The growing inequality in the distribution of resources in different parts of the world has
been a major concern. The reason why many countries in the African continent have stagnated when compared to China or even India has, in fact, demonstrated that the gap in living standards continues to widen. Economic analysis has helped us understand the big themes of the twenty-first century: poverty, inequality, globalisation, trade and as well as the failures in the economies of different countries that prevail. We have all been puppets living under political, social and economic hardships. How far have the fifty years of independence remained a dream for many of us? Probably I see the picture of “as one nation”, but we are at the same time divided by ideologies.
Our country has made just a small step compared to advanced countries. The failure to grow as rapidly as the First World is the result of a mix of factors: political, geographical and even historical. Let us not forget that politicians make the system for their own benefits and the most important point is that the interests of people are not the same. We must all agree that unless a miracle takes place, rarely things will change. The Miracle Economy of Mauritius is an example of hard work, a driving mission and engagement leading to independence by not just our fathers, grandfathers but equally our forefathers. I am very much sure that our great-grandparents have somehow been exploited products of that system but at that time, who have not been able to say that it was not right and fair.
The misrule by our successive rulers have only impoverished and denied opportunities to the majority of our population, with only a small group of our population being able to rule over land resources and political offices. Let’s keep aside those elites! The question asked is: How far is the willingness of people playing an important factor so that a policy decision is properly implemented? Till now, I don’t see how the matter can be resolved by our elected representatives. While this remains very true, it is scary how power is monopolised by a small minority which makes them become active while the whole population remains dormant.
An individual must be able to ask questions, for example, when it comes to our political culture: what has prevailed throughout centuries or years? Do people vote in terms of race, ethnicity, culture? That’s how it is and let’s just be really honest about it. Unfortunately voices of the past have not been erased and the amalgamation has made little sense…that’s what we call the domination of the political space. Moreover, when it comes to our public sector, the mechanism has remained static despite the ever-changing context over years. How many of us are resistant to change and just follow the trend instead of fighting the system? How many of us prefer just to be a government servant at the end? Thereby resulting in a kind of set routine where we are equally affected and are unable to deliver when it comes to performance at work.
A politician’s overriding personal objective is to win elections. One cannot be a successful politician or, indeed, perhaps not be a politician at all, without electoral success. Bad or inadequate governance is said to be when the authority of government is exercised or practised in ways that it benefits the people in government, their family and friends from which the concept of nepotism arises rather than it benefits the taxpayers. The political riddle that surrounds our island has always been the same which ultimately makes our population, the “Ras Kouyon”.
Eventually, a citizen must be capable of analysing various situations and this will depend of how that individual will use his or her capability of knowledge in the decision making process. Voters elect candidates who have the strength to bring about change but what have we seen? Aren’t many of them corrupted? Who is that idealist to reform it? Haven’t we seen friends who were ditched? The population may speak against them, but the vast majority cannot make a strong stand. I don’t know how people will be together to fight against the system, as there are so many “Roder Bout”.
The pathological liars of today’s politics are still well present and there has never been a successive government simply because national debts are prevalent. Regarding this matter, can politicians be behind bars? Then why do we still vote for liars or corrupted leaders? Although people may vote out of civic duty, they may also vote expressively to confirm their identity through support for a specific candidate’s policies. Added to this, rarely people will vote to protest against the policies of candidates and politicians. As long as voters cast their votes for candidates who make them feel better, candidates will continue to lie and will win. Sadly, at least very few can understand the situation of our country. Hoping that the tirades will end soon… What next?