This question was put forward by Simon in a comment on the ‘Ask James‘ page.

Simon: – James, as the mainstream parties political continue to move towards the centre, would you say that political ideology still has a realistic place in Maltese politics?

Me: – As regards the mainstream political parties, it is true that their policies seem to be heading towards a common mono-rail. However at times I have been given reason to question whether it is truly two political parties whose’ manoeuvres we are witness to and not a puppet act; with the Labour party thus far playing the puppet, seemingly taking a fall at too many important junctures in the past decade to shrug off as mere misfortune.

1998 – Was Labour taking the heat for utility price rises and CET to pave the way for the Nationalist’s surcharge and VAT increases?

2003 – Was “Switzerland in the Mediterranean/ Partnership” ever properly explained? Why were voters against EU-entry instructed to split their vote (don’t vote, spoil the vote, etc.)?

2008 – How did Labour retain Alfred Sant as leader and manage to lose the election… again? Who kept him there and why? Isn’t it interesting just how friendly and comfortable the Nationalists seem to be with the new leader?

Would you like a cheese burger or a hamburger Mr. Voter? 9_9

…But that wasn’t your question. ;c)

I would say that political ideology not only has a realistic place in Maltese politics but that the Maltese Islands are desperately in need of ideology. Without ideology reality is destined to deteriorate as you would get little progress (progress itself resulting from ideological processes).

Unfortunately I do not believe that the Maltese Islands have sufficient ideology in politics. This has resulted in a knock-on effect. Without political ideology there is no means by which a population can truly relate to the structures of governance that they have endorsed. The people become apathetic, just as they are today. The people worry about the cost of food and the lowness of the wages – important – but miss the wood for the trees. Tuna does not give a human being a purpose in life and neither does a one-Euro increase in wages (though welcome). What gives a human a feeling of purpose in life is to feel that one belongs, that one matters, that one has a role that one has chosen and that one will be appreciated for, that one is able to grow within their society, rather than wither beneath the jealous, vindictive or malign stares of others.

Realism can give Malta more of the same, and a practical means to achieve – but without ideology the best that one can aim to achieve is what one already is… and as they say, you need to aim for the mountains to reach the peak of a hill.

Do let me know if I fall short of answering your question in any way. :c)

Simon: – No, you haven`t fallen short at all. I appreciate another informed and well-expressed opinion. Like you, I would like to see political ideology return to the domain of political debate or, failing that, for the political actors to just come out and admit that they have no ideological convictions if that is the case.

At the moment, it seems that they want to have their cake and eat it by paying lip service to the ideological traditions in order to curry favour with certain parts of the electorate but essentially ignoring it when it comes to governance.

Me: – You’re welcome and thank you for another excellent question. While things do not look positive for the future of Maltese politics, what with both sides of the mainstream party locking down upon power in whatever means they deem necessary (under the pretence of “strengthening democracy”…). Indeed it seems that they are having their cake and they are eating it and this cannot very well be denied considering the mess that I witnessed at the counting halls during the last election.

However defeatism never ever brought about progress even in the most seemingly hopeless hollows.

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 17th, 2008 at 11:00 pm and is filed under Ask James. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.