❊ Politics is How Countries Work

Yesterday I posted an article by a guest writer who shared with us the promise he sees in three young Lebanese politicians. In the comments to that post, there were two kinds of dissenting arguments: One that I respect, and one that I don’t.

I respect it when people argue that we should take away some power from politicians and focus more on ideas and policies. I perfectly understand it when they say that we should empower the judicial system, non governmental organizations and media watch dogs.

What I don’t respect is the argument that all politicians are bad, that somehow all other social groups (workers, journalists, activists, judges) are better and more decent people. I hear a lot of people who scoff at Okab Sakr for leaving journalism and becoming a politician, as if he somehow sold his soul to the devil.

Politics has always been a thankless field, but in the end politicians are the ones who write laws and effectively run the country. It’s perfectly fine to admire politicians and even aspire to be one. Like all people who are in a position of responsibility they often screw up, but we as civil society should strive for better politics, not for no politics, and much less for a world in which all politicians are somehow magically replaced by people we never heard of before.

The laziest argument in the world is “all politicians are evil”. It’s a convenient way to create a boogie man, to absolve yourself of what’s wrong, to make yourself look like a victim and to give yourself an excuse for doing nothing. Running for office is a much more decent thing to do.

Related post: ❊ In Defense of Lebanese Politicians