EDITORIAL: Why strong institutions matter
Our so-called second liberation struggle, to free our country from the yoke of economic hardships, cannot be won with weak state institutions. The strength, integrity and resilience of state institutions are important munitions in this fight.
When cardinal institutions like the Anti-Corruption Commission, ombudsman, electoral commission, courts and parliament are strong both financially and in terms of jealously guarding their mandates, society can prosper. Merely setting up these institutions is not enough. Their importance should be fully embedded in our collective psyche if their mandates are to be fully attained.
Institutions are as good as the capacity of the state that upholds them. State capacity cannot take shape if key institutions are captured by parochial, political or economic interests.
While we must be proud of the peace and stability the country has enjoyed since independence, we must also recognise the fragility of the ground we stand on. For instance, if parliament does not make laws that are people-centric to combat such social ills as poverty and unemployment, those affected will lose their patience and revolt.
As many experts have alluded, the strength of political institutions can be measured across safety and security, personal freedom, governance, and social capital. When society is guaranteed of those four pillars, it is easy for the economic war to be won.
Our democracy has remained pretty strong for many years. But a right to vote or to affiliate to any party of your choice is not enough. People must eat, sleep decently and access the best medical care possible. These, and other windfalls, may only be achieved when institutions shield society from harm.
When cardinal institutions like the Anti-Corruption Commission, ombudsman, electoral commission, courts and parliament are strong both financially and in terms of jealously guarding their mandates, society can prosper. Merely setting up these institutions is not enough. Their importance should be fully embedded in our collective psyche if their mandates are to be fully attained.
Institutions are as good as the capacity of the state that upholds them. State capacity cannot take shape if key institutions are captured by parochial, political or economic interests.
While we must be proud of the peace and stability the country has enjoyed since independence, we must also recognise the fragility of the ground we stand on. For instance, if parliament does not make laws that are people-centric to combat such social ills as poverty and unemployment, those affected will lose their patience and revolt.
As many experts have alluded, the strength of political institutions can be measured across safety and security, personal freedom, governance, and social capital. When society is guaranteed of those four pillars, it is easy for the economic war to be won.
Our democracy has remained pretty strong for many years. But a right to vote or to affiliate to any party of your choice is not enough. People must eat, sleep decently and access the best medical care possible. These, and other windfalls, may only be achieved when institutions shield society from harm.
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