Anibersaryo man o hindi ang araw na ito, oras na upang…
Popular questions readers ask
- Based solely on Marcos's three self-posed questions, what can a student infer about the foundational principles, implicit social contract, and anticipated sacrifices associated with his "New Society"?
- How does Marcos's act of publicly questioning his government's performance, particularly with the conditional statement "Unless we can confidently answer these questions, we should not presume to continue," function as a rhetorical strategy within an authoritarian context?
- What specific "covenant" between the government and the people does Marcos allude to in his questions, and how does his framing of this relationship shape the expected roles and responsibilities of each party under the "New Society"?
- Marcos links the government's right to demand continued "confidence, harder work, and possibly more sacrifice" to its past performance. From the perspective of the citizenry, what tangible evidence or criteria would be necessary to validate the government's claims of "dedication" and "genuine achievement"?
- If a student were to explain the purpose and potential limitations of Marcos's self-interrogation to a peer, how would they articulate the difference between a genuine critical assessment and a performative act, considering the historical context of 1975 Philippines?