The Man Who Would Be King
"We want our hospitals to start functioning again. There are no teachers in the schools, there are no books for the children and yet there are some who have the audacity to say Zimbabwe is already working when we say let's get Zimbabwe working again" appealed one of Robert Mugabe's challengers, Simba Makoni, his former finance minister. Yet 84-year-old President Mugabe, having completely beggared his country, will not let go.He is an absolute ruler and intends to continue ruling absolutely. The head of the country's police services has publicly called for Robert Mugabe's re-election. Any other possibility is not to be countenanced; he would personally not accept any other "puppet" leader. Sinister? Ominous? How about the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission ordering 9 million ballot papers when there are 5.9 million registered voters?
Or why 600,000 postal ballots were printed when those potential voters who qualify for postal ballots number approximately 20,000. Opponent Morgan Tsvangirai, who has been arrested, beaten, imprisoned, his supporters horribly maltreated and terrified, has deliberately not been kept informed about the voting process. His party claims that the electoral register is full of tens of thousands of ghost voters.
Zimbabweans are starving, there are no goods to be had, the country is staggering under tragic inflation rates, there appears to be no future for the people, for their country.
Contrast that as a study in political alteration and responsibility to that of the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, an inherited absolute monarchy whose mandate to achieve and maintain "Gross National Happiness" has led its monarch to introduce reforms leading to a constitutional democracy. Against the wishes of Bhutanese who wish only for their current system to continue.
"No one wants this election. His Majesty has guided us this far, and people are saying there is no need for change." King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Oxford-educated, and concerned for the future economic well-being and happiness of his people, has urged democratic rule on their behalf.
Before the current dynasty the country was comprised of local fiefdoms; no roads, currency, telephones, electricity. At present, education and health care are free, villages have potable water and electricity, and life expectancy has risen to 66 from the previous 40 years of age. The country emerged from a barter economy directly into modernity.
Most people will turn out to vote because their beloved king has exhorted them to. He has explained to his subjects that it was in their best interests, as a small and vulnerable country, not to have their fate left in the hands of a single person, chosen by birth to rule, and not by merit. Enlightened beyond the call of traditional dynastic entitlement.
The greater proportion of the population lives rurally, depending on subsistence farming. Road improvement, electricity connection and enhanced irrigation concern most of the people. This country of fewer than two and a half million, a country of very young people, with a median age of 20 years, is being brought into its future by a responsibly concerned leader.
By a man who would not be an absolute ruler, though he is their king.
Labels: Political Realities, Traditions, World News
posted by Pieface @ Tuesday, March 25, 2008
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