South Sudan: Creating the future we want
6 min read
By Tito Tong, Juba, South Sudan
Thursday, 21 July 2022 (PW) — The standard definition of political instability is the propensity of a government to collapse either because of conflicts or rampant competition between various political parties. Also, the occurrence of a government change increases the likelihood of subsequent changes. Political instability tends to be persistent. Economic growth and political stability are deeply interconnected. On the other hand, the uncertainty associated with an unstable political environment may reduce investment and the pace of economic development.
Furthermore, poor economic performance may lead to government collapse and political unrest. However, political stability can be achieved through oppression or through having a political party in a place that does not have to compete. In these cases, political stability is a double-edged sword. While the peaceful environment that political stability may offer is a desideratum, it could easily become a breeding ground for cronyism with impunity. Such is the dilemma that many countries with a fragile political order must face.
Political stability is by no means the norm in human history. Democratic regimes, like all political regimes, are fragile. Irrespective of political regimes, if a country does not need to worry about conflicts and radical changes in regimes, the people can concentrate on working, saving, and investing. The recent empirical literature on corruption has identified a long list of variables that correlate significantly with corruption. Among the factors found to reduce corruption are decade long tradition of democracy and political stability. In today’s world, however, there are many countries that combine one of these two robust determinants of corruption with the opposite of the other: politically stable autocracies.
Some see political stability as a condition that not only precludes any form of change but also demoralizes the public. Innovation and ingenuity take a backseat. Many seek change in all sectors of life politics, business, and culture to have a brighter future through better opportunities. Of course, change is always risky. Yet it is necessary. Political stability can take the form of complacency and stagnation that does not allow competition. The principles of competition do not only apply to business. Competition can be applied in everything political systems, education, business, innovation, and even arts. Political stability, in this case, refers to the lack of competition for the governing elite. The ‘politically stable’ system enforces stringent barriers to personal freedoms. Similarly, other freedoms such as freedom of the press, freedom of religion and political dissent are also truncated. This breeds abuse of power and corruption.
While it is true that some African states that have been able to achieve high growth rates are stable, several relatively low-performing African states also have remarkably stable political systems. When we talk about political stability in the context of growth, leaving aside resource-driven bubbles, I mean a specific kind of stability the rule of law, strong institutions rather than powerful individuals, an efficient bureaucracy, low corruption, and an investment enabling business climate. Indeed, what I really mean is that stable governance is crucial for growth. This admittedly academic distinction is an important one to recognize. Governance goes well beyond just politics.
When political stability comes with having one party or a coalition of parties in office for a long time, it may eventually be detrimental. The economy may do well in terms of attracting foreign direct investment because stability means a predictable political environment. However, other aspects of society might suffer because of complacency, lack of competition, and opacity. The economy eventually suffers because of these. Consequently, stable governments do not necessarily lead to higher economic growth.
South Sudan: Creating the future we want
As the saying goes, diversity is the spice of life. The future is diverse and uncertain. To define the future as the time that will come after the present or the events that will happen, a common adage says that the future belongs to those who prepare for it today. It is unpredictable.
Young people are the future because they are the potential energy of this nation. The future for us means success or achievement waiting to be fulfilled. The future for me as a young man is the time for the realization of my potential. I have dreamt and set goals for myself. With the morning’s melodious sounds of the birds and the waving of the leaves of the tree, I wake up convinced that the future ahead of me will materialize if I work hard.
Therefore, I set out for my daily assignment with conviction and hope. This is because “to accomplish great things, we must dream as well as act.” The wealth and pride of a nation are in its youth. The future of any nation lies in the hands of its youth. It is once said that age is foolish and forgetful when it underestimates its youth‛.
The dreams and quality of the potential of young people determine the future of this nation. Therefore, if this nation wants to ensure a bright future, it must first strengthen and empower its youth because young people are the reservoir and powerhouse of infinite energy. In a nutshell, they are the future of any nation.
The aim of life is self-development, to realize one’s nature perfectly. That is what each of us is a hero for. Every young person is a hero. Young people constitute most of the population of this country. In South Sudan, young people make up about 34% of the total population. Harnessing our energy potential in the right direction can be used to uplift this nation to greater heights. Our versatility and ability to ‘go the extra mile’ can prove very helpful for this country South Sudan.
The most efficient way of harnessing our energy, imaginations, and potential as young people is to empower us with quality education because we are the nation’s initiative. Without quality education, young people will remain in a deep slumber of complacency. If their energy potential is not tapped in the right direction, they can become very destructive and dangerous to society.
In different states of South Sudan, where young people are denied access to quality education, the crime rate and an increase in violence are prevalent. When violence persists over time, young people begin to lose the sense of judgment between good and bad. This, however, is a major obstacle affecting our creativity.
That notwithstanding, young people can share the positives of their future for national peace by sharing their culture of great invention. “The culture of sharing will lead to a culture of learning, which in turn will lead to a culture of peace.” This invention became embedded in the culture of the nation and spread to other states of South Sudan.
This sharing has led to a culture of togetherness. Once said, “The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success, but the significance and then even the steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning‛.
In conclusion, all the knowledge we acquire as young people during our formative years will be helpful in solving the problems of our generation. It is high time young people shun violence and accept peace and prudence to be assured of a brighter and better future.
The author, Tito Tong John, holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi, Kenya, and is presently pursuing a Master of Business Administration in the specialization of Human Resources at the same academic institution. You can reach him through his email: tongkhamisa446@gmail.com; phone: +211920908051, +211912785339; WhatsApp or Skype: tong.khamisa.
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