Thomas Jefferson, the famous American political thinker, was anxious about the possibility that economic and political forces might one day come together in his country. So was James Madison, founding “father of the US Constitution.” Senator Sheldon Whitehouse feels that is where America is today: politicians have become closely linked with business magnates.
The general impression is that politicians shift loyalties as opportunities change. They stand by no set values, no accepted principles, and no consistent policy. The world as a whole is more and more moving into the hands of such ‘opportunists.’ Citizens in most countries are not aware that corporate heads plan and guide their election strategies. Politicians allow themselves to be used by the business elite. Consequently, after elections, they have to show their loyalty to the donors who brought them to power.
The fact, of course, is that governance failure plagues many democratic countries, even those with long democratic traditions. Representative assemblies have become so polarized, that it is near impossible to discuss a law intelligently before it is passed. It is not ideologies that give identities to parties, but vested interests. The quality of public debate has fallen. The calibre of leadership has sunk. Rabble-rousers, boasters, xenophobic hate-mongers win the day. Those who capture leadership today are amoral economic performers and partisan bullies who push their community’s interests ahead.
What are being discussed today are not ideas, but sectarian concerns. Polarization is not along political principles, but interest group lines: trade unions, drug companies, weapons lobbies, which can veto measures that hurt their interests. Populist anger is on the rise worldwide, whether it is in Bangladesh, Nepal, Indonesia, Morocco, or United Kingdom. Polarization descends to hate words by using rough language. Rising inequality makes people feel convinced that the elite groups are controlling affairs for their own interests, says Francis Fukuyama (an American political economist).
LEADERS WITH VALUES
This is the challenge before responsible people. Word-inspired citizens must cultivate a sense of universal responsibility in themselves and foster it among fellow citizens. By action or inaction, every individual contributes ill or well to the development and destiny of his nation and of the world. This sort of conviction itself is a manifestation of our faith.
Kim Clark, Harvard Business School dean, speaking of principles leadership says, “We need leaders whose behaviour matches and reinforces civilized values. And that is what I mean by integrity. Integrity is more than being honest. It is deeper. It is about the match between what the leader says and what the leader does… Such leaders inspire trust and confidence in those around them, and the values they espouse become reality in the organization they lead…”
Unfortunately, citizens have condoned the uncivil behaviour, partisan proclivity, and self-interest of their representatives in exchange for some equally partisan advantage to their own personal or sectarian interests. People make their leaders. They can correct them too. They have a duty to do so. Citizens have a duty to insist with the persons they have chosen to maintain a sense of dignity about what they say or do, and to demand from them a code of conduct, a style of behaviour, and expect from them a degree of commitment as long as they hold office.
It is one thing being conscientious about casting one’s vote and keeping the wrong type of people out of power and excluding unwanted ideologies and interests; it is a further step to make sure that only conscientious people are in positions of public responsibility and to follow them up diligently with an educative pressure.
CONSCIENCE OF THE OPPONENT
Mahatma Gandhi proved that Gospel values can be brought to the world of politics. He appealed to the conscience of the opponent in a courteous manner, while expressing non-acceptance of exploitative ways through Satyagraha–a nonviolent resistance. The Word must become incarnate in our days to transform and rejuvenate the world. It must address the problems of abuse of power, inter-community conflicts, distorted media, human trafficking, violence to environment, and the widespread corruption.
We read in the book of Judges that in difficult times, certain persons spontaneously came forward, took over leadership, and rescue people from disaster that could lead them to unexpected success. Can committed citizens come forward today and intervene in behalf of their people in the same way? Can Word come alive through them?
Human values of natural goodness, an eagerness to search for truth, an urge towards generosity, sincerity of purpose, and concern for others remain buried deep in every heart, even though in today’s self-centred world, it may have sunk deeper. They needed to be dug up and their resources to be fully tapped.
In the Gospels we find Jesus continuously inviting His listeners to a more perceptive reflection on realities around them, e.g. Mark 2:8. Let us listen to this inner voice. His Word must come alive in life contexts!
