Wrong lessons in politics

At University of California at Berkeley (California), indisputably the best public university in the world, the owner of a sporting goods store was invited to deliver guest lecture on entrepreneurship to MBA students. He owned a small business but there was no reservation about his background and qualification. The point is, in reputable US universities, people with proficiency, acumen and on the job training are brought in to impart lessons in classrooms. I often wonder what we can expect from our politicians if they are asked to teach young university students from their knowledge and experience in politics.

I am not talking about the long list of run of the mill, nincompoop, ignoramus, rude, crude and obnoxious type. I want to single out the educated, sophisticated and knowledgeable few or those in the top leadership positions in the two dominating political parties.

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Saifur Rahman, Finance Minister, is a vocal, prominent, enlightened and informed member of the government and inner sanctum of the ruling party. He is prone to distributing stinging but justified reprimand and admonition to different government, some belonging to his Ministry, public and private groups, such as tax collectors, bankers and lawyers for their ineptitude, inefficiency, corruption, greed and nonperformance. These groups may have aversion to his plain speak and tough talk but most people think he is on the right track.

It was, therefore, baffling and mystifying to read about his vitriol and diatribe against Transparency International (TI) for finger pointing at his Ministry as the epitome of corruption. Practicing the age old adage, 'If you don't like the message, shoot the messenger,' he made scathing comments, trying to cast dispersion on the integrity, authenticity, and intentions of TI and distinguished persons involved with it. This is patently silly, ill-conceived and counterproductive. He would better be taking effective measures to remedy the malady rather than a ridiculous and futile attempt at maligning a reputable international organisation of good standing and credibility.

This is nothing new. Bangladesh politics is cyclical and revolves in a concentric circle, a vicious cycle at that. The more things change the more they remain the same. Esam Sohel, formerly of Wichita State University, recently commented in The Daily Star ('Honesty and our politicians', Letters to Editor, October 6, 2003) that when the TI report came out during the immediate past Awami League regime, SAMS Kibria, the then Finance Minister, accused the organisation of anti-Awami League bias and hinted at some dark conspiracy against the government. Esam Sohel pointed out, "--- only the names of individuals and parties have been (inter)changed. The fact is, both the ministers have been vocal supporters of the TIB when in opposition and participated in regional Transparency International conferences as delegates during their tenure on the Opposition benches." His conclusion, "-- children in kindergarten have more intellectual honesty that our politicians" is difficult to ignore or contradict.

To complete the circle, the latest TI report, published prominently in all the local news dailies, proclaims the 'preeminent' position of Bangladesh as the most corrupt country in the world, narrowly edging out the swindling champion, Nigeria, master of international fraud and deceit. This must be some kind of world record for Bangladesh, having garnered this cesspool award three years in a trot. This should be notably listed in the Guinness Book.

The Transparency International report is based on collection of facts and a set of objective criteria, applicable uniformly to all the countries investigated and ranked. On one side we have a reputable international body, with members of impeccable credentials, which presents its findings without malice or prejudice. On the other side we have the Government of Bangladesh, mired in corruption, favoritism and nepotism, lawlessness and graft, with tall talks and no rule of law, total disregard for acceptable standards and practices, and munchkin puny little achievements, blown entirely out of proportion. The incompetence and unprofessional attributes of the government are exemplified in the mismanagement of the CPA conference. Who is more objective, trustworthy and efficient? Whom should we trust and believe? These are rhetorical questions with obvious answers.

Nothing gives this country more of a black eye or a metaphoric bloody nose than this repeat top-of-the-trash-heap well-deserved and expected designation. If anyone is surprised, he must have been on an interplanetary voyage, a Rip Van Winkle slumber or in a make-believe hunky-dory fantasy world, far removed from stark realities of life and the living. Unimpeded, widespread and ubiquitous depravity has made the system rotten to the core. There is a bit of consistency in holding on to the top spot of the overall corruption index ranking. This has happened three years in a row and it has happened during the rule (or misrule) of both the high-flying rival political parties. More than anybody else, the politicians of the major parties, different shades and phony ideologies, are most to blame.

If the contradictory, duplicitous, convenient position of the two Finance Ministers seems incongruous and inconsistent, it is doubly incompatible and opportunistic for the leader of the two parties. When the Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition speak on important issues, it is 'like déjà vu all over again.' Each sounds like the other, depending on if her party is in power or in the opposition. This is like a game, with the common people as pawns and the future of the country at stake. It would be quite amusing and laughable except for the serious implications for the country, and agony and suffering of the people. The worst of it is the erosion of faith and trust, and the total diminution of hope.

Going back to the original premise, will a well-informed, enlightened and dignified politician be able to deliver a lecture on the crux of politics to university students? Since many politicians are garrulous and communicative and just love to talk, talk and talk some more, it is within the realm of possibility that some might. Then the big question is, would they practice what they preach and preach what they practice. For now and for most part, they would have to imply, 'do what I say and not what I do.' In terms of pompous, pretentious and sanctimonious utterances, our politicians have no parallel. It is just that there is such a yawning gap between their words and actions.

What we really need is a different brand of politics. For that we need a new brand of renaissance politicians, people of impeccable credentials, irreproachable integrity, and unimpeachable ethics, all of which are in short supply. If we get people with such immaculate qualities, we will have politicians who can deliver a genuine lecture to university students with clear conscience and, for a change, mean what they say. It may all be wishful thinking and pointless daydream at this stage.

Omar Khasru is an administrator at a private university.