The Mirage of Political Solutions: Understanding the Failure of Governance
Governance is redefined as an organizational issue, not just a political one, in order to find more effective solutions.
Volume 23, Chapter IX, Number 031
Hello!
This Week’s One Great Thing: The Mirage of Political Solutions: Understanding the Failure of Governance
Part 1 of "Redefining Governance: From Political Battlegrounds to Organizational Solutions"
This week, I'm excited to kick off a mini-series that draws from my experience as an organisational development consultant, particularly in my collaborations with governments in Asia. The series will challenge conventional perspectives on governance, arguing that organisational development shouldn't be relegated merely as a tool to win political favor, secure aid, or gain funding.
The crux of this series is a radical yet crucial idea: it’s time to overhaul our understanding of governance. We must elevate organisational development and transition management from being mere tools in the political process to becoming the primary frameworks for transforming people's lives.
Stay tuned as we delve into a new vision for governance, one that promises not only more effective systems but also a more compassionate and responsive approach to societal challenges.
Introduction
Every day we witness debates, conflicts, and discussions about politics. Often, we're led to believe that political solutions are the answer to our governance problems. But what if the problem itself is not primarily political? What if it's organisational? This thought piece aims to shed light on a fresh perspective, arguing that governance is an organisational problem and not merely a political one.
Politics vs. Governance: Where the Real Issue Lies
Governance is a term derived from the Latin word "gubernare," which means "to steer." It refers to the process of establishing and implementing policies, making decisions, and taking actions to guide and control the operations of an organization, institution, or a group of people. Governance involves the establishment of rules, procedures, and structures to ensure accountability, transparency, and effective decision-making. It encompasses the principles and processes by which power is exercised, resources are allocated, and objectives are achieved in a systematic and responsible manner. Good governance is crucial for promoting stability, fairness, and the overall well-being of individuals and societies.
Governance, or the way we manage and control our societies, is often intertwined with politics. But politics, with its inherent partisanship and conflict, can often create barriers to good governance. Political solutions are driven by ideologies, party affiliations, and individual beliefs. Unfortunately, these factors can sometimes create gridlocks and prevent governments from addressing the real issues at hand. Francis Fukuyama's political science ideas are of note here.
Francis Fukuyama's Insights
Fukuyama, in his critical analysis of political systems, has shown that political ideologies often fail to evolve with changing societal needs. Politics can become a battleground where the focus shifts from solving problems to winning arguments.
Fukuyama argues that Western liberal democracy, once seen as the endpoint of political evolution and the ideal form of government, may not be the ultimate solution to governance. We’re seeing increasing dissatisfaction, divisions, and fragmentation in various societies at present that further underscores this point.
Here are some key points from Fukuyama that are good to think about and reflect on:
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Institutional Decay: Fukuyama argues that political systems often suffer from institutional decay over time (Fukuyama, 2014). This decay occurs when institutions fail to adapt to new challenges and changes in society. As a result, the effectiveness and legitimacy of these institutions erode, leading to governance failures.
The fall of the Roman Empire is one of history’s example of institutional decay. Over time, the empire's institutions failed to adapt to changing circumstances, leading to economic decline, social unrest, and the erosion of centralised governance. -
Lack of Trust: Fukuyama highlights the importance of trust in governance. When trust is lacking between the government and its citizens, it becomes difficult to implement effective policies and address societal issues (Fukuyama, 1995). Political polarisation, corruption, and perceived incompetence can all contribute to erosion of trust, creating obstacles to effective governance. That is why markers like Trust Ratings continue to be important indicators for governments and government officials.
The Tunisian Revolution, which started in December 2010, was sparked by the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi, a street vendor who was frustrated by the corrupt and oppressive practices of the government. The Tunisian people took to the streets to protest against unemployment, corruption, and political repression.
The Tunisian Revolution quickly gained momentum and led to the overthrow of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who had been in power for over two decades. The revolution inspired similar movements in other countries such as Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen, and Bahrain.
Throughout this “Arab Spring,” people were advocating for political reform, greater freedom, and social justice. These uprisings were largely driven by a lack of trust in governments, dissatisfaction with living conditions, high unemployment rates, and a desire for political participation. -
The Tyranny of Bureaucracy: Bureaucracy can hinder effective governance by creating red tape, inefficiency, and lack of accountability. Fukuyama emphasises the need for a balance between bureaucratic processes and the ability to adapt and respond to changing circumstances, suggesting that excessive bureaucracy can stifle innovation and impede progress (Fukuyama, 2014).
Governments = Bureaucracy in many cases. But one example of how bureaucracy can be tyrannical is the handling of the Flint water crisis in Michigan, United States. The crisis began in 2014 when the city of Flint switched its water source from the Detroit water system to the Flint River as a cost-cutting measure. The decision was made by unelected emergency managers appointed by the state government in an attempt to address the city's financial problems.
However, due to improper treatment and monitoring, the switch resulted in the contamination of the city's water supply with lead, a highly toxic substance. The residents of Flint, particularly children, were exposed to elevated levels of lead and suffered severe health consequences.
The handling of the crisis showcased the tyranny of bureaucracy, as government officials and agencies at various levels failed to respond effectively, prioritise public health, and take responsibility for the situation. Numerous complaints from residents were dismissed or ignored, and the severity of the situation was downplayed.
The bureaucratic processes and lack of accountability led to delays in acknowledging and addressing the issue, exacerbating the impact on the community. The crisis highlighted the need for efficient and transparent bureaucratic systems that prioritise the health and well-being of the public over cost-saving measures or administrative convenience. -
The Role of the State: Fukuyama also explores the role of the state in governance. He argues that while the state can provide essential services and regulations, an overly intrusive state can stifle individual freedoms and hinder economic growth (Fukuyama, 2011). Finding the right balance between state intervention and individual liberties is crucial for effective governance.
The Organisational Framework: A Fresh Approach
So, if political solutions are not enough, what can be the alternative? The answer may lie in treating governance as an organisational issue.
Consider any successful organisation. It thrives on innovation, collaboration, and adaptability. These principles, as emphasised by organisational expert Rosabeth Kanter, can be applied to governance as well.
Rosabeth Kanter's focus on confidence-building, accountability, and collaboration shows that applying organisational principles to government can lead to revitalised and more effective systems.
Why We Need to Think Beyond Politics
Innovation: Unlike rigid political ideologies, organisational principles encourage innovation, allowing governments to create new solutions for emerging challenges.
Collaboration: In an organisational framework, collaboration takes precedence over competition, fostering a more cohesive and united approach to problem-solving.
Adaptability: By focusing on continuous growth and learning, governments can become more responsive and adaptable to the ever-changing needs of society.
The movement from government and governance as political battleground to governance as an organisational problem needing organisational solutions is a critical step in bringing about long-needed reforms and improvements in governance. It requires a shift in mindset, moving away from traditional political approaches and embracing a more flexible and dynamic organisational framework.
This fresh approach to governance recognises the importance of innovation, collaboration, and adaptability. By fostering a culture of innovation, governments can develop new ideas and strategies to address emerging challenges. Collaboration becomes a central pillar, prioritizing cooperation over competition and allowing for a more cohesive and united approach to problem-solving. Additionally, adaptability becomes crucial, as governments must continuously learn and grow to effectively respond to the changing needs of society.
Taking inspiration from successful organisations, this organisational framework can bring about revitalised and more effective governance systems. It emphasises confidence-building, accountability, and collaboration, traits that are essential to building trust.
I look at the Singapore model of governance where politicians are technocrats who possess expertise in their respective fields. This technocratic approach allows for effective decision-making based on knowledge and expertise rather than (purely) political considerations.
In Singapore, the government values meritocracy and recruits talented individuals to serve as civil servants. These civil servants are then responsible for formulating and implementing policies that benefit the country as a whole. Then and only then do they become politicians. This focus on expertise and professionalism has helped Singapore achieve remarkable economic growth and social stability.
The Singapore model serves as an example of how a technocratic approach to governance can lead to successful outcomes. I have lived in Singapore for the past nine years and am a recipient of good governance based on sound organisational principles.
By adopting a similar model, other countries can strive to improve their governance systems. The incorporation of technocrats and experts in decision-making processes can enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of policies. This approach ensures that decisions are based on knowledge and expertise, rather than being driven solely by political considerations.
Moreover, the Singapore model highlights the importance of meritocracy in governance. Recruiting talented individuals based on their abilities and qualifications can ensure that the best minds are leading the country. This can lead to better policy formulation and implementation, benefiting the entire nation.
Conclusion: The Path Forward
It's time to move beyond the political battleground and start looking at governance from a new perspective. By viewing governance as an organisational challenge rather than a political one, we can pave the way for more effective, responsive, and humane solutions.
This article is the beginning of a series that aims to redefine governance and shed fresh insights on an age-old problem. Stay tuned as we explore how treating governance as an organisational issue can open up new possibilities and offer real solutions to the challenges we face today.
By shifting our focus and thinking creatively, we can create a governance system that is not trapped by political rivalries but instead flourishes through innovation, collaboration, and adaptability.
References:
Fukuyama, F. (2014). Political Order and Political Decay: From the Industrial Revolution to the Globalization of Democracy.
Fukuyama, F. (2014). Political order and political decay: From the Industrial Revolution to the globalization of democracy.
Fukuyama, Francis. (1995). Trust : the social virtues and the creation of prosperity. New York : Free Press.
Fukuyama, F. (2011). The Origins of Political Order: From Prehuman Times to the French Revolution.
Kanter, R. M. (2009). Supercorp: How Vanguard Companies Create Innovation, Profits, Growth, and Social Good. New York: Crown Business.
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Read the rest of the Governance Series:
- Article 1: The Mirage of Political Solutions
- Article 2: Human Transitions in the Face of Government Change
- Article 3: Embracing System Based Solutions
- Article 4: How Organisational Culture Influences Effective Governance
Ok! Now pause, get yourself to a window, look up to the sky, smile, and have a great day! Look forward to send you another letter next week!
☕ eric santillan