What makes good political, economic leadership
Published on: Sunday, September 29, 2019
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He got frightened of Xi’s “made in China 2025”, “1 Belt 1 Road” and many other Chinese advances in technology like 5G, Huawei, space exploration, supersonic missiles, electric vehicles, high speed rails and rapidly rising international reputation as a up and coming world No 1 economic power, not forgetting China is USA’s largest creditor—-hence Trump’s “do or die” tactic to suppress and prevent Chinese ascendency. It is a civilizational cold war for Trump. His fear of China is best summarised in his UN speech on 24 September 2019 in which he accused China as the biggest threat in the world.
Why is it a civilization clash? Because both countries have diametrically opposite systems of government, economic and political philosophies, one is supposed to practise democracy, private enterprise and the other socialism with special Chinese characteristics and central planning. My generation has been indoctrinated that everything is best in democracy and the western culture, communism [socialism] is the bad guy. Only democracy practised by the west can we have a chance of the good life that the Mat Salleh enjoy. Years of this being drummed into our heads has blinded us that the west have colonised and exploited us and the other 3rd world countries. We grew up with all the negatives of Soviet Union, China, Cuba. Our fear was further reinforced with the collapse of the Soviet Union. China was wise not to fall into the west’s trap of “opening up for democratization” like the Soviet Union. The west nearly succeeded had China not acted decisively in the Tiananmen Square incident in which a few students died. This is a small price to pay to keep China intact. Now, the west has stirred up trouble again in HK by using students.
With China’s rise, we can witness that the west’s democratic model does not have the monopoly of economic progress.
China has shown us her way can be equally good, more effective. No nation has uplifted 800 million people from poverty, the largest number in human history without exploitation and colonising other countries. USA has Abraham Lincoln’s guiding principle “government of the people, by the people and for the people” which is the embodiment of American democracy. He expounded this on 19 November 1863. Generations of Americans have been brought up with this principle which has built up America as the most powerful country for almost a century. Implicit in this principle are all the qualities and requisites of good political and economic leadership. Implicit because the qualities and requisites have never been spelt out. Abraham Lincoln said it 156 ago.
Compared this to China’s philosophy of government. From more than 4,000 years ago, China has paid special emphasis on good governance, leadership responsibility towards nation and people’s economic welfare. For thousands of years, the brightest scholars have been imbued and nurtured to excel with the purpose of service to the Chinese nation and Chinese people.
About 2500 years ago, Confucius collated these practises into a succinct and comprehensive written system of good governance. He was driven to do this because the various states were at war with each other and the Chinese people were suffering greatly from the consequences of bad governance. Remember, China had this in written form 2500 years ago compared to Abraham Lincoln’s 156-year-old principle of governance.
Here is a brief explanation of Confucius’ 8 guiding principles of leadership qualities which our leaders should emulate, practice and promote ——
[a] 忠 means being faithful/loyal to king and country, to family and to the people. The leaders must never betray their responsibilities.
[b] 孝 means filial to parents, brothers and sisters, relative elders and the elderly in society. Leaders who have filial piety do not betray the interest of the nation or the people
[c] 仁embodies the values of being a good man, humane and benevolent
[d] 爱 personifies love and respect between husband/wife, for parents, children and vice versa, towards fellow citizens and for country.
[e] 信 represents credibility in character and in words. Most Malaysian leaders’ credibility is pretty shallow for they issue statements without consideration of circumstances and consequences.
[f] 儀 symbolizes compliance of established laws, rules and procedures. Strict compliance here will eradicate corruption and many other national diseases. Many Malaysian political leaders have strayed far away from “rule of law”.
[g] 和 stands for harmony for whole society. Spreading racial sentiments to gain political support is causing disharmony!
[h] 平[等] means equality for all in the eyes of the ruler. Leaders must show that they are subject to the same treatments as the lowest/power in the realm. Numerous examples of kings and high government officials having subjected themselves to the rule of law or have been brought to justice in China. Also, Government assistance should be rendered on needs not on race. This is the best democratic practice.
In addition to these 8 leadership qualities, the Chinese have this overriding principle of leadership responsibility “When a leader has committed crimes [or have failed to perform] it is not the people’s fault. If the people have done wrong [or mired in poverty], it is the fault of the leader”. Put this in modern context the people/voters can never be wrong. This part of leadership responsibility is missing in the American system. Trump would never agree to this.
Combining these to many other leadership responsibilities in the Chinese system, the Chinese model is more comprehensive than Abraham Lincoln’s principle of good governance, more comprehensive than democracy in the west. Adhering to the Chinese principle of leadership qualities/ requirements, the Chinese leaders have propelled China to No. 2 super power within 40 years and will become No.1 super power by 2030.
Back to this civilization clash–for thousands of years, the Chinese have all the principles of good governance in place and has been practising them albeit with occasional exceptions when there were lapses of bad leadership. USA, a very young nation, has no local standi to impose her democratic ideals on China. If USA so decides to drag this “trade war” on, China is unlikely to back down. Let’s face it, China has been around for more than 5000 years [compared to USA’s 300 years], during which time, China has experienced much worse that what USA can do to China. The Chinese culture of endurance and forbearance will stand to her good stead. China, as a nation, will emerge unscathed by this Trump trade war.
The successes of both the American and Chinese examples show no system is perfect or has the unique ability to bring peace and prosperity to the people. Can Chinese and American system co-exist and compete in a “gentleman” way? I am quite certain China, having 5000 years of history would be willing to give and take. However, USA, with Trump’s “talk big” and American “winner takes all” attitude, is unlikely to accept fair competition for the world’s No. 1 spot.
What pertinence of good political/economic leadership for Malaysians? Very sadly, far too many Malaysian political leaders have shown few of the above leadership requisites ——be it American or Chinese. Malaysians should bench mark the quality or the lack of it of our political leaders, especially our own YBs against the above list by using these questions. [a] Are they leading us to live in peace and harmony or are they using race and religions to divide us for their own ends? [b] Are we better off than before? [c] Are they producing policies that are will benefit all of us? [d] Are they working for a better future for Malaysians? [d] Are they corrupt? Why are they so rich and so much poverty in the country? [e] Do we feel safe? [f] How does our economy compare with well managed countries? [g] Are their words worth taking seriously for? [h] Are they giving us a world class education on which our future is dependent on? [i] Why are our roads bad, some very bad. Each Malaysian should assess the leaders so that we will know who to votes for in GE15.
Malaysians are gullible to exploitation by non-performing politicians who hid behind race/religious bigotries, many YBs who simply tell lies to their rural constituents. Looks like they can get away with all these political nonsenses. Malaysian voters are too easy going with their YBs. Time to change this.
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