Dickson Igwe, Resident Socio-Political Commentator
Politics and economics are joined at the hip. Both are about human behavior.
And one thing both have in common is public confidence. When public confidence is high in the management of an economy the economy thrives.
The preceding is the same with politics. When the public has confidence in government then governance becomes a piece of cake. Lose that confidence and life becomes a roller coaster for Julius Caesar.
Politics is about power, yes. However politics is also about equity and justice. And when the public perceive there is injustice there is always negative fallout.
The greatest asset the politician possesses is public support. And when that support diminishes owing to some type of action- frequently unpopular- the politician’s days are usually numbered.
The effective politician is adept at maintaining public support. He or she does that by ensuring the perception of Jack and Jill Public of the politician is favorable. That perception is the key component in maintaining the goodwill of the public. When that perception goes south, then the politician better watch it.
Anyone looking back over Virgin Islands politics over the past 30 years can clearly perceive a narrative. Political parties usually lose elections after two terms. However a ‘’one term government’’ is possible if the public perceive gross injustice in governance.
The Virgin Islands voter looking at him over the decades may have clear loyalties and preferences.
However Jack and Jill never hesitate to throw out a government at election time when the level of public angst rises.
This public angst is a good measure of public support when that angst moves upwards against a government, then the wise politician best watch his back.
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Dickson Igwe is an education official in the Virgin Islands. He is also a national sea safety instructor. He writes a national column across media and has authored a story book on the Caribbean: ‘The Adventures of a West Indian Villager’. Dickson is focused on economics articles, and he believes economics holds the answer to the full economic and social development of the Caribbean. He is of both West African and Caribbean heritage. Dickson is married with one son.
