Rule through crisis? |
Humankind tends to be sensitive to security and has an innate tendency to protest and resist any attempts aimed at disrupting their perceived sense of identity, peace and serenity by the powerful. The resistance, however, doesn't always emanate from the collective strength of a population but from a collective sense of identity shaped - over generations - by historical, cultural, social, economic and political forces, ultimately leading toward inclusive prosperity. The identity with prosperity, nevertheless, doesn't come unless it is voluntarily, selflessly and consistently pursued by the governance machinery and institutions that derive their legitimacy from, and are accountable to, the public.
For rulers harbouring dynastic, despotic or authoritarian ambitions, a nationalistic identity and unified sense of purpose pose risks in three distinct ways: it raises the threshold of popular resistance; threatens the ruling machinery's exclusive privileges and interests; and subjects that machinery to potential public accountability. Therefore, such rulers........