In politics the ends justifies the means …
Politics globally is an art full of competition, expectations based on promises by political actors. It is also full of challenges between winners and losers. It is endowed with the responsibility exposure in both public and private domains where actors in the political line-light promise to do what they can if possible.
Some politicians are persuasive and have the ability to convince and cajole their admirers and followers. The concept or philosophy (end justifies the means) is not a new phenomenon. It started as far back as the medieval period with great writers like Plato, Socrates and Niccolò Machiavelli author of The Prince. The end justifies the means in politics as stated above is full of competition and often with disappointment. It all started in Europe on territorial expansion and usurpation and destruction of norms and values of other stake holders.
In 1789, Napoleon Bonaparte became a hero in the bid to redeem the French hegemony and salvage the bad conditions under which the French citizenry lived. He was successful with greater support from the down trodden proletariat who were almost scavengers. His success trumpeted a lot of expectations from the down trodden against the bourgeoisie, little knowing that Napoleon will be other wise in his administration of the French community. Furthermore, when we look at the fall of communism, the American system employed the services of Mikhail Gorbachev to eliminate communism in Eastern Europe. By the 1980’s the communist countries of Eastern Europe were facing serious problems. People there were much poorer than in the west and in some of the countries there wasn’t enough food for every one. The communist rulers were very unpopular and they relied on the support of the Soviet Union and its army to keep them in power.
In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev became leader of the Soviet Union and began modernizing the country. Gorbachev allowed people to set up their own businesses and to vote freely in elections for the first time. He also made it clear for the first time that the Soviet Union would no longer help the communist leaders to stay in power longer than expected.
In this regard, it is fait accompli that the expectations of the Soviet population was not accomplished. Gorbachev did not deliver what he promised but his mission to change the Soviet Union from where it was succeeded. This tells us that in politics the end always justifies the means.
Back at home in 2007, the two major political parties Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and All People’s Congress Party (APC) locked horns to attain the covetous seat of power. Subsequently, there was need for a run-off change (PMDC) led by Charles Francis Margai. The leader of the PMDC, Charles Francis Margai and followers went in support of the APC and Ernest Bai Koroma.
This decision was taken by the PMDC leadership with the expectation and aspiration to help Sierra Leone and sitizenry in the coming administration of His Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma. It may not have been deliberate but the relationship between the APC and the PMDC became sour.
However, the “End justifies the means” a philosophy that has been operational from the medieval time to the 21st century has been accomplished in our time.
Politics therefore should be observed with integrity, objectivity based on beliefs and ideologies in the best interest of the nation.
With Felix D. Fofoh
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