Includes bibliographical references and index.

The Rules of Pre-martial law Philippin politics -- The Collapse of Philippine democracy -- Sultanistic rule and the demobilization of the opposition -- The Form, not the substance, of democracy -- Urban terrorism after a stolen election -- Boycott and a united front -- The Parliament of the streets and legislative polls -- The Snap elections and the fall of Marcos -- Democratic transition and consolidation

"With this book I hope to contribute to the comparative study of democratization through a case study of the Philippines. However paradoxical it may appear, most democratic transitions from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s were initiated by authoritarian regime."