This is the first installment of a blog series examining the issues that have come to define and challenge the global discourse in 2017: The future of political participation, the rise of inequality and the future of work. Each piece will look at the dynamics at play and identify questions we should ask to consider new ways of thinking and finding solutions.
Does representative democracy still work?
Just the other week we marked the one year anniversary of the 2016 US Presidential election. It was the culmination of divided opinion and political shock in many countries and an indication of changing attitudes. Since then there has been a sense of elation and optimism by some and frustration and uncertainty for others. Whether it’s Brexit, Trump, Lebanon, Catalonia or North Korea – the impact of geopolitics in a highly interconnected world has come to the forefront of the public debate. And it has become a source of fear around the world.
There is no doubt that the world is in transition. The institutions, rules of engagement and social norms that we are accustomed to whether in business and in government are now in a state of constant change. We are ‘living in between times’ – or as the Germans would say „zwischen den Zeiten“. In other words, many of the things that we have come to rely on as a society are both familiar and unrecognizable all at once.
In this time of transition, we have seen the rise of populism and nativism in many countries. This has included the emergence of leaders like Trump, Putin and Erdogan, and the strengthening of right wing political parties in countries like France and Germany. We have also heard promises to “bring manufacturing jobs back” to local shores, revive outdated industries, renege on climate change commitments and stop globalization.
Populism has come to define the political discourse and many have asked whether the checks and balances of representative democracy still work. Whatever one’s political views, reverting to old styles of leadership and policies does not help us prepare for the future.
At a time when most people rightly yearn for authentic leadership, traditional political party processes and political spin leave many of us feeling disconnected and disillusioned. In many countries it can feel to the citizen as if we are in permanent election campaign mode. What is missing is a serious, robust dialogue between those in Government and their citizens, followed by some serious governing and action between elections.
Given today’s current state, how can we find new models of meaningful engagement between citizens and business and policy leaders that bring us to joint problem solving, real collaboration and action at a time where we need it most?
Time for honest leadership and new models engagement
Leadership demands honesty and courage. It also requires painting an aspirational picture of the future without glossing over the details and challenges of how to get there. But many leaders in business and in government seem to focus on only one thing: optimizing the current position for short term gain. In business this expresses itself in efficiency agendas and in Government it can appear as if true governing has become secondary to winning the next election.
Today companies and whole economies grow by improving efficiency and productivity – and by preparing for tomorrow through the fostering of innovation and transparent risk taking in the face of the unknown. We need explicit dual strategies – one for effectively paying attention to today’s business/ business of government and one for building the future.
So what should leaders focus on in these times of change?
- Be connected to what is really going on to act faster. Now more than ever leaders need to make sure the gap is closed between what they think is happening and what is really happening in their organizations, with their constituents and their clients. Time to have the finger truly on the pulse so strategy can be adjusted fast and is grounded in reality.
- It’s all about trust and purpose. Technology might drive fundamental change but the real changes still have to be made by people. Let’s bring trust back into the equation and assume that with the right information and genuine intent people will come up with a way forward and develop innovative solutions
- Let’s bring honesty back – in business and in government. People want authentic leaders who explain things honestly, especially when the news is bad and challenges seem insurmountable. This also means to admit when wrong
- We need to challenge assumptions and have the courage to make potentially radical changes, in business and in government. By the time you have a burning platform it is too late because then you are in crisis management, short term restructuring etc. – and there will be no time left to build the future
There is a way of making the world fairer and future societies function better, even when faced with the scale and speed of change that the technology revolution brings. What is essential is that citizens, business and political leaders work together – honestly listening to diverse views. Not just talking about it endlessly on committees – but really communicating. This will require different behaviors – from political leaders, business leaders and citizens – caring about the whole, not just individual interests and having the courage to do what needs to be done. We need new forums where we jointly look at the inevitable changes coming our way through technology and agree on how to manage their impact on our societies.
What will you do in this time of transition to help create societies that we are proud to be part of and that we want to live in for the years to come?
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The views reflected in this article are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the global EY organization or its member firms.
