194 Chasing the Wind: Assessing Philippine Democracy, Second Edition the ruling coalition guarantees access to national resources, major national projects such as infrastructures, pork barrel funds, and other privileges. Those who remain in the minority opposition and do not lean toward the central government's so-called priority legislations and programs end up with crumbs if not virtually nothing, leaving their own local domains with limited access to national resources. Patronage politics ties the local political clans with the dynasties of national-level politicians. As the CenPEG study explains, political clans centralize the structures of economic and political power and are “an enduring feature of the country's social structure and political system” whose impact is to weaken state-building and obstruct democratization. Choked in the neck by powerful political clans “with narrow and exclusivist interests” state formation and democratization is deterred especially in the absence of viable political institutions like real political parties and an election that ensures fair competition and credible results. Political dynasties comprise the small political elite whose rule is legitimized by using a awed electoral system which, in turn, bestows on them the political power to control the government and gain access to its resources, institutions, and transactions that increase and perpetuate their rule. Formed by the wealthiest families, the elite is linked to the social class in the country's semi-feudal society that provides them the material base of their political power, hence, as a means of class domination of the country's mass of electorate. This small and selected political group of people – “bureaucratic oligarchy” - governs the “mass of society” through the expert manipulation of political propaganda.11 The country's political elite originally came from the traditional landlord class. But another perspective observes that access and the capture of state resources and commercial capital that elective – and, appointive – positions accord enable many entrenched politicians to amass more wealth and power. That is why elections have become a mechanism for members of the political elite to acquire wealth and power. Many pre- and post-Marcos political clans can be clustered in this category. Many entrenched politicians and “landed elites” accumulated wealth after - rather than before – assuming elected ofce. In fact, some of the longest political clans are found in rural bailiwicks known for an absence of large landholdings or in urban areas.12 Control of an elective ofce is a form of high-value reward. It provides access to a range of state resources and prerogatives such as public land, mining, logging, and other resources; law enforcement; and authority over biddings and awards for multi-million construction contracts, monopoly franchises, shopping malls and so-called economic zones. In provinces, the political kingpins include shing magnates and bus company operators who reign over the local economies. In Metro Manila and other urban centers, even