The Impact of Political Dynasty to Human Development Index (HDI) Across Provinces in the Philippines

Abstract

Political dynasties remain a defining feature of governance in the Philippines, with families monopolizing political power across provinces. This phenomenon, known as "fat dynasties," involves multiple family members holding positions simultaneously, potentially influencing governance quality and human development. With this characteristic, this study aims to examine the impact of fat dynasty share on the Human Development Index (HDI) across the 81 provinces of the Philippines. A descriptive quantitative research method was utilized, analyzing cross-sectional data from 2019. The study also considers the role of the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI), social service expenditures, and population size as factors contributing to human development. Quantile regression at the 50th percentile was applied to explore these relationships. The results reveal that fat dynasties exhibit no statistically significant effect on HDI, while CMCI and social service expenditures positively influence human development outcomes. These findings suggest that governance efficiency, infrastructure, and targeted social investments play a crucial role in enhancing HDI. Population size, however, shows a negligible impact, indicating that demographic factors alone do not determine human development. This study provides insights into the dynamics of governance and human development in a context dominated by political dynasties. It highlights the need for improved competitiveness and effective public spending to address development disparities, while advocating for further research on the indirect effects of political dynasties on governance and resource allocation.