Jan Robert Go


Jan Robert R. Go is a Filipino political scientist and associate professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman Department of Political Science, where he currently serves as Graduate Program Coordinator. He specializes in Philippine local politics, decentralization, and Chinese political theory.

Early life and education

Go completed his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at the University of the Philippines Manila. He earned his Master of Arts in Political Science from University of the Philippines Diliman, with a thesis titled "Decentralisation of Education at the Municipal Level: A New Institutionalist Study on the Local Chief Executive and Citizens Dynamics in the Municipality of Nasugbu, Batangas."
He obtained his Doctor of Philosophy in Political Theory from Central China Normal University in Wuhan, China, with a dissertation examining the politics of participation in urban communities in the Philippines and China during pandemic-related lockdowns.

Career

Academic positions

Go joined the University of the Philippines as full-time faculty in 2014. He served as:
He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in Philippine politics, political theory, and political methodology.

Research and expertise

Go's research focuses on:
He received the UP Centennial Professorial Chair in 2023 and the One UP Faculty Grant in Political Science for Outstanding Research and Public Service.

Media commentary

Go is frequently cited in Philippine media as an expert on:
  • Federalism debates: Argued it could empower regions but requires careful implementation
  • Philippine-China relations: Analyzed geopolitical implications of South China Sea disputes
  • Electoral politics: Critiqued money politics and campaign finance issues

    Political analyses

Federalism

Go has extensively analyzed Philippine federalism debates, arguing that while it could empower regions, implementation requires careful design:
  • "The main argument of federalism is to empower the lower levels of government... but we will be giving more resources to the local level, making it vulnerable to corruption."
  • Suggested federalism could accommodate regional identities: "Under a federal system, you can have the Bicolanos ruled by Bicolanos in a Bicolano way."

    Philippine-China relations

His comparative studies on Philippine and Chinese politics inform his geopolitical analyses:
  • Cautioned that foreign military support in the West Philippine Sea "may create greater anxiety on the part of the Chinese" while acknowledging its strategic value
  • Explained China's "whole-process people's democracy" as combining electoral and consultative mechanisms

    Electoral politics

Go's research on money politics and local governance shapes his election commentaries:
  • Warned that adjusting campaign spending limits "might increase the cost of elections" and disadvantage less-funded candidates
  • Analyzed how "elites and traditional politicians are winning the game" in Philippine elections

    Pandemic governance

Drawing from his Wuhan experience during COVID-19:
  • Documented community participation models in Philippine and Chinese lockdowns
  • Advocated for localized pandemic responses during his term as PPSA president

    Selected publications

  • "Decentralisation and Local Education Governance in the Philippines"
  • "Comparative Pandemic Responses: Community Participation in Philippine and Chinese Cities"
  • "Money Politics in Philippine Local Elections"