NEGOTIATIONS AND SYSTEMS THINKING -3

Another example, why are the people duped into selling their votes to the rich but corrupt candidates? They think only of the immediate pleasure or satisfaction they will derive from the material bribes that they receive, that is why. Yet if they can be made to believe that not selling their votes can insure that in the next three or six years, whatever is the term of the position that is being filled up, then they need not suffer much. Or maybe they will be eating everyday instead of only for a day if they vote the right person to the position. Why because, an incorruptible official is sensitive to the plight of the marginalized, the poor and the needy. When people put them up in positions of power, then they know that they are expected to fulfill if not help in fulfilling their dreams of a better life.

Still another example, why is there infighting within organizations on how to push GG as a principle? This can be gleaned from the reactions to the candidacies of people -- like priests running for the presidency. Everyone is putting down this or that person saying, no they are not qualified; no it is better for them to stick to this and that position; or even say that he or she is too young to hold that position as if age is the yardstick for being principled; or say, ah, we are tired of having another woman again for president, as if gender really counts as a factor in exercising principled governance. (In this case, I would say that women and men and not just women or just men can exercise good governace.But there is such a thing as domineering politics, meaning to say that which is authoritarian and patriarchal. This type of politics looks as people as pawns and governance as a game of the weak and the strong. Also it breeds corrupt, and weak leaders.)

I do think that negative reactions to people's candidacies should be toned down and the qualities of leadership skills of the persons, apart from adherence to GG should just be examined.

How persuasive are they in making people see their points of views about governance? How have they fared in the past in launching movements for good governance in whatever aspect of Philippine life? In other words, political education at this time is needed to raise the level of politics to ensuring that the candidates possess that kind of "systems thinking" and possess the ability of negotiate and not use domineering skills, bribery or even violence (guns, goons and gold) to bring about a better life for the people.

Let us put an end to Machiavellian techniques.