‘Simplicity is better…’ but it does not build a state

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IN her book titled “Political Leadership”, the American expert in management science Jessica Cameron detailed the most prominent characteristics of a successful political leader, the most important of which is decision-making and his influence on it.

This can only be done through a responsible person who acts as a role model for integrity. He must have good communication skills that enable him to work with a group of other people, and achieve the greatest benefit for the people. He must resist temptations, and should have a good conscience.

A group of countries built their renaissance on these principles. They had leaders who had ambitions to serve their countries and were proficient in the art of choosing assistants.

When Muhammad Ali Pasha took over the reins of government in Egypt, he found an entity suffering from a number of structural problems, from which it was only possible to get out through perseverance in follow-up.

That is why after a few years, he built an effective state regionally and internationally.

Also, some American presidents such as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Harry Truman, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush who overcame difficulties to build a strong United States had adopted such a manner and left a mark in history.

All of the aforementioned leaders did not work alone, but had experts and advisors who were chosen with great care.

In the region there were leaders who sought to achieve their ambitions with the available capabilities, such as King Faisal in Iraq, King Abdulaziz, the unifier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan, and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who made a tremendous effort to unify the United Arab Emirates.

Before them, Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah, during a sensitive international and regional political moment, was able to build a protection umbrella for Kuwait, and make it the first nucleus of an independent state.

They were willing to make difficult decisions, some of which were unpopular. On the other hand, there were officials who chose to leave matters to their incompetent assistants, which helped in spreading corruption due to the lack of accountability.

This is the case in Kuwait, as we have not witnessed any development for nearly three decades. This is because some heads of government were putting personal considerations above the public interest, due to their lack of key leadership qualities, the most important of which is the ability to bear responsibility.

It is true that there are some officials who worked outside the box, but did not want their reputation to be tarnished. In fact, they were fought by the Council of Ministers itself, which is why we have reached an unenviable situation today. Abstention from assuming responsibility has become a general norm.

In addition, the referral of many officials to the Public Prosecution indicates the extent of administrative wear and tear due to the minister not fulfilling his responsibility faithfully, either because he follows certain influential people or because he is working to achieve his party’s agenda and profiteering. The biggest disaster is that some ministers consider themselves as mere employees who implement the wishes of their boss.

On the other hand, the National Assembly did not meet the expected ambition, given that they put their interests before the public interest. Therefore, most parliaments were dissolved in the past three decades due to personal disputes.

With the start of the National Assembly session, Kuwait is today faced with a new test. However, it is clear that the situation will not change. This is because the government is unable to implement its program due to its weakness, and the parliament will not allow laws to be passed unless the parliamentarians gain from it.

Such situations neither build a state, nor fortify it in the face of the crises that are ravaging the region. Do executive decision makers realize that, or will they follow the popular proverb – “Simplicity is better than affectation”?

By Ahmed Al-Jarallah

Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times

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