Cynicism destroying our democracies

THE discourse around politics, politicians, our expectations of politics and politicians — often confused with imagined rights — is riddled with scepticism and very often deep cynicism. 

Performance is derided, motivations questioned and framed in the most dismissive, counter-productive way. The online version of that discussion is nearly always poisonous and relentlessly negative. This discourse seems as much about destroying politics as we know it as it is about analysing politics and the possibilities that process offers.

Once upon a time, in the old gods’ world, social pariahs were put in stocks and physically abused by anyone brave enough to kick a man when he was tied down. Today most politicians are subject to abuse, especially on the wildest frontiers of online petulance, and though criticism is, sadly, too often justified and ignored these attacks seem the self- perpetuating, self-fulfilling ruin of participatory democracy.

Why would anyone, young, able and idealistic become involved in politics if they know that the higher up the greasy pole they climb the more abuse they and their families will face? Why would anyone from outside the unshakeable dynasties that seem to, by and large, control Irish politics expose themselves to the online lunacies that even the most thick-skinned can only ignore for so long?

Tomorrow night, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump face each other in another debate in the race for the White House. Trump has demeaned democracy and shamed himself but he is utterly oblivious to that criticism. However, he cannot dismiss the charge that by his dishonest and racist performances he has made it improbable that any young person with the qualities needed to be a decent public representative would consider joining the Republican Party. The gnawing doubts around Hillary Clinton may have the same impact on the Democrats. In Britain, Corbyn’s Labour Party seems at death’s door. The Conservatives are hardly an example of stability or inspiration either, a situation that will be exacerbated as the real consequences of Brexit bite.

In Ireland, any young person, or not so young person, who might have the civic commitment — and courage — needed to join a political party would be forgiven for giving themselves a stern talking to and focussing their efforts elsewhere. A discredited, bumbling and indecisive administration faced by an opposition unfettered by any principle and driven by shameless opportunism is hardly a welcoming ideal.

But then we are all culpable. Next week Finance Minister Michael Noonan will publish his budget. It will be judged on how it impacts on incomes. How it might shape society, how it might enhance public services are very much secondary considerations. Most of us are far more animated about how a few points off this or that tax might improve our bank balance rather than what the budget could do to end the chaos in health or better fund our tottering education system. Unfortunately, it is far easier to give out about our system than it might be to fix it but, as we move closer to generational change in leadership in several parties, it seems obvious and ever more pressing to find a new way of doing politics.