The lure of politics

published 1 June 2007

Everybody knows Muhammad Yunus as the president of Bangladesh’s Grameen Bank. He pioneered micro-finance among poor women, usually from the villages who would not otherwise have access to credit via traditional banking norms. (Much has been written about this scheme; its intricacies are better explained by the wealth of material available with just a click of the search button. I do not intend to dwell about that now.)

In fact, this “banker to the poor” was given the Nobel Peace Prize last November for his contributions to the fight against poverty and to the empowerment of women.

Early this year, however, Yunus hinted at seriously considering entering politics by officially launching the party Nagarik Shakti (citizen’s power).

“There is no way I can stay away from politics any longer. I am determined... and it does not matter who says what about me,” he told the Bangladeshi press.

His platform appears to be that corruption should be eradicated from everywhere and that there should be some changes in electoral laws disqualifying the corrupt people from contesting the election.

But when he was present last week at the World Bank—Africa Partnership Forum held in Berlin, Yunus made no mention of his political ambitions. He was there to hold a series of meetings with representatives of developed countries on the one hand and African leaders on the other.

Apparently, he had his hands full exporting his know-how to African nations, hoping that his formula would work.

The press conference held at the end of the meetings was uneventful. In fact, its highlight was when a reporter accused Yunus of being inaccessible to the press (for ambush interviews I guess) and staying either in his limousine or his posh hotel room. Good naturedly, Yunus apologized and said he was just really tied up with his meetings, but that everyone who had a question should feel free to send him an e-mail, to which he would respond as quickly as possible.

Nobody asked anything about his political plans. Meters away from the microphone, however, some Pakistanis (one with a smirk on his face) shook their heads and said Yunus was just like another guy who was using his immense popularity with the masses to build success in politics.

“They are all the same,” the one with the smirk said.

In other Bangladeshi newspapers, Yunus indeed had said that this was high time to start politics from a new angle, and that he was mentally ready to join politics “if the people and civil society want.”

“The people will decide at the right time,” the national icon added, implying confidence in his impending political success.

***

This compulsion to make a career shift in favor of politics appears to be universal.

We should know. We have Ed Panlilio, Loren Legarda, Vilma Santos, Manny Pacquiao, Richard Gomez, winners and losers both, dozens of “specialists” from various fields.

Like Yunus, they say they have the best of intentions. No one begrudges them these.

Their no. 1 weapon is their popularity, synonymous to that hideous term that is not even in the dictionary, winnability, and, in some cases, expertise and competence. But are these enough to assure the people they will do as well and as effectively in public service?

Some argue that they might. After all, in politics, as in war and love, all stand a fair chance. Since it is said that the voice of the people is the voice of God, an overwhelming majority vote may be taken to mean pre-destination, divine intervention, etc. etc…

Some think otherwise. They believe that people best serve the world sticking to doing what they do best. After all, no one has the monopoly of good intentions and the capability to serve.

Our recent polls seemed to have echoed Yunus: Indeed, the people did decide. Among others, they rejected Pacquiao and Gomez. They took a chance with Panlilio. And due to creditable performance in the past, maybe, they made victors out of Legarda and Santos.

Politics beckons. Wildly.

The idea of being able to make a difference is just too delicious to pass up. It is even more palatable to those with genuinely good intentions, their confidence boosted by their successes in their previous fields.

Everything is rosy until proclamation day. Then the real grind starts, and they are faced with numerous management and moral decisions they must make every day. The real challenge is to remain persons in spite of being politicians.

The test is whether the good intentions have remained and have not been replaced by self-serving, self-glorifying interests.