36 Chasing the Wind: Assessing Philippine Democracy country developments obviously is facilitated by a sense of optimism that in turn enables analysts to be a lot more civil in writing up and reporting on their not too-welcome findings.) Ÿ In the current project on Philippine democratization, one may suspect that the universally iconic stature of democracy helps sway academics towards flawed, wishful readings of Philippine history and the record it offers on the question of democracy in this country. For Filipino social scientists already strongly enamored with democracy in particular, a great temptation exists to believe that the object of their love has already materialized in their own country. There is much truth in the folk saying that "Love blinds" or, at least, that it temporarily disorients. Even top-notch professionals, some high-grade political scientists no less, have actually convinced themselves that their Filipinas is vested not only with the trappings but, even now really, with the full regalia of Democracy. In considering the intellectually and equally emotionally difficult issue of whether there is – or there has been – democracy in the Philippines, one may remember the great social crusader, Dr. Martin Luther King, who spoke of having a dream. He was eminently successful in galvanizing people towards ultimately liberating, democratizing action, all because he and his dedicated followers did not entertain illusions about the nightmare that they first had to survive and then to decisively overcome. More and more Filipinos – academics included – are definitely beginning to think and act similarly. Because of this singular development, democracy, even as it may take some time nurturing, is a foregone conclusion for this country.