The prerogative of politics

Ever since antiquity, rulers - usually born into their function, or believed to be predestined by a divine scheme - exercised their power with fairly little interest to the masses over which they ruled, up to the extent that life and death was decided within a second. Perhaps the Hellenistic conception of the first forms of democracy were in their lifetime exceptional, until the Enlightenment not much has changed. 

Especially the Enlightenment philosophies, where suppression of the common man was being questioned - and again; especially the divine justification for suppression - many fled the absolutist European nations to settle in a new world, which in the end culminated in the creation of the United States of America. This deed, to sever political ties from the old world, would finally inspire Europe as well - to begin with the French Revolution, as you know.

The concept of politics changed dramatically; it was the people themselves, who gave the mandate to their representative to exercise power in their name. History has shown us, that not all attempts and systems worked out quite the way they were intended, but the foundation of modern politics was laid. Somewhat after the carnage of two horrifying world wars perhaps most understood where the boundaries of power should lie - at least in some western countries.

After the fall of the Iron Curtain, the role model of the west became the idol to the newly freed nations, who have been suppressed for another odd 40 years under a rigid totalitarian system. Especially that experience together with a role model next door, one would expect they wouldn't fall into the same trap. 

Independence and a new economic system brought new responsibilities as well as experience. The framework of a NATO membership followed by entering the EU was a great step with especially high political symbolism. 

Nevertheless, something didn't go as smooth as expected; Though communist parties either forbidden or marginalized, practically disappeared from the political arena, yet politics itself differed slightly from the 1989 period. Except for some cosmetic changes, where elections were free (I dare to challenge, whether they were fair) politician, even those who embrace democratic, 'christian', conservative, liberal whichever western sounding values, would do exactly the same mistakes democratic leaders should not do; dodgy business because of absolute power. Including bribes, cronyism and the like. 

The level of acceptance - or being powerless to do something against these ongoing trends - makes the players complacent. Slovak politics is proving, despite a reformist approach and definitively many shades better than the former government, that except a handful of individuals with genuine good will, people based on a lack of awareness of accountability repeat over and over again the same absolutist slash totalitarian streaks, leading to a considerable mismanagement. 

The very few who protest are stigmatized, whereas the majority seems to be clueless. Journalism - as a perfect tool to raise this missing awareness - plays almost an unprofessional and marginal role, not in the least because of laws to curb them. And thus, despite the aforementioned memberships, Slovakia is appearing rudderless in a pool of fascist nationalism, corruption, xenophobia, an inefficient justice system up and including corrupt judges.

Politics is not a prerogative, politics is a responsibility. Else society will hardly move forward as it should. One can point perhaps at Berlusconi, but that's not the point and not a valid argument - else we would start justifying anything which is wrong. One could likewise point at countries with a more solid democratic tradition; the UK, Netherlands, Scandinavian countries, etc. Hungarian instigated double-nationalities, language acts, Vatican treaties; those are futile non-issues, which should be of a far lesser priority and definitively not being used as another excuse for media (or politicians themselves) shouting of another cabinet crisis. Politics has no vision, no leadership, no character, poor experience. 

After the elections, many replacements in government functions were indeed necessary.  Slovak corruption was back to dramatic levels. Unfortunately, but understandably, they remain to be political nominations, and in the end effect, in some cases they appear not always to be a success; a meritocratic system still does not fully exist. An opposition candidate - as long as (s)he has a good record, could equally qualify for a key position. In the meantime, far more vigilance from all of us is needed and foremost, more ethical objectives with a proper understanding, what politics is about. In the end; we all will in some way be affected. 

Thus the only prerogative politics should have is: To be professional and accountable.