DO BETTER
Alas, too many are so intent on profitable in any respect prices, they lose sight of what it’s all about.
What’s required is a elementary change in how politics is outlined, beginning with three redefinitions.
First, it isn’t a zero-sum competitors the place I win provided that you lose, and the more severe your loss, the higher my win.
When politics is seen as such a contest between opposing sides, it may possibly solely result in larger division and disharmony, not simply between opponents however amongst their supporters.
If the last word function is to enhance lives and promote concord, politics should be seen as a collaborative effort involving as many individuals as doable within the society working in the direction of a typical purpose.
Viewing it as a contest between opposing sides is the worst doable strategy to obtain the frequent good.
This might sound troublesome to do due to the character of the primary past-the-post, winner-takes-all characteristic in most democracies however it’s exactly as a result of such a system promotes excessive behaviour by politicians that it must be moderated.
In any other case, there will likely be no restrict to what they may do because the stakes are so excessive.
(Additionally it is why some nations undertake a proportional illustration system, however that’s one other story.)
Second, it ought to by no means be seen as a do-or-die mission the place the destiny of the nation hangs within the stability and the alternate options imply the top of the world.
It’s nearly by no means such a dire selection besides maybe in failed states preventing for survival.
However political leaders at all times over dramatise their aspirations and their indispensability.
Even in a steady democracy reminiscent of France, when President Emmanuel Macron referred to as snap elections final 12 months, he argued that the nation confronted an existentialist disaster after his celebration misplaced badly to proper wing events within the European Union elections and that, if he didn’t act, it will descend into “chaos”.
Within the occasion, his gamble failed however I doubt if France is any worse or higher off than earlier than.
The presidential election within the US was additionally stuffed with such hyperbole, together with that it was about the way forward for democracy and the destiny of the world.
The difficulty with elevating the stakes to unrealistic heights is that it encourages an “something goes” strategy. If the way forward for mankind is at stake, how are you going to not go to the top of the world to attain your goals, authorized or not, morally appropriate or in any other case?
It may solely result in political corruption and excesses.
It additionally ignores all the opposite vital gamers in society, together with the non-public sector, non-government organisations and private and non-private establishments that contribute to the well-being of the nation.
This goes again to the primary level – when politics is seen as a collaborative effort and never a damaging competitors, there will likely be larger recognition of different actors and their roles in attaining the purpose of bettering lives.
Politics is vital – and political leaders particularly – however you possibly can’t justify their significance by letting them outline all the pieces in their very own phrases. There are others who’re additionally crucial and although they might not be overtly political, they assist fulfil politics’ final function.
Third, the notion that politics is all about energy and what to do with it wants to alter.
Energy is, in fact, an integral a part of politics and when used to profit society can do monumental good.
However how to make sure it does? There isn’t a manner of doing so and it’s usually the results of luck (the appropriate chief on the proper time) than anything.
When energy falls within the improper fingers, it results in catastrophic penalties, as has occurred too usually in human historical past, leading to wars and violent civil conflicts.
