Political slavery in the Third World

By Lakshman Jayawardena 

The political cultures inherited, inculcated, and followed by many generations, primarily in third world countries, developing or under developed, have cultivated political slavery in multiple forms.  People have been by blindfolded by successive leaders and blunt the free thinking capability to become followers of their doctrine. There is now an urgency to change this slavery and elevate poverty of masses. 

The urgency is not only to change the political slavery, but more importantly to educate masses to reverse this political slavery and change the growing unethical political practices. As long as we are slaves, our independence, our freedom will continue to be robbed by the State politicians. 

Politicians, people in power have continually abuse the system of governance to a level where resurrection to good governance is becoming harder. This was seen in many forms, stealing public fund at will, high borrowing and putting per capita debt high, investing without proper prudential assessments, exploiting the natural resources, increasing taxes willy-nilly and manipulating share market, etc. 

The corrupted politicians may say, the county in the path of development showing the growth in terms of GDP and per-capita, as most of us unaware or was purposely hidden the truth, returns on investment and the benefits in the short and long terms. This practice leads to become indebted and exposing room for manipulation by the major lenders. The emergence of China as world lending source to third world countries, has further exacerbated the state corruption. The WAAC (Weighted Average of Cost of Capital) of borrowings were not truly disclosed. 

Friends, as you understand, there is a significant anomaly and imbalance of incomes between have and have nots. The minority of the population consumes a large chunk of resources and the majority consumes very little. The primary reason was the corruption dominated and infiltrated at all levels of government. Politicians, the powerful, have deliberately weaken the state Law Enforcement Agencies and Judiciary system through direct and indirect intimidation to escape/protect from these offences and crimes committed by them.

Reversal could only be achieved, if all stand up against the corruptions and intimidation, this may take years and generations, however the urgency is to make an effort to change the political landscape so that one day we these countries will be freed from the jaws of political power. 

As everyone born with different strength and skills, there is no need to continue master-slave relationships where the previous generations followed the political stooge. There is no need anyone to be a slave of the power and to be promoting their causes for sweeteners they offer and promise particularly in the time of election. 

China has always supported and exercised their veto power to crush any accusation against her allies, and protect them in any international inquiries or tribunals.   This is not for the benefit of lendees but to realise their short- and long-term goals. 

Today, China is also flexing their muscles on first world countries too, having being imposed trade sanctions unilaterally. Third world counties in particular should learn lessons and watch the unfolding drama in the world political sphere. It’s time to reverse these unsustainable trends of growth a country can afford.  People should wake up and shouldn’t be carried away from the myths being advocated and should rally to save the countries. 

Therefore, I appeal to everyone, rich and poor, young and old, literate or illiterate to rally around under one banner to expunge corruption – corruption in the form of abuse, intimidation, interference, abductions of opponents, exploitation of natural resources and stealing public funds.  Determine to make stop to unethical practices and set the path to prosperity while strengthening law and order, the Judiciary and media freedom.