Privatisation of Political Power

The privatisation of political power renders the democratic process more vulnerable. In my piece in The Times of Malta (16.X.2017), I argue that, in the wake of the financial crisis, we need to return back to the debate of 'big ideas' rather than retreat from it:

"Many political groups rally against supra-national organisations out of a genuine fear of a loss of sovereignty. This is, at times, justifiable. Nonetheless, political organisations can and have the capacity to reform whereas commercial interests are democratically unaccountable and run in the interest of a few individuals.

It is a matter of concern when commercial interests take on a disproportionate role in the exercise of governance. The need for short-term economic growth sidelines long-term concerns about sustainability and the common good. When governments fail to differentiate between the wider need of the citizen and the narrow commercial interests of very few dominant corporations, sovereignty is eroded. Sectoral interests may not limit themselves to lobbying; they might attempt to write and dictate the agenda.

This attitude impedes politicians from speaking freely, hampers dialogue between social partners and indirectly transfers legislative functions to anonymous, unaccountable boardrooms – often in faraway commercial centres."

The full article can be read by clicking here.