Thomas Aquinas--Aristotle--Rene Descartes--Epicurus--Martin Heidegger--Thomas Hobbes--David Hume--Immanuel Kant--Soren Kierkegaard--Karl Marx--John Stuart Mill--Friedrich Nietzsche--Plato--Karl Popper--Bertrand Russell--Jean-Paul Sartre--Arthur Schopenhauer--Socrates--Baruch Spinoza--Ludwig Wittgenstein

Saturday 25 February 2012

HOW SHOULD WE JUDGE POLITICIANS?

In my opinion, there are 3 non-mutually exclusive ways, depending on your conception on the role and duty of politicians in the political landscape of your country.

1. POLITICIANS AS SUPERIOR MORAL BEINGS

Politicians are judged on their adherence to moral principles.  They should always act impartially, with an absence of self-interest and maintain exemplary behavior both in public and in private. A vulnerability to corruption or sexual misconduct will not be forgiven.

2.  POLITICIANS AS EXCEPTIONALLY TALENTED EXECUTIVES OR MANAGERS 

They are expected to be proficient and efficient in their jobs, and bring positive results towards the well-being of the country.  They must maintain social stability and achieve economic prosperity for the people.

3.  POLITICIANS AS TRUE DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE

Politicians must realize that they are elected into parliament not to speak for themselves nor to push for their own pet issues.  They should act as the voice of their electorate by maintaining close proximity to the people, listening to them, understanding their concerns and attitudes, discussing their different views and acting to advance their collective interests.

CONCLUSION

In short, politicians are talented super-citizens with high morals who are constantly aware of their heavy responsibility as guardians of the political rights of the people.


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