7-Signs of “Good” Nation-Power

When “good” power vacates, “bad power” seeps into the vacuum. What are the keys that make a powerful nation, “good”.

Given the nature of events in the world at this time maybe it is time to pull back from specifics and look at what POWER should look like, rather than focusing on some of these awful individual situations currently around us.

1. Open dialogue

Free and open opportunity to allow scholars and citizens to debate. To have the self-confidence as a Nation to encourage dissenting views.

We don’t have to agree, but we all have a voice.

Countries like China and Russia consider themselves ‘great powers’ yet they stifle and control open, honest, rigorous political debate or dissenting opinions.

But equally, Western so-called ‘bastions of democracy, such as the USA and the UK, are becoming equally difficult when it comes to voicing opposing or dissenting views.

This seriously undermines good power. The “agree with me or be damned” approach undermines true democracy.

I want to hear less from politicians and celebrities, and more from professionals who work in the subject matter at hand — uvebruce

It is really worth noting that the Supreme Court publishes the dissenting view, just as readily as it does the agreed majority Ruling.

2. Leadership Transparency

To facilitate that leadership is held to account, openly, and honestly.

Allow the citizen majority to take ownership of its own destiny. Brexit would be an example. Nobody in the Government expected the referendum result, or they would not have held the referendum.

How many other situations have the Government missed? No-Fly zone over Ukraine perhaps? Greater sanctions? Fewer sanctions?

Who knows. But I believe there are many instances of the Government being too close to the tree to see the forest, or wrapped up in party policy.

Our politicians today are skilled at NOT answering the questions. They see this as wise — it is not, in the vacuum of honest open response, “bad power” thrives.

3. Experimentation

The ability to tear up the hymn sheet and charter a new course. Germany after the Great War experimented with new warfare tactics culminating in Blitzkrieg — but at a time when they had not one tank or airplane.

We have to be prepared to allow change. Perhaps the Constitution of the USA needs a re-write. Some people reading this are frightened at the very thought of that idea, appalled even. The Constitution is about collective negotiation, change, it allows for a fluid document, — not a stuck-in-the-mud mentality.

The Founding Fathers of the USA were wise enough to know that things change, or perhaps they had witnessed it enough in their rear-view mirrors to know a thing or two.

Alternative social order will develop. Must develop.

Perhaps the U.K. National Health Service (NHS) is an example of this —what it set out to do in its infancy will always be brilliant, but perhaps it needs expansion and further experimentation now.

I believe a two-tier system is now needed.

But it is such a hot political potato that the U.K. political leadership is afraid to tamper with its structure.

But it is currently NOT working effectively, and becoming a huge drain on the Public Purse due to modern needs. For one, people die much older now. Nobody foresaw the level of aging, or breast reductions or mental health, as a medical necessity at NHS inception.

4. Political Will

The ability to vary policy that is democratically agreed, but barely. The closer we get to a 50/50 split in governments, the harder it becomes to implement change.

The American filibuster is now abused by all parties. And that is not in the interests of citizens, it only assists a party-power-grab. Politicians need to be held accountable and PENALISED for creating unnecessary stalemates.

Corporate Shareholders would never accept a stalemate in the boardroom. It affects the bottom line. Citizens shouldn’t accept it in government.

Coalition Governments are seldom constructive. But they are becoming the norm in many European countries. This makes it difficult for a political party to implement policy.

In order to lead, you have to have a clear leader. Or change the process entirely.

This situation will intensify as people begin to cherry-pick what they want from either side of the political spectrum thus diluting party policy.

Voter decisions used to be much more simple. Security; Education and Economy — that was basically it. But now we have Planet; Nationalism; Globalism; Green; Racism; Sexism; Socialism and a whole lot more to navigate. So a Republican voter is now wanting Security and reduced Taxation, but also want a social welfare program and the right to abort, — how do you write that policy.

4. Succession

The ability to lead, but equally to step away and be prepared to hand the baton over is a sure sign of Great Power.

It is the fundamental pillar of true democracy.

The entrenchment of a political leader or dynasty creates stagnation and decline. It is the fundamental issue with a dictatorship which is currently in some form or another the hallmark of Russia; China; Vietnam; Cuba; Syria; Iran; many Middle Eastern and African countries etc.

It is instantly recognisable by the decay of living standards and human rights.

It can often be subtle dictatorial democracy — One look at Zimbabwe highlights this under Mugabe and perhaps is evident now in South Africa which is ‘controlled’ by the ANC as a party, not a government.

Within the ANC they have “democracy” via the election of its party leadership, but externally, it nationally controls the outcome of ‘free and fair’ country elections through the use of State coffers to prop up its governance.

The ANC party ‘buys’ votes as a political party using State funds. A type of political fraud masquerading as democracy. It is Apartheid in another disguise.

5. Vulnerability

Citizens want leaders to be vulnerable. Empathetic. To react to humanitarian needs.

This is a fairly new deviation of the Citizenship requirement. Lead through the eyes of the people. Truth. Stop for the one, not just the many.

Lead using influence, not power.

Moral integrity is expected. Which seems obvious, but really isn’t. Even Prince Andrew and Boris have fallen despite NOT being proven guilty (yet) … they have nevertheless lost moral position, which has had a knock-on effect on their “power status”.

This morality is the new normal.

Soft power. With specific boundaries. Covid has forever changed the landscape of leadership and vulnerability. To admit we don’t have all the answers. To rely on ‘the science’, not just aggression and power.

To reveal that we are all in the same boat and while we have a compass, we do not have an exact route.

The bravado of Trump; Boris and many others who refused to initially wear masks — these used to be admired leadership traits, not anymore.

Compare this to New Zealand’s leadership — Ardern used data to plot the course of her nation, as did Merkel. They showed leadership vulnerability and were well received for it.

A turning point for vulnerability in leadership has arrived.

6. Communication

Powerful leadership is now the ability to communicate directly with people. Not soap-box-style “talking down” — but engaging and human empathy. WE have replaced YOU.

A daily dose of covid news from leaders, not just spokespeople. A connection.

This will remain. Perhaps not daily — but far more often the people want to touch their leader, but also to hold THEM directly responsible. A double-edged sword for weaker leaders and bad power models.

And not just in crisis. The wall between THE leader and citizens is forever broken now.

What started out in sports has now reached into politics. After a sports event, we want to hear from our coach or key players, our team — how; why; when …we expect answers. We want to touch and be touched.

And now with our politicians as well, but many are not comfortable yet — it requires too much detail and honesty.

A power shift to the people. Vulnerability.

7. Harnessing Technology

Trump did a great many things badly, but the concept (not the content), of direct communication with voters, is what keeps him popular today.

It’s not what he said so much as his light touch on people. They felt included. He included the marginalised. And they loved him for it.

We tweet with friends and family. And now the President tweets us … he’s family, our friend. In our living rooms.

We protect ‘family’ no matter what. In well-adjusted families there are very few things that put you outside the family walls — murder; pedophilia; incest etc — otherwise your remain protected.

This is why Trump is protected by his faithful … they are in fact his ‘family’. That bond cannot be easily broken.

I believe the next thing will be referendum leadership. On big issues, the “good-power” leadership will begin to go to the public far more frequently. Via online technology.

In so many instances the Government of the day has not read the room.

Priti Patel and the refugee situation with Ukraine is an excellent example. The Nation is fed-up with her inability to read the situation and make the refugee process simple. The right thing.

Technology will change that. Politicians are going to fall like flies as a direct result of technology. It is a good thing, for it will hold them fully accountable to the voters, or they fade into the distance.

Influence and collaboration have replaced alpha leaders. Women will flourish in politics now. It’s a good thing.

A true first.