Political will is a term often heard in discussions about governance and policy-making. It is often cited as a crucial factor in achieving meaningful change and progress in society. But what exactly is political will, and what does it mean for a government or individual to possess it?
In its simplest form, political will refers to what politicians will actually do, rather than what they say. It is the determination and commitment of political leaders and policymakers to take action and then to implement necessary reforms or policies to address pressing issues or challenges faced by society.
Human Nature
Humans obfuscate power due to societal norms that promote equality and cooperation. There is a general fear of being perceived as selfish or abusive. As a result, humans often mask pursuit of power through subtler means such as manipulation, persuasion, or indirect influence. They may avoid overt displays of dominance and instead employ tactics like charm, charisma, or strategic alliances to gain and maintain power. This obfuscation can make power dynamics complex and challenging to decipher. Nonetheless, hierarchies still exist and power continues to be a fundamental force that shapes human behavior and interactions.
Political will, it follows, is thus not immune to external constraints and limitations. Political leaders operate within a framework of institutional and legal constraints, as well as the realities of power dynamics and competing interests. These factors not only “impact” the exercise of political will and act as deterrents to tackling certain issues, they are often the true source of political will. Some think of these factors as the puppet masters and their strings, with political leaders as puppets in a puppet show for the public, but this analogy does not always apply.
Political Systems
Political will depends upon the political system in which it is considered.
1. Democracy: In a democratic system, political will is typically shaped by the preferences and demands of the electorate. Elected officials are accountable to the people, and their actions are driven by the desire to gain or maintain popular support. Citizens can exercise their political rights, such as voting and participating in public deliberations, to influence policy decisions. As such, political will in democracies is often seen as more responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people.
2. Authoritarianism: In authoritarian systems, political will is usually concentrated in the hands of a few individuals or a single governing body. These systems often prioritize preserving the power and stability of the ruling elite rather than responding to popular demands. Political will in such systems is more likely to be driven by the interests of those in power, rather than the broader population. However, even within authoritarian systems, political will can vary depending on the individual leaders’ priorities and motivations.
3. Hybrid systems: Some political systems exhibit a mixture of democratic and authoritarian elements. In these hybrid systems, political will can be influenced by both popular sentiments and the interests of the ruling elite. The level of political will can vary depending on the balance of power between different actors and the degree of space for public participation and accountability. Political will can still exist in a failing or failed democracy run by special interests, but its effectiveness and potential impact on governance may be significantly limited. In a failed democracy, where corruption, nepotism, and the undue influence of special interests dominate the political landscape, the will of the people and their elected representatives may often be undermined or overridden.
4. Federalism: In federal systems, political will can be influenced by the division of power between different levels of government. The alignment of interests and priorities among federal, regional, and local authorities can impact the overall political will to address certain issues. Conflicting political wills between different levels of government can sometimes hinder or delay action on specific policies.
Biological Decision Dynamics
To understand political will, one must understand that humans are a naturally hierarchical species, and yet, put off by this truth, embarrassed about this naked fact, they have long cloaked it in various experiments and abstract illusions. Religion is an example, with one the earliest forms of political power belonging to cults and then to churches. Discomfort regarding the animal nature of dominance lead to invocations of something more elevated, such as animal powers, a personified Earth, or various gods, whereby, a person controlling resources of others who claimed to be following a higher power could be forgiven for enforcing demands upon the less strong and the lazy.
The unflattering picture of true human group decision dynamics is one where personal biases, power struggles, and the desire to please others often trump rational thinking and objective analysis. In this picture, decisions are often made based on emotional reactions, anecdotal evidence, and the influence of strong personality types rather than on thorough examination of available information.
Individual Leaders
Political will, corruption or not, is partly determined by the personal qualities of a leader. It requires effective collaboration and collective efforts among a range of stakeholders, including other politicians, civil society organizations, and citizens.
Political will is not a fixed or permanent attribute. It varies over time and across different issues. What people may influence their elected politicians to do is influenced by various factors including special interests, economic conditions, and even international pressures. Therefore, it is essential to sustain and nurture political will. In a failed or failing democracy, this means the public seeking change must be dedicated to finding and repeatedly kissing the right asses to ensure continuity of efforts towards achieving long-term goals.
Summary
Ultimately, political will is a crucial ingredient for transformative change in society. It is the driving force that translates aspirations and promises into tangible actions and outcomes. It appears to require a combination of determination, leadership, collaboration, and perseverance to overcome obstacles and bring about meaningful change. In some cases, it comes down to the one person–a company owner, a president, a king, a pope–who has amassed the most power in a particular domain saying yes or no.
In conclusion, political will is the determination and commitment of political leaders and policymakers to take action followed by the implementation of necessary reforms. It is not merely a statement of intent or a personal belief, nor is it solely dependent on one individual, unless that one individual is a very powerful person, such as a member of the ruling oligarchy. With dynamic external constraints and limitations impacting its exercise, political will, the crucial factor for achieving meaningful change in society, must be carefully understood on a case-by-case basis to win over current and at times unseen true decision makers.
More: Check out this list of things humans are not doing currently due to lack of political will.
Citations:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_will
[2] https://www.vox.com/2016/2/17/11030876/political-will-definition
[3] https://ccsi.columbia.edu/news/political-will-what-it-why-it-matters-extractives-and-how-earth-do-you-find-it
[4] https://www.governing.com/gov-institute/on-leadership/gov-political-will-lbj.html
[5] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/57a08cbfed915d622c001551/R8236Appendix3.pdf
