Naive Politics

Many politicians inside and outside of the government have retired in the past month and they left office due to an unexpected failing.

It really does seem that politicians suffer from two major instances of naivety. On the one hand, these people seem to completely misunderstand why a career in politics is a good idea. Coming through college these people become empowered by the open environment and energised by an apparent will to create change. The assumption is that these patterns extend to a wider social level and that a politician can enter government and reform the entire system.

The other example of naivety comes from politicians that are already well acclimatised to the system. These people have been in the politics game for a long time and realise that new blood coming in is foolish to think that they can affect great change. However, the show naivety in other ways. These politicians believe that they are above the laws that they have sought to uphold. The system has obstructed all attempts to change so the rules are circumvented. While this may be done with good intentions it circumvents the entire basis of our democratic system,

Perhaps there is an even great example of naive politics in these areas. The belief going in to every election that we the people can actually affect life and policy is time and again proven to be false. It really does seem that it does not matter who is driving us forward, as the route has already been defined. It really is a case where the blind are leading the blind and we have given a mandate to be lead in this way.

While politicians may be naive, perhaps we are far more naive for actually believing in them.

-The English Student

Collective Responsibility

With the end of the Lisbon Treaty referendum arriving yesterday, we must look ahead to the future of our country.

Many prominent Lisbon supporters were quick to voice their disappointment at the rejection of this treaty on Friday. Dermot Ahern highlighted his own concerns that Europe was now facing "uncharted waters". However, while our political future is unknown, our democratic system is certainly secure.

This security does not come from any specific referendum issue and is certainly not a result of the rejection of Lisbon. Instead, it comes from the democratic process we have in place. While we may not agree with the outcome of a vote, it is essential that we stand by our system and recognise that the voice of the electorate must be followed. It is a testament to this country that all political figures have already recognised and stressed the importance of this collective responsibility.

However, it is a shame that this praise cannot be extended to the European Union in general. Many prominent E.U. supporters have begun to vilify the Irish as anti-European and anti-reform. These are the same leaders who decided that Lisbon can only be accepted if ratified in all member states. Consequently, it is the duty of European leaders to recognise that collective responsibility must be practiced on an international level, not just a domestic one.

We have collectively rejected this treaty. We must now collectively decide on a way forward.

-The English Student

U.S. Presidential Nominations

After clinching the Republican nomination, John McCain commended his running mates for an honourable and fair process. Unfortunately for him, the "honour" of this contest may be the undoing of his party this year.

Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama have fought a long and protracted competition, moving from coast to coast in a bid to clinch the Democratic nomination for the upcoming U.S. presidential election. At times, this battle has been anything but honourable, with both sides trading blows on a personal level.

The global attention garnered from these often petty attacks has created a worrying situation for any detractor of the Democratic Party. By firmly grasping the majority of media coverage, Obama and Clinton have become the main focal points of this election. The seemingly underhanded techniques of each campaign have ensured that this nomination has basically become the actual presidential election.

But this is not the only advantage gained from the high level of awareness the Democratic candidates have reaped. By drawing attention to their campaigns, the policies and ideals that Obama and Clinton stand for have become accountable and intensely debated. This creates a more transparent version of the political competition and in doing so, the Democrats are assured to emerge with a candidate that has well developed and defensible opinions.

In what is essentially a broken democratic system, it is something of a relief to find at least some accountability.

-The English Student