Political Alliances: Challenges and Dilemmas

Odds & Ends

By Pawan Kumar

In the tumultuous landscape of Mauritian politics, recent events have thrown the Labour Party-MMM-PMSD alliance into a mini-crisis. The allocation of electoral tickets among the three parties has sparked discontent, particularly within the ranks of Xavier Duval’s PMSD. As the parties grapple with internal strife, external pressures from the ruling MSM alliance have added fuel to the fire.

The crux of the issue lies in the distribution of electoral tickets – the currency of power in any democracy. The PMSD feels slighted, receiving a mere eight tickets compared to the Labour Party’s dominant 35 and the MMM’s 17. This perceived imbalance has ignited internal dissent within the PMSD, creating fertile ground for the machinations of the ruling MSM party and leading to widespread rumours suggesting that financiers affiliated with the MSM are trying to persuade members of the PMSD to leave the alliance. A tempting offer of 12 tickets and the promise of the Deputy Prime Minister position in a future MSM-PMSD government has been dangled before them.

Amidst this political manoeuvring, Xavier Duval faces a daunting dilemma. His dissatisfaction with the current alliance allocation clashes with the prospect of joining forces with the MSM-led alliance. Duval’s past resignation from an MSM-led government over democratic principles further complicates matters. How can he justify a potential alliance shift to his electorate, given his previous stance against the MSM? Will his electorate swallow such a turnabout?

Furthermore, the question of electoral prospects looms large. Would joining forces with the MSM-led alliance increase the chances of electoral success? Or does the Labour Party-MMM-PMSD alliance hold greater promise? The stakes are high, and the decision weighs heavily on Duval and his party.

As the parties grapple with these challenges, the spectre of early elections looms large. Any departure from the alliance could prompt the Prime Minister to seize the opportunity and call for elections sooner than anticipated. The political landscape is fraught with uncertainty, and every move is scrutinized for its potential impact.

Amidst the chaos, one thing remains clear: forming a feasible and lasting alliance is no easy task. Beyond mere agreement on a common government programme, issues of ticket allocation, high-level appointments, and ideological alignment must be handled delicately. All parties must be satisfied that they have received a fair deal, lest internal discord threaten the stability of the alliance.

In the coming days, as political negotiations unfold and decisions are made, the future of Mauritian politics hangs in the balance. The choices made now will shape the course of the nation for years to come, and the stakes could not be higher.

*  *  *

Why Politics bring out the Worst in Us

Tap into any social media platform, turn on the television or cue up a podcast, and it is easy to find examples of hypocrisy or bad behaviour in political discourse

Politics has long been known as a realm where civility often takes a back seat to conflict, where moral high ground becomes a slippery slope, and where the line between right and wrong blurs into shades of gray. Recent research from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln sheds light on why this may be the case, uncovering a troubling trend of moral flexibility and ethical compromise within the political arena.

The study, conducted by political scientists Kyle Hull, Kevin Smith, and Clarisse Warren, surveyed over 2,400 adults to explore the relationship between personal morals and political behaviour. What they found was both revealing and disconcerting: people are more willing to bend their morals and engage in unethical behaviour when it comes to politics, driven primarily by hostility toward opposing groups.

“It’s as if politics has a transformative effect on our moral compass,” explains Hull, a visiting assistant professor in political science. “When individuals enter the political realm, they become more willing to justify behaviours and judgments that they would find unacceptable in their personal lives.”

This shift in moral judgment was evident across various demographics, regardless of age or ideological orientation. The survey compared responses to non-political and political moral behaviour scales, revealing a notable discrepancy in the standards applied to personal versus political conduct. Even minor changes in wording, such as substituting “person” with “politician,” were enough to elicit more lenient moral assessments.

Perhaps most troubling is the finding that individuals are more forgiving of moral transgressions committed by politicians they favour, akin to the leniency granted to a friend. This bias in moral judgment underscores the deeply entrenched tribalism that characterizes modern politics, where loyalty to one’s party or ideology often trumps ethical considerations.

“In today’s polarized political landscape, we see the harmful consequences of outrage politics,” observes Hull. “Internalized animosity toward the opposing party fuels a willingness to compromise one’s moral principles and tolerate behaviour that would otherwise be deemed unacceptable.”

Indeed, the study paints a sobering picture of the corrosive effects of political tribalism on moral integrity. As Smith, the Olson Professor of Political Science, notes, “Politics seems to make bastards of us all.” The polarization and demonization of opposing groups perpetuated by politicians and the media only serve to exacerbate this phenomenon, creating a vicious cycle of moral degradation.

The implications of these findings are profound, pointing to a pressing need for greater introspection and accountability within the political sphere. If politics is indeed a breeding ground for moral compromise, then it falls upon individuals and institutions alike to resist the allure of tribalism and uphold the principles of integrity and ethical conduct.

As we deal with today’s challenging political environment, it is incumbent upon us to remain vigilant against the erosion of our moral compass. Only by confronting the darker impulses that politics can evoke and reaffirming our commitment to ethical leadership and civic responsibility can we hope to stem the tide of moral decay and reclaim the integrity of our democratic institutions.

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 5 April 2024