"All political friendship is strategic and conditional." - British political adviser in the film
The film, Special Relationship, emphasizes the special friendship that blossomed between then U.S. President Bill Clinton and then U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair. It was an alliance between the two like-minded men who pursued and governed center-left political movement in which they called the "third way" and had thrown off the conservative governments. Through the special relationship that was created between these two political leaders, they were able to form a powerful alliance that would definitely shape the political landscape of their countries as well as the political decisions of world affairs. However, no friendship can surpass without experiencing challenges along the way. And even Clinton and Blair's relationship was not exempted from this. The different challenges that they encountered ultimately tested their friendship. It was through this test that their real motivations and personalities were revealed. It is often in this case that one would know if a certain individual can be truly considered a true friend or someone whom one can be trusted.
Based on the film, it can be assumed that Bill Clinton considered himself as a big brother to United Kingdom. The United States, which is considered to be the most powerful country in the world, thinks that it has the responsibility to govern the other countries as well. Hence, Bill Clinton acted as if he had to know more about how Tony Blair should govern his people. Clinton, as a big brother, wanted to be a role model to Tony Blair (in terms of political decision-making). He wanted Tony Blair to follow him as he leads the humanity into a more progressive state. And because Blair felt like it was such an honor to be side by side with the US, he followed it just like a younger brother who looks up and idolizes his big brother. However, with this kind of relationship, it may seem that the big brother always had the control over the younger brother. He wanted to make sure that the younger brother makes no mistake and that he would always be dependent on him. However, when the younger brother was the one who needed help, the big brother seemed to be hesitant. Big brother began to think of his own interests rather than offering help to his younger brother. Hence, when the younger brother decided to take his own action, big brother felt betrayed with the younger brother's decision to stand up on his own.
Hence, in the political arena, friendships that are created between two politicians can be both advantageous and disadvantageous. It could be genuine or deceitful. And it could also be seen only as strategic or conditional, as to what the British political adviser in the film said. More often than not, the politician who has the greater authority between the two will most likely want to get the best out of the friendship. It can serve one or each other's self-interests.
In the context of the Philippines, it is no longer surprising that special relationships between politicians are popular. More importantly, it is in our culture that we value our relationships between our families and friends and we practice the concept of "utang na loob". Hence, it is already common for us to see politicians who are elected because of certain connections or people who get away with anything solely because "their friends are friends with the relative of the (insert politician here).. In tagalog, (kaibigan nila yung kaibigan ng kamag-anak ni ________). And in our culture, it doesn't even matter if you're not relatives with those powerful people, as long as you have the connection with them (whether it may be your friend or your cousin's friend...and so on). More so, one way to value our relationship with other people is by doing favors. Hence, the concept of "utang na loob" is formed. For an instance, powerful elite helps an aspiring politician get elected to the office. As a sign of gratitude or "utang na loob", the elected politician then does a favor to the powerful elite who helped him get elected. (I don't even have to give an example because this concept of utang na loob in our relationships is always evident and we could not even deny doing it). With this kind of relationship, it ultimately affects how politicians could make important decisions and govern the people. Having these practices as part of our Philippine culture might give a more dangerous outcome in terms of the special relationships that arise among the politicians. They can manipulate them and could even shape how the game of politics is played.
In conclusion, I'm not saying that special relationships among politicians are either good or bad. What I might be trying to point out is that involving with this kind of relationship surely entails certain conditions that could either result to good or bad consequences. It is up to these politicians whether they would use this relationship as a way to serve their self-interests or they would use it to better serve and govern the rest of the people.
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