Man’s capacity for justice makes democracy possible; but man’s inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary. – Reinhold Niebuhr
Democracy is the best system yet invented and I wouldn’t want it any other way. Unfortunately it results in a popularity contest and popular isn’t always good. Because of this, the leaders who make the the more believable promises tend to get our vote. It also encourages a short-sighted focus. Why pander to the small percentage of voters concerned with long-term damage to the planet, for example, when what matters today is economic development.
Ministers constantly change places and responsibilities. How many people worry about the long-term consequences of their actions when they will only be judged on the short-term. So what if a bridge will collapse in twenty years? It is today’s minister who must propose an expensive solution and bear the criticism and perhaps sacrifice a promising career. ‘Hmm, maybe I’ll let the next guy deal with it.’
When all that matters is now, and when new is always seen as better, farsightedness is destined to take a back seat to political fashion trends.
Popularity contests also encourage smear tactics, a particularly distasteful human tendency. Negative ads are never designed to inform, they are designed to misinform.
Democracy is a gift. Here are the steps to follow in order to benefit from this gift:
Step 1. Get informed.
Step 2. Think critically about the issues, the promises, the long-term realities, and the kind of government you want.
Step 3. Vote. Please skip this step if you have not taken steps 1 and 2.
Every election campaign I dig out something I started writing two or three elections ago. It’s about the psychology of lying and how it interacts with our political system to promote it. I suspect I could recycle this column every election since it is unlikely politicians will stop lying any time soon.
Why politicians lie to us (Pourquoi les politiciens nous mentent-ils. Journal Métro, April 19, 2011.)
Here’s a news scoop: Politicians sometimes lie to us. Imagine that!
Do you ever wonder why politicians lie, or at the very least avoid telling the truth? The reason is quite simple. They lie because that’s what it takes to win an election. The problem is not with the politician. The problem is with the voter. They lie because voters punish honest candidates.
Politicians lie because appearance of goodness is what wins votes. Period. A politician who says that taxes can only be cut by reducing services, or who promises a new program that will require higher taxes, doesn’t stand a chance in a race against one who promises the same services by ‘cutting the fat’ instead of raising taxes.
Human nature: the liar
I was once on a selection committee to hire a staff member. One of the interviewers asked the candidate if he liked to work hard. The candidate dutifully replied yes, with enthusiasm I might add. I just had to laugh inside. Who the hell are we kidding here? Would anyone with half a brain answer any different? – “Uhh, well, actually I like to come in around 9:20, and have a coffee before settling down. I’m also a big fan of executive lunches.”
We simply cannot expect a person to answer a question honestly if the only answer that will get them the job they want is the answer we want to hear. By the way, the same thing applies when you are on a first date! Don’t we all say we like to take long walks in the rain? Just try suggesting it when your spouse is sitting on the sofa and it’s pouring outside!
Human nature: the receiver of the lie
The truth is sometimes unpleasant. The more we react badly when told the truth, the more people will lie to us. In this sense, the one being lied to is also partially responsible for the lie. Our immaturity – a combination of anger, idealism, anxiety, or unwillingness to face unpleasant realities – encourages liars to lie.
Ask someone if they like your new hairstyle and they will always say yes. Ask a politician if they will build you a new bridge or provide better healthcare and what do you expect? Honesty? Honestly!
If we want honest politicians we must stop punishing them for telling the truth.
If you are interested in reading more about lying, here is something I posted in 2008: Pants on fire!
Tagged as democracy, lying politicians, negative attack ads, Politics, psychology of lying.
Posted in Human nature, Random thoughts.
Posted on 25 Apr 2011
