Donald Trump’s election as Republican nominee for president and Theresa May’s promotion to British prime minister - both major detractions to their respective societies and economies - are signs of a void of leadership.
This void is created and allowed to fill with bigotry when voters allow singular passions to guide their choices and lead them to ignore all their other priorities. This year has flared up with such passion points such as immigration, job losses, corruption, nuclear energy, tribalism, economic status, education fees and terrorism.
Trump’s supporters, for example, are so fixated on his anti-immigrant, anti-establishment rhetoric that they completely ignore how he violates their other principles.
Women support him despite his sexism. Business leaders support him despite his threat to the economy. Churches support him despite him acting out many of the behaviours they preach against.
These voters will likely be euphoric if he wins, but how long can the love for their momentary bugbear endure while their other priorities are being eroded?
Choose wisely
In the case of South Africa, I hear people who believe in free markets say they will vote for the EFF because Malema is the only leader who effectively stands up against President Jacob Zuma. Will they choose to ignore then, that the EFF stands behind nationalisation of land and mines?
I hear people say they always vote for the ANC because it is the party that represents them while at the same time complaining about under-representation in their ANC-led municipality.
I hear people say the DA is the only hope South Africa has, but they can’t explain anything about the DA’s proposed policies.
In terms of voter representation, the outcome of Brexit is worse than the US. Nobody voted for Theresa May or for her Conservative Party while she was a nominee for prime minister. She was simply the next in line after political chaos led to the toppling or resignation of the rest. Now the average man and woman in the street will have to live with her decisions having not put her there in the first place.
Such political chaos is not far away in South Africa if we cast our vote passionately while fixated on only one element or promise of a party. We will get what we want in one aspect, lose it in most others and vote for leadership we don’t truly understand.
Political leaders are like electricians: you don’t need to like them in order to choose them. Votes should be cast on their ability to get the job done and according to the job you need done for you.
Brexit, Trump and apartheid were all built on hate and fear. Using passionate triggers is like dispersing a drove of donkeys by dangling a carrot in front of each of their noses, dividing the group and ruling them with ease among the chaos.
Long-term interest
When choosing whom to vote for, ask yourself whether your choice is based on trying to get the carrot or on what’s in the long-term interest of you and the group?
What this means practically is ignoring all emotive messaging and campaigning that lacks substance. Campaigning upon Mandela’s legacy? No party owns it. It belongs to Mandela and to every South African. Only the country as a whole can do justice to it and bring his dreams to fruition - not an individual group waving their divisive flag.
Turn rather to manifestoes and track record. Who has already done what you need doing? When discussing your choices, discuss not personalities and promises but rather actions and decisions.
Capacity is key. Your principles may align best with the African Christian Democratic Party, but will voting for them put them in a place to turn principal into practice?
Do not get distracted by drama. The decision to cancel the Independent Power Producers Programme will have far more impact on your life than Nkandla.
And most importantly, remember that your vote is private. When you are in the voting booth you are alone. Vote for what you truly believe and not for what the deafening noise outside wants you to.
* Pierre Heistein is the instructor of UCT’s Applied Economics for Smart Decision Making course. Follow him on Twitter @PierreHeistein.
** The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Independent Media.
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