{"id":93,"date":"2008-08-02T13:56:26","date_gmt":"2008-08-02T02:56:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/scriptorum.imagicity.com\/?p=93"},"modified":"2008-08-02T13:56:26","modified_gmt":"2008-08-02T02:56:26","slug":"practical-policy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/village-explainer.kabisan.com\/index.php\/2008\/08\/02\/practical-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"Practical Policy"},"content":{"rendered":"

[Originally published in the Vanuatu Daily Post<\/a>\u2019s Weekender Edition.<\/em>]<\/p>\n

Election season is well underway. For most people, it\u2019s unrolling as it always has. The usual gifts are handed out to the usual suspects. A chief receives a free vendor stall at the Independence ceremonies in exchange for delivering his community\u2019s support. A prospective candidate rounds up a few dozen friends and spends an evening doling out kava and chatting. An MP tours from village to village with a truckload of pots, pans and bags of rice. A prospective MP buys the truck itself.<\/p>\n

Generally, these transactions are notably free of platform or policy discussions. The tradition doesn\u2019t really work that way. It\u2019s not that candidates don\u2019t have agendas; they do. Nor are they hiding anything, necessarily; it\u2019s just that, at this level, they don\u2019t play the policy game.<\/p>\n

As they\u2019ve done for thousands of years, leaders invest their time and wealth in buying the support of the dominant personalities in their community. They do so by the most direct means possible: bags of rice, pots and pans, a favour here, a favour there. It\u2019s simple, direct and tangible for all involved. The price of a vote is lamentably low, but that\u2019s just a reflection of the value voters put in today\u2019s government.<\/p>\n

Occasionally, though, there arises that rarest of political creatures, a candidate with a conscience, and a policy platform to prove it.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

On the off chance that there might be one or two out there this year, and on the even offer chance that they\u2019re looking to this column for inspiration, I offer the following….<\/p>\n

Distinguish between policy and practice. For example, taking a stance against chronic corruption and incompetence in government is good and all, but that\u2019s not a policy. That\u2019s called doing your job. By all means raise the standard (please!), but that alone is not enough for voters.<\/p>\n

It would be funny if it weren\u2019t so tragic, but running as an ethical candidate is no mean feat here in Vanuatu. First, the continuum of honesty must be traversed. Convincing people even to come to a meeting that doesn\u2019t feature free kava, entertainment and possibly a beer or two to round out the experience requires a rare mix of leadership, moral suasion and sheer obstinacy. Then, every single assertion made on the podium needs to be reinforced privately:<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know that promise about ending vote buying? I meant it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, you did. Silly business that, expecting someone to deliver votes for… I guess the current price is 5000 vatu each…?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I really meant it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yes. Wouldn\u2019t doubt it for a second. So… 4500 each, and maybe you could help out with my boy\u2019s wedding?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI told you, I will not buy a single vote. There should be no one in the voting booth except the voter and their conscience.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, I see. Why don\u2019t you buy me and my five friends a shell and we\u2019ll talk about this some more….\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Yes, establishing oneself as a principled and ethical candidate is a terribly difficult business. It\u2019s necessary too, but that ethics alone won\u2019t get you elected.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re going to be the kind of candidate who offers nothing up front, you\u2019d better make sure it\u2019s clear to voters that their patience will be rewarded. You will eventually be required to bring home the cargo, and it better be more or less as you promised. More importantly, it better have direct, measurable value to your constituents.<\/p>\n

Legal reform is terribly important. Equally important is administrative reform and accountability. We all yearn for MPs and ministers who take the job of governing seriously. The ones who currently do are rare gems indeed. But the deplorable truth is that it\u2019s not a vote-winning policy. The Family Protection Act and Land Reform Summits are commendable undertakings, but they attract as many detractors as supporters. Keep these things under your hat except among friends.<\/p>\n

So what works? A chicken in every pot.<\/p>\n