A degree course for politician wannabes – Lesson 5

This course will deal with a fundamental assumption of what makes a good politician. The first assumption is of course by blood. It is in the DNA. If the papa or mama is politician, then the sons or daughters must be good politicians. Like kingdom rules and kingdom comes. The princes and princesses would become kings or queens, never mind if they are duds due to inbreeding. It is no surprising that many sons and daughters are now in politics and carefully handpicked because of their pedigrees. The fallacy of this assumption is best seen in history books. All the history books recorded that dynasties and monarchies that were succeeded by the children all failed. Those that survived were nominal or for ceremonial purposes when they need not have to prove that they are duds. All they need to do is to talk about saving the environment or saving animals. When they have to prove their worth, it always failed. The other great assumption here is that politicians are damn good in identifying political leaders and can make political leaders. All they need to do is to have a tea session to decide who can be a politician who cannot. Of course they need to prove themselves first in their fields of expertise or are scholars to start with. If they are pedigrees or have blue blood, the tea session is only a formality. The results speak for itself. No further elaborations needed. Another assumption that is related to this tea session is how to qualify to be invited for tea? This assumption is that when one is good in his field or profession, can earn a lot of money, then that one is good to be a political leaders. If one cannot do well in his field, cannot earn a lot of money, academically unsound, not mentality unsound, one is not good. This assumption says a successful professional, be it doctor, lawyer, soldier, academics or govt scholars, or married to one of them, will be a natural to be a political leaders. In reality we know that people are gifted differently, some are good at one thing or something but not good at other things. A good doctor or lawyer or soldier does not mean he will become a good political leader. Anyone thinks this is untrue? Sure, there will be some doctors, lawyers, soldiers or professionals that would turn out to be good political leaders. Librarians, peanut farmers, movie actors, football club managers all can become political leaders. Soldiers too. The fact is that there is no straight forward correlation between one profession and another to become a good political leader. It is a farce to think this is a god given formula. It is worse to think that one can be a good soldier, good lawyer, good doctor, good academic and also a good political leader all rolled into one. It would be a biological fluke. The great philosophers were never great political leaders and great political leaders were never great philosophers. It is a desirable combination for a philosophical king. In reality, maybe one in 500 years or 5000 years. To believe in this assumption often led to lawyers, doctors or professionals who were damn good in their professions and making damn good money and thus demanding for the same money or more to be political leaders but ended up as duds and being over paid for what they are completely clueless as political leaders. A political leader cannot be made, and if made, often turns out to be anything but a political leader. Many great political leaders are self made, by the forces of history, to be there at the time of needs, to do the necessary and to be seen as great leaders. But then again it does not mean that no one can become political leaders, good or bad not an issue. Historically, many were made political leaders for all kinds of reasons and circumstances. Shakespeare said in the Twelve Nights, ‘Some are born great, some achieve greatness, some have greatness thrust upon them.’ Well at least he is talking about greatness be they born, achieve or thrust upon them. Some are anything but great. Think about the assumptions mentioned above and their applications and how effective or ineffective they can be. There is no one model to get a great political leader. And most political leaders that were great were not rich. Those that were rich were often kicked out from the seat of power, in disgrace.