Finding the Right Antidote for a Waning Political System

During the intense struggle that leads to a fragile state of a human being, once a virus has penetrated their immune system, the proper medication is required to heal one from the spread of such a virus. Similarly, a nation suffers the expanding corrupt presence of a few powerful figures that destabilize the social and political system established, in order to benefit their own pockets at the expense of the vast majority. What would be required to stop the spread of such corrupt epidemic, is to develop a social remedy or ideological shield that would enable the masses to push forth through the unjustness imposed. However, to make such bold move a successful attempt of triumph that would restore the balance of power to the hands of the people, proper guidance must exist in the form of a strong leadership. Leaders that are willing to uplift the cause of eradicating any form of injustice or repelling any oppressive circumstances from the state or the elites, is essential for a nation to be cleansed from the virus that is waning it down. Such leaders would appear, if the people are ready for such saviours to come to be. It is not only required by a potential leader or ruler to seize the opportunity of taking over the reins, but it is also pivotal that the people pave the way for allowing the right kind of individuals to take on such a responsibility.

The real challenge of fighting the virus that may affect society, is in handling and making the most out of the struggles that commence through such a hectic process. Through the struggles that people endure, they either fail to break away from the worsening conditions and fall victims to the first sign of a potential dictator or populist, or, they overcome their circumstances by taking matters into their own hands. But, even if the people are to collectively take over and exercise their rightful claim to power over their own sovereignty and legitimacy, they are in need of structuring. This kind of structuring falls upon generally a few, whom have the ability to envisage a better future and are able to make such vision become a reality. Politics plays the most crucial role in this entire scenario of transformation or even transition, by allowing for the exercise of the political discipline as a method of salvation. To salvage the state and allow it to be broken free from its own enslavement to the rule of corrupt laws and ambitions of demagogic figures, the state must become the embodiment of the people's values and desires. A state, then, should not politicize its existence, by providing a well-rehearsed performance to captivate the interests and loyalty of the people, but rather the state should use politics as a means towards sharing with the people their plans and their power to create a more functional society.

A society run by one more powerful than the other is not a taboo, unless the interests of the rich or strong is to keep the poverty and misfortune of the poor and weak alive. Cardinal Richelieu, who was an influential statesman of France during the early 17th century, believed that "Men are immortal as their salvation is in the hereafter. The state is mortal, as its salvation is now or never". This is imperative to decipher, for the true mechanism or power of the state, is in the hands of those that run it. When those that run it, are not working for the interests of the people (which means the interests of the nation at large), then the health of such nation deteriorates. More so, punishment or accountability works both ways. It is not enough to determine politically that the state is at fault, if it is contributing to a wide array of suppressive actions. Instead, it befalls upon the people, whom are the most accountable for the deteriorating health of their nation, as they are the most at risk of losing from showing leniency to a state that works for its own self-interest. Politics that is based on self-interests of an individual, is a short-term strategy that does not usually end well, as history is kind enough to exhibit. Politics is a collective effort, in which the individual plays a small part in operating it, and is or must not be a discipline that is used to serve and fuel the interests of a single person's alter ego. Every effort that a great individual has achieved, was only made possible by those around them. There is no such thing as having achieved success or glory on one's own. If politics is the art of possibilities, then such possibilities are made possible through the efforts of many supporting one to climb up the ladder. As Isaac Newton once remarked, "I managed to see further than others, as I stood upon the shoulders of giants".

Education is an antidote to the virus of corruption, ignorance, violence and lust. However, when education is corrupted and the corruptible virus gets immune to such weakening forms of antibacterial treatment, then it would be extremely difficult to generate better circumstances for progress and development. Participation is another kind of antidote, when it comes to establishing a more plausible balance that would resist the ambitious temptation of political figures. However, participation by those that are misinformed or not informed enough, is a danger to the very democratic or liberal process of establishing a proper electoral process or a checks and balances system. Therefore, it is not only the quality of members within institutions that one must be wary of, but the quality of the people that are to be guided, managed or led that must come into direct questioning. Innovation is another type of antidote, for innovation allows for the non-stop redevelopment of ideas and tools that would help enable a nation to progress, not necessarily on the same road but may also find different paths that would elevate their overall status and wellbeing. However, innovation may be a slippery slope, in the sense that not all matters that are invested upon for innovation are necessary or worthy of investment. Innovation of technology, for instance, is imperative to allow a nation to enjoy the benefits from an advanced technological environment that would support progress. However, when innovation is concentrated upon merely technological tools, such as phones, and not channelling such focus towards innovating ways to recycle trash or disposing of plastic or even within governing processes or infrastructural conveniences, then innovation is not being put to good use and would ultimately be deemed demeaning for real development of an entire nation.