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By REGINALD RENAGI
An informed leader is critical
By Francis Hualupmomi
THE Grand Chief has named his coalition government ministerial
portfolios. It appears tat the political appointment was fairly
and equally distributed.
Almost all parties were satisfied whilst few remain unsatisfied.
However, equality in representation and participation compounded
with meritocracy is the key political phenomena in maximising
good governance and diplomacy in the globalisation era.
Diplomacy
Diplomacy refers to practices and institutions by which nations
conduct their relations with one another.
Diplomacy is the political tool to advance or to achieve a
country’s foreign policy. A State’s national interests requires
effective diplomats; in this case a trained diplomat is equally
qualified.
Diplomacy is a game of professions, of which intelligence is
highly recommended in perusing the State’s interests.
A diplomat should be highly well versed with diplomatic
processes and procedures in the international scene to win the
game.
Moreover, he should be theoretically and practically
knowledgeable and skilful in international issues.
Perhaps effective diplomacy is the key to maximise the impacts
of globalisation.
Thus the appointment of ministerial portfolios is synonymous,
perhaps crucial in this context.
For PNG to benefit more from the globalisation, appointment of
intelligent ministers is pivotal for the long term interest.
Governance
Government makes decisions that define expectations, grant
power, or verify performance. It consists either of a separate
process or of a specific part of management or leadership
processes.
Sometimes people set up a government to administer these
processes and systems.
The World Bank defines governance as the exercise of political
authority and the use of institutional resources to manage
society’s problems and affairs.
An alternate definition sees governance as the use of
institutions, structures of authority and even collaboration to
allocate resources and coordinate or control activity in society
or the economy.
A State’s development success is alluded to governance.
Good governance involves government providing a conductive
environment trough its sound policies for economic growth,
transparency and accountability, and effective and strong
vibrant legal parameters.
Papua New Guinea has had to struggle with governance syndrome
for the last decade with corruption being the immediate social
agenda.
The corrupt culture is rife in both the public and private
sphere thus impeding economic growth.
There are ample frequent practices especially by top bureaucrats
and politicians.
Hence, transparent practice by political leaders, especially
ministers in international and domestic political arena, would
be pivotal.
More so, good governance is essential in maximising benefits
from the impact of globalisation.
Globalisation
According to World System Theory by Wallerstein, globalisation
is the process of going to a more interconnected
world or the process of making world economy dominated
by capitalist models.
More precisely, globalisation refers to increasing global
connectivity, integration and interdependence in the economic,
social, technological, cultural, political and ecological
spheres.
Globalisation is an umbrella term and is understood as a unitary
process, inclusive of many sub-processes (such as enhanced
economic interdependence, increased cultural influence, rapid
advances of information technology, and novel governance and
geopolitical challenges) that are increasingly binding people
and the biosphere more tightly into one global system.
An example of globalisation was the invention of the telephone.
In economics, globalisation is the convergence of prices,
products, wages, rates of interest and profits towards developed
country norms.
Globalisation of the economy depends on the role of human
migration, international trade, movement of capital and
integration of financial markets.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) notes the growing economic
interdependence of countries worldwide through increasing volume
and variety of cross-border transactions, free international
capital flows, and more rapid and widespread diffusion of
technology.
Globalisation itself is a process and therefore requires
maximisation of effective skills and knowledge to fully benefit
from it.
Despite criticism that it has several effects, interestingly is
assumed by most commentators, that it encapsulate increased
initiatives for development, especially for micro-states in the
Pacific including PNG.
Globalisation involves interconnection among nation states to
address socio-economical, political, and security issues,
through sharing of information and free market concept.
Thus, this relationship would greatly depend on professional
diplomats in international context to negotiate and achieve the
best among others.
Economical development is best described in utilising skills and
knowledge by high calibre individuals.
Thus, the appointment of ministers is considerable.
Meritocracy:
Political (ministerial) appointment
Granting of top post is part and parcel of democratic processes.
This is the time when intensive political lobbying occurs.
Perhaps one would argue that is a crucial time for the leader in
making wise and tough decisions to maintain political integrity
and perhaps national interest.
PNG political history has revealed that the formation of
government and appointment of ministerial portfolios is a very
critical moment for prime ministers.
Frank Senge Kolma, in this column last month, provided the
analytical political pretext or more precisely the political
culture of PNG politics.
Despite political unity in the current led coalition government,
it is clearly understood that factions may germinate in the
ministerial appointment.
Democracy is about political equality in representation and
participation that best serves national interest.
Every political leader in any democratic institutions under the
constitutional law has the equal right and opportunity to be
given any packs and privileges of the government.
Further, it is best represented by highly intelligent and
educated Members in the globalisation context.
That is including national ministries that allows for equal
State representation.
It appears that two regional blocs have frequently been
requesting key ministerial portfolios. It must be clearly
understood that a government is neither a regional entity nor a
political party entity.
The citizens of a State, mandated equality through their votes
for equal benefit. This type of syndrome is dangerous for
micro-states like PNG.
Egoism is a political disease and thus should be ignored.
The bottom line, however, is promoting good governance, as it is
the pillar of economic success.
In essence, today’s world is highly globalised and a State needs
Members who are educated and are well versed with changing
socio-economic development and process of globalisation.
The underlying notion is the equality of representation but with
highly educated Members to be internationally competitive in
international relations that would make best and sound strategic
decisions for the best interest of the country.
All Members of Parliament should understand the changing
international scenario.
Today’s politics is camouflaged with real politics,
international diplomacy in enhancing, and strengthening
bilateral or multilateral relations to gain mutual benefit,
hence for the national interest.
A leader should be of high diplomatic calibre in representing
national interest in high international negotiations.
Obviously one should understand that the world is changing and
perhaps top positions should be high of calibre order.
Conclusion
Therefore, it is suggested that in order to benefit from the
impact of globalisation, the Grand Chief should avoid regional
politics and appoint minister based on meritocracy that can be
able to utilise wise decisions in the global era to meet
international and national interest.
Moreover, a standard criterion should be adopted in the future
to appoint ministerial portfolios to avoid political instability
and maintain equality in representation and participation of
politics.
Note: The author is attached with
the Office of Higher Education Research Science and Technology.
 
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