Kevin McCarthy and the travails of democracy, By Dakuku Peterside

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U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy pauses during a press briefing about a looming shutdown of the U.S. government at the Capitol in Washington, U.S. September 29, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

There are parallelisms in the issue of trust and mechanics of politics between American and Nigerian politics. The point of trust in public life is central to leadership, and successful leaders cultivate trust among fellow leaders, followers, and the public in general. I have addressed in this column on 10th October 2022, the importance of trust in leadership. Transactional leaders may have their way but can never be the model.

The first sign of democratic retreat is the lack of trust in the government. Trust in government is a crucial component of a healthy democracy. Citizens must believe their government is responsive to their needs, accountable, and acting in their best interests. When trust in government declines due to corruption, inefficiency, or perceived lack of representation, it leads to a loss of faith in the democratic system.

Besides, high levels of political polarisation contribute to a retreat of democracy by undermining trust between different population segments. When citizens view their political opponents as enemies rather than fellow citizens with differing views, it can lead to political gridlock and undermine the democratic process. Although politicians in all climes prefer to protect their interests above the public interest, leadership change does not necessarily have to be violent or monetarily induced.

 

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