Systems of governance

Isaac d'Israeli, father of the nineteenth century British Prime Minister, wrote: ‘Politics is the art of governing mankind by deceiving them’. Mr. d'Israeli would consider his opinion amply vindicated by the misinformation propagated to justify the illegal invasion of Iraq. A distinguished Canadian who served for many years in both the House of Commons and the Senate expressed his private opinion that every politician has two ambitions: the first is to be elected, the second to be re-elected; all means employed to attain these ends are politically justified. Almost every critical observer referred to in the earlier text, from Barbara Ward onwards insisted that all national and international development – economic, social or technological – depends on political will and priorities.

For a government to declare its dedication to sustainable development is now fashionable, intended to demonstrate political and social enlightenment. Yet political policies are rarely sustained beyond the life of the party or authority that holds power. The recent election campaigns in Canada, the United States and India illustrate the diversity of political and ideological opinion among contestant politicians. A notable US senator, Daniel Patrick Moynihan sensibly stated that every politician has the right to express his or her opinions but not to present falsities as facts. In pursuit of their objectives to be elected or re-elected politicians make promises most likely to be attractive to a majority of voters. When elected into power the tendency is to promote policies beneficial to persons, political action groups and industries that have provided them with significant financial support.