Political parties without underlying ideologies, like the ones we have in Nigeria, do not give rational votersthe tools they need to make informed political decisions. Since the ancient Greeks started practicing democracy, there was a fundamental concern that rational votersshould make informed decisions. That was why Pericles won enduring majorities within the citizens’ assembly. His political ideology was that lower class citizens should be included in the political process. Pericles believed thatgetting the masses involved in the political process wasthe best way to achieve the common good. That was the principle behind hispolitical movement. His steadfast principle endeared him to the masses.
Since Pericles, modern democratic societies have organised political partiesby bringing together people with common underlying ideologiesabout how society should be organised in order to achieve the common good. Consider the United States’ Republican Party. The underlying ideology has been for smaller government and conservative standson issues. Theybelieve the federal government should play a minor role in people’s lives. The majority of them favour lower taxes and less government spending on social programmes. They also believe in less government intervention in business and the economy. From Abraham Lincoln to Theodore Roosevelt, from William H. Taftto Gerald R. Ford, and from Ronald Reagan to George W. Bush, the Republican ideology has remained steadfast. It served as the guiding political principle that bound these presidents together.
Consider also the United States’ Democratic Party. The party’s underlying ideologyhas been for bigger government and liberal standson issues. Unlike Republicans, Democrats believe that the federal government should play a bigger roles in people’s lives. Most Democrats favour higher taxesfor big corporations and more government spending on social programmes. They also believe in more government regulations in business and the economy. From Andrew Jackson to John F. Kennedy, and from Lyndon B. Johnson to Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, the Democratic ideologyhas served to shape many of the policy choices that defined their presidencies.
Here isthe achy comparison to the political situation in Nigeria. George W. Bush was the governor of Texas from 1995 to 2000. He was the 43rd President of the United States from 2001to 2009. He is aRepublican. Hisfather, George H. Bush, the 41st President of the United States from 1989 to 1993, is also a Republican. Before becoming President, he was the Vice President of the United Statesfrom 1981 to 1989. Bill Clinton was the Governor of Arkansas from 1979 to 1992; he served two five year terms as Governor of Arkansas. He became the 42nd President of the United States and served from 1993 to 2001. He is aDemocrat. Barack Obamais currently serving as the 44th President of the United States. Before becoming President in 2004, Barack Obama wasa Senator from Illinois.
Interestingly, there are no constitutional or legal barriers preventingthese politicians from switching political parties. The reason they did not switch isbecause there is an underlying ideology that tiesthem to their political parties. It isan ideologythey believe in. That is not to say that these political parties are not invulnerable to internal party disagreements. When John McCain lost to Barack Obama, the Republican Party went through a period of internal conflict.
Now imagine that the politiciansI mentioned switched parties at some point in their careers. It would have been a career ending move. Even a mere switch in social issues prompts the anger of American voters. When Mitt Romney changed his position on abortion, Americans saw him as a flip-flopper, and it was one of the reasons why he lost the election. Besidescollective partyideology, greatleaders are known to have profound ideas regarding how society can be organised for the common good. Take Nelson Mandelaas an example; he believes that South Africa’s greatnesscan only be achieved when South African comes together regardless of colour or creed. That is hisideology.
In advocating for thisideologyhe said, “During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought againstblack domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”
It is troubling that even in this time of constitutional and economic crisis, Nigerian leaders are unable to articulate ideas that will give Nigerians hope for a better nation. In the absence of clearly articulated ideological beliefs about how to make society better, political parties become a group of cabalsseeking opportunities to loot, just asthey now appear to be doing in Nigeria.
*Mr. Odunze, a political analyst, wrote from Boston, MA, USA.
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