The muddle with democracy is that worldwide it has been known to attract mostly self-serving and over-indulgent politicians. Unfortunately for Africa and many parts of the developing world the trend is that many have willingly adopted the system as prescribed by others without tailor-making it to suit respective environments. There is a need for a governance of function not the tired, over-used and misused regulation. Before colonisation Africa had a governance of function which worked effectively only to be disrupted by democracy as inflicted but not by democracy the construct itself. Multi-party democracy in Africa has elevated politics and politicians to become careers instead of a service to the people. When such situation prevails the opportunity to vote themselves more power, perks and benefits happens and of course corruption becomes endemic. The possible alternative to Africa’s current governance of regulation is a move back to a governance of function and technocracy with all its pitfalls offers the best possible remedy to clearing up the mess created by incompetent and squabbling politicians.
Technocracy advocates for a country to be run by its best people which is contrary to democracy which is government of the people by the people irrespective of ability. With technocracy the criterion for qualifying to top leadership is expertise and ability to deal with real life situations and working hard to ensure successful application of agreed outcomes. There is no way Africa is going to progress if strategic components of nations are manned by incompetent and unqualified personal. It is fact that people with technical backgrounds tend to be problem-solvers, highly logical and broad thinkers who tend to think outside the box as opposed to those with arts backgrounds. Coming back to Africa before colonisation, the continent was abundant with practical problem-solvers who were doers and not cheap-talkers. This is not to suggest that people with arts backgrounds are all mouth with no guile and a practical outlook and hence no place in the dealings of state. However technocracy is not just a better option but a necessity for developing countries to realise their full potential. A technocratic government is one in which the ministers are not career politicians but rather ‘’experts’’ in the fields of their respective ministries. Of course many will counter by arguing that the government and governing are social constructs that serve social functions and the technical fields may be inevitably related to government but they are not inherently related to government. But the question still remains, with all the fanfare and hype as part of democracy entourage, how come the continent is still stagnant even with its rich history, abundant resources, and extraordinary manpower?
The key to good governance is the total prevention of corruption of those entrusted with positions of power. The African continent is currently immersed in that predicament and tremendous effort is required to eradicate corruption and progress in eradicating corruption will coincide with greater economic advancement if the political will is genuine. The ability to understand a situation and deal with it correctly does not have anything to do with popularity but with knowledge of the subject period. The reality is that technocrats have the ability to rise above the paralyzing and polarizing political poison prevalent continent-wide at the moment. They often bring very little in terms of ‘baggage’ and more of a reputational advantage both in terms of knowledge and a sense of putting national interest above paltry party political pursuits. Let’s not confuse technocrats with bogus academics turned-business-people-turned-politicians. Lawyers and arty politicians talk the talk, talk too much and do very little. The thing with technocrats is that they can practically claim wiser economic stewardship, greater ideological commitment to economic principles and deeper connections with transnational and multinational financial networks. The economy is the driving power of any nation thus academic and practical awareness of economics are a prerequisite of those intending on positions of economic influence and a blend of technocracy and democracy is sure meant to lead to economic transformation. A country’s finance minister has to have an academic background in economics as standard because even if you want to fuse the realities on the ground with economic principle you would need an awareness, understanding and academic background in the subject. Economics is a critical discipline for its all encompassing nature and the fact that it is intricately attached to the political function of the state. One would be forgiven for feeling uncomfortable with someone who has not studied economics to make heavy economic decisions that will greatly impact the country for decades to come.
A seamless unification of the political and expert components of the governing function could be a way out of the economic dire straits all African countries face. A brilliant economist will have that ability to see exactly the needed fiscal adjustment but deciding how and where to cut spending or taxes require precise political sense. A political functionary who can make good moral decisions with the public’s interest whilst also having an awareness and ability to comprehend different expert opinions and paradigms is crucial to any country’s economic revival. The country’s leadership needs to be more conversant and appreciative enough to consult with technocrats to help make sound economic decisions and at the same time be well-versed in the humanities and social sciences. It is important that leadership is driven by ethos and a bona fide desire to do things right and to do the right thing while considering long-term solutions. This means removing from power those politicians who only value self-benefit over the public good. This is about ethos and that crucial integration of wisdom and smartness.
It is impossible to exclude facts from political decision-making process. Worldwide people yearn for a clever, dispassionate and principled government and Africa is no exception. When the usual rulers prove indecisive or are discredited, turning to the wisdom and expertise of technocrats is a way forward. It is possible that when political power is not publicly contested at all, electability is irrelevant and expertise can give the ambitious an edge. Technocracy is actually a proven model of governance which has elevated the standard of living of a people from a third world to a first world in the case of Singapore and China. An interesting point to note is that in China’s Politburo Standing Committee eight out of the nine members are engineers and also the current Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has degrees in Economics and Law, a healthy academic combination for governance of function.
The Chinese have engineers, scientists, economists and mathematicians in the political fold especially at Politburo level instead of lawyers and useless arty politicians who do more talking than function effectively. No offence intended, but if African politicians put as much effort into action as they do in talking the continent would be a powerhouse by now! Singapore is run by technocrats and is a shining example in the governance of function for the greater good of all citizenry through a clear understanding of their needs and political will to ensure these needs are met.
Africa has to embrace technocracy for its expertise-based approach.The continent deserves better, an urgent need for technocrats to fix our dilapidated infrastructure and dysfunctional institutions. It needs practical functionaries who will unclog systems and clear the entire deadwood that remains the bane of most national establishments and institutions. Institutions are bigger than personalities and a reform programme can only be deemed a success when its momentum outpaces its original architects.
Bernard Bwoni can be contacted on bernardbwn@aol.com/ http://www.bernardbwoni.blogspot.co.uk/
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