Economy and politics are two topics that are strongly interconnected. The decisions made by political bodies have an influence on the economy of a nation, and how well the economy is doing is usually seen as a direct reflection of political policies and the success of the government in power. This articles takes a glance at the interconnection of economy and politics.
Economy and politics
Political choices regarding taxation, labour laws, and environmental regulations can significantly impact economic activity and determine the distribution of wealth and resources. Public sentiment and political ideology also play a vital role in shaping economic policies.
Adam Smith was an 18th-century Scottish philosopher. He is considered the father of modern economics. Smith is most famous for his 1776 book, The Wealth of Nations. Smith’s writings were studied by 20th-century philosophers, writers, and economists.
The Journal of Economic Literature classification codes associate political economy with three sub-areas: (1) the role of government and/or class and power relationships in resource allocation for each type of economic system; (2) international political economy.
Former President Mutharika during 2020 fresh presidential election as opposition was poised to win
International political economy (IPE) is the study of how politics shapes the global economy and how the global economy shapes politics. A key focus in IPE is on the distributive consequences of global economic exchange. It has been described as the study of “the political battle between the winners and losers of global economic exchange.”
A central assumption of IPE theory is that international economic phenomena do not exist in any meaningful sense separate from the actors who regulate and control them. Alongside formal economic theories of international economics, trade, and finance, which are widely utilised within the discipline, IPE thus stresses the study of institutions, politics, and power relations in understanding the global economy.
Some factors drive economic growth. There are three main factors that drive economic growth: Accumulation of capital stock. Increases in labor inputs, such as workers or hours worked. Technological advancement.
Capital, Labor, and Productivity are the three primary economic drivers of growth. Strategically, capital is a hard one to manage. Our government runs at a capital deficit of somewhere over $18 trillion dollars. The United Kingdom has about $2.2 trillion in debt.
Three main factors that drive economic growth. Physical and human capital accumulation, technology, and institutions.
We also have Indicators of Economic Growth. In addition to GDP, two of the other most significant measures of economic growth are the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures pricing power and inflation, and the Monthly Unemployment report, including weekly non-farm payrolls.
Finally, There are 5 stages of economic development. Using these ideas, Rostow penned his classic Stages of Economic Growth in 1960, which presented five steps through which all countries must pass to become developed: 1) traditional society, 2) preconditions to take-off, 3) take-off, 4) drive to maturity and 5) age of high mass consumption.
Conclusion
It is therefore imperative that everyone registers now for the coming election in 2025 because whether one likes it or not, a leader must be chosen and will be chosen. The world is brimming with ambitious political leaders, but sadly very few matchups to the traits of good leadership. In fact, many political leaders appear to be severely lacking in some of the most essential qualities of a good leader, such as integrity and accountability. It’s no coincidence that the word “politician” has many negative connotations. But experience tells us that there is only a handful that comes near to the principles of leadership and shows strong indicators of a successful political leader.
Political leaders are vital – they determine the allocation of power and money through governmental policies, establish partnerships with other stakeholders, and make decisions that can have a major effect on a nation’s well-being and its citizens. Political leadership requires a leader to focus on a country’s long-term betterment, above and beyond any short-term personal gains. Strong political leadership requires a mixture of charm and honesty, and the capacity to evaluate a circumstance and make a judgment based on what will be better for the majority.
Opposition leader Chakwera during 2020 fresh presidential election as opposition was likely to win.
Our cultural adage says that no matter how dark the night may appear, a new day with the full light follows.
It is no longer a secret that the once mighty Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has been riddled with leadership and succession quabbles for the past two years.
It appears like dust has begun to settle in the main opposition party.
At the centre of controversy were Kondwani Nankhumwa on one camp and Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika (APM), the current party president on the other camp?.
It is on record that Kondwani Nankhumwa was agitated when APM preferred Dr. Dalitso Kabambe, a renowned economist to be his successor.
Booted out, Nankhumwa and Jeffrey
Unlike Kondwani Nankhumwa who had held many political party positions such as Vice President for the Southern region, Leader of opposition in Parliament and a member of National Governing Council (NGC), Dalitso Kabambe has never held any political position in the party.
Kondwani Nankhumwa therefore felt unfair and undemocratic to pave way to Dr. Dalitso Kabambe as the next torchbearer of the party. Frankly speaking, this sounds logical.
Perhaps the problem lay on the way, Kondwani handled his discontent with APM’s preferred successor.
Furthermore, when APM expressed his interest to be the torchbearer of the party, Kondwani decided to challenge the party president head on by convincing the erstwhile Secretary General, Gresseder Jeffrey to call for an elective party convention.
This was not the first time when Kondwani Nankhumwa openly challenged the party president, APM.
There was a time he conducted a political rally in the Southern region without even informing the party president.
In fact, at one political rally, he used Bingu wa Mutharika’s face on the party cloth instead of the current party’s president as is the norm.
Furthermore, during a televised interview, Kondwani Nankhumwa admitted that it was the Speaker of the National Assembly who had handpicked him to be the Leader of Opposition in Parliament as a ‘precautionary measure’.
The normal procedure was for DPP to officially write to the Speaker of the National Assembly submitting the name of the preferred leader of opposition.
When the party wrote to the Speaker preferring Dr. George Chaponda as the Leader of Opposition, Kondwani rushed to the court for an injunction.
Even when Kondwani was expelled from the party for not attending the DPP internal Disciplinary committee hearing , the court granted him an injunction too.
The truth of the matter is that court injunctions propagated incessant squabbles in DPP.
However, the recent court rulings that endorsed APM’s decision to reshuffle NGC members ushered in a sense of sanity in the party.
Analytically, the recent expulsion and suspension of some DPP gurus owing to their gross indiscipline is welcome because it will deter future potential culprits from undermining the authority of the party president.
Without much ado, what lessons can we learn from the fracas in DPP?
Our lessons are referenced to Robert Greene who published a book titled ‘48 laws of power’.
It is recommended that every politician must read this book although some laws of power need to be applied with caution.
Frist, never outshine the master
Popularity and wealth prevented Kondwani Nankhumwa from appreciating that APM was still his political mentor and DPP party president.
Even though the tenure of office for DPP executive positions expired, the DPP constitution states that the party president remains in office till he hands over the mantle to his successor.
Frankly speaking, it was APM and his elder brother Bingu who had groomed Kondwani from grassroots level politics up to the extent of holding senior positions in the party such second vice president and Director of elections.
Second, conceal your intentions
It is widely believed that politics is a hide and seek game of tricks, distrust and dribbles.
If Kondwani Nankhumwa wanted to take over the party, he would have concealed such intentions by remaining loyal to the party president while organising internal parallel structures in the party.
Bingu wa Mutharika remained loyal to Bakili Muluzi who was promised to be protected from prosecution.But when Bingu finally became the State President, he publicly dumped Muluzi and the United Democratic Front (UDF).
Third, always say less than necessary
A hide and seek game of politics requires patience, composure and responsibility.
Kondwani Nankhumwa and his team were always unnecessarily vocal.
In all his senses how could Kondwani go full throttle in public claiming that they had taken over the party from APM? Yet he knew that the judges and justices who would determine his court case were listening attentively.
Fourth, use selective honesty and generosity to disarm your victim
This is where the game of politics becomes interesting.
Sir Newton Isaac discovered that if you apply a force to a target, you will get an equal and opposite force.
In the same vein of logic, if Kondwani Nankhumwa disguised himself to be honest and generous to the party leadership, it would have been difficult for the party to suspect his diabolical intentions of coup d’état.
*Fifth, keep others in suspended terror: cultivate an air of unpredictability*
During the DPP’s fracas, APM was utterly silent and many people thought that his meekness was a sign of weakness.
However, nobody predicted his move that he would invoke DPP constitution to reshuffle some members of the NGC.
On the other hand, every Nana and Nene predicted every Kondwani’s move.
In fact,his consolation, hope and strength rested on court injunctions.
It did not require a renowned philosopher or logician that when the courts get tired of Kondwani’s babyish groans, that would be his adverse turning point in his political career.
Sixth, know who you are dealing with. Do not offend the wrong person.
It seems like Kondwani Nankhumwa failed to distinguish between APM as a person and APM as a party president.
Did Kondwani Nankhumwa actually know which APM’s capacity he was fighting against?
Seventh, use the surrender tactic: Transform weakness into power
Kondwani Nankhumwa would have been more tactical by evaluating every step he took.
When he discovered that the coup d’état would not be successful, he would have surrendered earlier.
It is widely believed that if you cant fight them, just join them
*Eighth, keep your hands clean. Never do the dirty work yourself.*
Kamuzu Banda and John Tembo were acquitted in the Mwanza murder case simply because there was no evidence that implicated them.
Candidly speaking, there is a high chance that they were the masterminds behind the gruesome murder of the controversial cabinet ministers.
I laughed my lungs out when I watched Kondwani Nankhumwa insinuating, ‘Apa chipani sitinachitenge?’ I just knew that the coup d’état had dismally failed.
Ninth, plan all the way to the way to the end
Organising a coup d’état of a mighty political party DPP requires a good planning strategy.
Relying on the sympathy from the courts is not enough for courts don’t take sides because they are independent arbitrators.
It was therefore, important to include possible contingency plans and what-if scenarios in the coup d’état strategy.
Tenth, strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter
The moment Kondwani Nankhumwa as the leader of the disgruntled DPP camp has been expelled from the party, his followers are likely to scatter.
In fact, this is the time when people will know his own intentions of causing havoc in the party.
Will Kondwani Nankhumwa form a new political party or he will join his political masters?
Conclusion
In conclusion, we pat on the back our own courts for eventually bringing sanity in the opposition party, DPP, because previous court injunctions were just temporary reliefs which were prolonging squabbles in the party.
We also concur with the bold step the DPP Disciplinary Committee took by recommending the suspension and expulsion of the culprits from the party.
This will act as a deterrent to potential offenders that undermining the party leadership tantamounts to mocking the whole party.
It is not true that the DPP party will disintegrate after the expulsion of the culprits.
In fact, it is a good strategy to build and transform the party. May peace and tranquility prevail thereafter.
It is important to appreciate that such disciplinary actions are normal in any political organisation.
For instance, Malawians are aware that the erstwhile opposition party, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) fired Dr. Jessie Kabwira and Prominent lawyer Gustavo Kaliwo before ascending to power.
To the expelled persons, all is not lost. They have a myriad of options to pursue.
They can seek legal relief though it is highly likely that they may lose the case with costs.
They can organise themselves and form a new party and later align themselves with any electoral alliance.
They can also join any political party of their choice or they can quit active politics and concentrate on private businesses.
Chiefs and non-governmental organizations in Machinga express alarm over the increasing incidence of early pregnancies among girls in the district.
This concern was said during a stakeholder meeting at Group Village Chipolonga in traditional authority Mtumbwinda facilitated by the Development Network for Youth Empowerment (DENEYE).
Area development committee representative Lanjesi Masale and women representative Hanna Wethiwa emphasized that a significant number of girls are leaving school due to cultural practices disrupting their education.
Lanjesi urged parents to actively prevent harmful cultural practices in the district to secure the future of their daughters.
“We appeal to stakeholders and the government to assist us in eliminating these harmful practices and raising awareness on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) to prevent early pregnancies,” he said.
He also commended DENEYE for their efforts in sensitizing communities about the importance of family planning methods for girls to pursue their goals.
In an interview, Shalid Ishmael, the executive director of DENEYE, expressed concern about the growing number of adolescents experiencing early pregnancies.
“Through the meeting, we have identified a need for increased awareness on contraception, so we will continue engaging communities and mothers’ groups on this issue,” he explained.
He appealed to other organizations in the country to provide funding, emphasizing that DENEYE is currently operating without any financial support.
In a recent press release, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has expressed deep concern regarding the frequent dismissals of members by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). These actions raise serious questions about the DPP’s commitment to democratic principles, including member consultation, tolerance, and the citizens’ political rights enshrined in Malawi’s constitution. The MCP condemns the undemocratic measures employed by the DPP, emphasizing the need for inclusivity and transparency in decision-making processes.
Undermining Democracy
The MCP’s press release emphasizes that political parties should foster an environment where dissenting opinions are valued, constructive criticism is welcomed, and reconciliation is actively pursued. Sadly, the DPP’s recent actions have set a dangerous precedent, threatening the democratic fabric of Malawian society. By summarily dismissing members without transparent procedures, the DPP not only departs from its founding principles but also endangers the democratic progress that Malawi has made in recent years.
Mutharika’s party DPP accused of lacking democratic values
Championing Democratic Values
The MCP urges the DPP and its leadership to reflect on the principles of democracy that their party supposedly represents. The press release calls upon the DPP to reconsider its actions and join other political parties in adopting a more inclusive and transparent spirit. It emphasizes the shared desire of Malawians for a democratic developmental state that prioritizes the interests and aspirations of all citizens, regardless of their political affiliation.
President Lazarus Chakwera’s Leadership
The MCP’s press release highlights President Lazarus Chakwera’s unwavering commitment to serving all Malawians, uniting them, and fostering prosperity regardless of political differences. President Chakwera’s tireless efforts to uphold democratic values align with the party’s principles as well as the constitutional rights of the citizens. The MCP reiterates its pledge to upholding these democratic values and principles espoused by the nation’s constitution and their party constitution.
Conclusion
The Malawi Congress Party’s press release serves as a stern reminder of the importance of democratic principles within the political landscape of Malawi. By criticizing the Democratic Progressive Party’s undemocratic actions, the MCP not only seeks to raise public awareness but also advocates for a more inclusive and transparent democratic system. The true spirit of democracy lies in respecting the rights and freedoms guaranteed to every Malawian by the country’s constitution. As the MCP asserts, it is crucial for all political parties, including the DPP, to uphold these democratic values for the betterment of Malawi and its citizens.
In an unexpected turn of events, friends and supporters of Kondwani Nankhumwa, the expelled former Presidential Advisor of the Malawi opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), have announced their intention to hold a vigil at Page House, where the party president Peter Mutharika resides.
The move comes as a show of solidarity against Nankhumwa’s recent expulsion from the party.
Since news broke of his removal from the DPP, Nankhumwa’s friends and allies have been vocal in their condemnation of the decision.
Nankhumwa
Many argue that the party’s decision was unjust, and they are determined to make their voices heard.
However, political commentators are warning Nankhumwa to tread carefully on his journey, advising his supporters to steer clear of any acts that may result in ugly scenes and harm his political career.
It is worth noting that there is some disagreement among Nankhumwa’s supporters regarding the vigil at Page House.
Critics argue that it is inappropriate to target the residence of the party president, as Peter Mutharika was not directly responsible for Nankhumwa’s expulsion.
Therefore, they maintain that it would be misguided to direct their protest towards him.
Members from Nankhumwa’s camp have also expressed their disapproval of the planned vigil, suggesting that it lacks sincerity and good faith.
These dissensions highlight the complexity of the situation and the disagreements within Nankhumwa’s support base.
Despite attempts to reach out to Nankhumwa for his comments on the upcoming vigil, these efforts proved futile, as his phone was inaccessible.
The vigil is set to take place in the coming days, and tensions are mounting as both supporters and critics prepare for the event.
It remains to be seen how Nankhumwa’s expulsion from the DPP will continue to unfold and what impact this vigil will have on his political future.
