The madcap world of Athenian politics is “exceedingly diverting”, to use Jane Austen's phrase, particularly if you enjoy the theatre of the absurd. If you don't, tough bikkies. It is not likely to change any time soon. However, in New Zealand now, something more sinister has emerged, which is not nearly so diverting. There is now also a deep sense of unease, that reflects a profound disconnection between the governed and the governors.
This has happened, of course, many times in various nations the past; it will no doubt happen in the future. Such is the way of the world. Nevertheless, we all ought to be aware of the risks that are represented when a governing elite is disconnected from the “real world”—that is, the world in which the large majority of the governed live every day, and eke out their existences.
The first risk is that the governors will pass laws and introduce policies that are exceedingly damaging to the governed. The governors inevitably have a view of what is the best interests of the governed, but because of their distance and isolation they are wrong more times than right. This builds anger and generates resentment throughout society. Disrespect for the law, for the governing institutions of society is an inevitable outcome.
Secondly, it can generate conditions where the disconnect is so severe, that it leads to violent resistance, to the point where society fractures and falls apart. The modern term is balkanisation. At such times, constitutional structures and legal traditions offer little protection.
Most societies and civilisations collapse from within. To be sure, there are external threats of one kind or another—but that is always the case. Robust and strong societies usually are able to withstand such threats, and even become stronger through engaging with them. But when there has been a long and sustained disconnection between governors and governed, and when society has started to become balkanised, the ability to withstand external threats is diminished: collapse is the usual outcome.
New Zealand is not immune to such historical realities—although to date the vast majority of our countrymen would think such extreme societal breakdown impossible. Whilst most Athenian Unbelievers in this country would have a “manifest destiny” view of the future of the country, believing that our society as we know it will continue in perpetuity, all the historical evidence is to the contrary. And, as Santayana observed, those who don't learn from history are condemned to repeat it. The historical lesson we need to learn is that “there ain't no manifest destiny, baby.”
Some serious thought needs to be given to constitutional mechanisms to prevent the disconnect between the governed and the governors. It would go a long way to keeping society relatively robust and more coherent. Before we throw up some things that ought to be done, let's look at the problem from another vantage point.
Several years ago, Professor James Holt characterised a certain kind of politician and political leader he saw taking the political stage in New Zealand as being a “mushie”. He wrote:
A typical mushie is of middle class origin who acquired an interest in left wing or liberal causes whilst studying history or politics or sociology at university. He or she (they are often shes) was drawn to the Labour Party because of its stand on issues such as Vietnam or the Springbok Tour, or because he wished to use the party to push such issues. Mushies are generally warm to environmentalism, feminism, ban the bomb causes, and any issue that has a high moral high ground content and a slogan that can be conveniently placed on a lapel button. They are concerned about underdogs and hostile to establishment forces in a general sort of way, though they live rather well themselves and collect fine paintings and wines along with fine values . . . . Their mushiness lies in their economic issues. . . . They are almost invariably protected from the sort of life situations that teach people about economic realities. Usually they work in the public sector and have little fear of unemployment or of a fall in real income. Although well educated, they know nothing about economics and indeed have studiously avoided studying it. (Hat Tip: Inquiring Mind)Over the past nine years, New Zealand has been ruled by a government of “mushies”. This is unparalleled in our history. One consequence, we believe, will be that history will record that the Clark administration, together with its fellow-travellers, the Greens and NZ First, did enormous damage to New Zealand society. With very little “real-life” experience, yet with an arrogant belief about how the world ought to be, they have systematically damaged, and in some cases, done a great deal to ruin the social fabric. This damage will have come about largely because of the kind of people that made up the governing elite during those years. Fundamentally they were, or became, unfit to govern.
The disconnection between the governors and governed is self-correcting in a democracy, many would argue. Political polls indicate that the "mushies" will be cast into electoral oblivion come November, 2008—so, that's the end of that. But the damage done is considerable, and will take years to repair. It may never be repaired.
We believe it would be better to put some constitutional safeguards in place to endeavour to prevent "mushies" or anyone else unfit to govern entering Parliament. This is even more critical now that under MMP, there are many “representatives” who never have to persuade an electorate to support them—they are career political party animals from beginning to end.
We suggest that the following constitutional conventions need to be enacted to help ensure fitness for parliamentary service.
1. In order to be a Member of Parliament the previous five years need to have been spent in gainful employment. Disqualifications need to include any of those five years being employed by the government or an agency of the government or a political party. Excluded, therefore, would be people employed as teachers, public health workers, government bureaucrats, the armed forces, and the like, and any employer or employed position which relies upon government funding for its income or existence. This qualification is necessary to ensure that governors have actual experience in contributing positively to society whilst being fully exposed to the threats, risks, and dangers of ordinary life—threats to which the vast majority of the governed are exposed constantly. Such people are less likely to governed with that idealised detachment from the real struggles of life.
2. No Member of Parliament can serve longer than four terms (or twelve years, whichever is the shorter). No Prime Minister or member of Cabinet can serve longer in those offices or in Cabinet than three terms (or nine years, whichever is the shorter). The objective here would be to prevent career politicians. It also helps ensure that the governed do not lose touch with the governed. It also helps prevent that damage to the country that inevitably results when politicians use their office to promote and protect their own venal career interests.
3. No Member of Parliament, having served in the House for one term (or three years, whichever is the shorter), can return to employment (whether for wages or stipend) by the government, or any government agency, board, quango, statutory or regulatory body, or any position requiring government support or nomination, or any paid position with any political party for a period of five consecutive years after leaving the House. This constitutional rule is necessary to prevent governments buying off their supporters with offers of sinecures and compensation once they leave politics. Such, “sweetheart” deals, or baubles, are becoming all too egregiously common in New Zealand.
Such measures would not solve all constitutional problems by any means. However, given that MMP has created a political class in New Zealand that is rapidly becoming self-protective, self-perpetuating, and self-serving, such constitutional protections are desperately needed. MMP has shifted political power into the hands of a rapidly emerging and entrenching governing class. It has neutered the general populace. It has led to the destructive ascendancy of the “mushies.”
If such weaknesses and gaps in our constitutional fabric are not addressed, and addressed thoroughly, the disconnect between the governed and the governors will only grow wider over time. Tourism New Zealand will have to come up with new promotional slogans to entice dwindling numbers of tourists to come and support our economy. We look forward to the new international tourism campaign: “Welcome to the Balkans of the South Pacific”.
Along with this the following travel advisory will no doubt be issued: “While in New Zealand, leave no property unattended. Hire a personal security guard (patch wearing member of Black Power or Mongrel Mob recommended) and keep in his presence at all times. Relinquish all property and all money to your personal security guard upon departure. Enjoy our clean, green country.”
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