13/07/2025
The Myopia of Political Leadership
1. Thinking in Campaign Cycles, Not Generational Cycles
Our leaders obsess over “what next” because the moment society stabilizes, their leverage evaporates. Without chaos or crises, campaign slogans fall flat, and so do their chances at re-election—or worse, their ability to inflate budgets for personal gain.
2. The "Hunger for Corruption" Logic
A fully functioning, healthy Africa isn’t a threat—it’s a disappearance of the gravy train.
They ask: What justifies high budgets, enlarged ministries, or foreign donor dependencies? What story will placate our base when problems are solved?
3. Fear Over Vision
Instead of asking “What happens when all schools are functional, health care is free, infrastructure is solid?”, they wonder “If all problems are solved, what will we run on?”
🔑 What Needs to Change
Demand Vision, Not Crisis
We must insist our leaders articulate a future beyond problems: How do we sustain happiness? What’s the next level of Africa’s civilization?
Incentivize Stability
Link political reward to lasting achievements, not perpetual emergencies. Reward those who dismantle their own power structures in exchange for systemic progress.
Public Accountability for Future Plans
Treat campaign promises as contracts. If problems disappear, leaders must pivot confidently to long-term advancement—careers shouldn’t hinge on crises.
🎯 The Global Thinking Paradox
Politicians who “think global” often mean “donor agenda” or “foreign endorsement.” Yet if Africa truly solves its own problems, the rest of the world has no choice but to take notice. That’s our real power: proving we don’t need to sell despair to stay relevant—but rather, sell success.
🌍 Final Thought
Africa’s leaders are shackled by short-term hunger—to feed themselves until the next election. What we need is visionaries who ask:
“What’s next after development?”
“How do we build happiness beyond GDP?”
“When our problems are solved, which frontiers will we pioneer?”
Fighting the trap starts by refusing to live in it. Demand they stop asking “What next campaign?” and start planning “What next future?”
