Third Force Menace
The idea of the
"third force" in Uganda's body politics is improbable. Such ideas compound
the debate ideological confusion in our politics. The third force idea appeals
as an excuse for laggards or an easy escape route for those who are afraid of
dramatic change to the politics upon which they have derived privileges.
This group is problematic
as it galvanises the lackadaisical elite attitude of hanging-on the fence when
a call for change beckons.
The social and political
history of Uganda is fraught with sensational and yet tragic episodes of polarising
politics. These historical experiences generate and sustain social and
political inequalities that are compounded by a protracted dominance by one group
over the others. The central premise of this argument is that organised and
peaceful transition in leadership of the country offers the most considerable
chance to lessen the burden of social and political inequalities exacted on us
by our tragic history. In the first instance, these dominant groups rose to
power by escalating the polarisation in this society. Polarisation, and not national
unity, became the mobilising tool or ideology of the ruling class.
The culture of mutual
exclusivity in the nation’s polity further ferment a permanent state of
instability that gives relevance to the use of colonial era laws and repressive
instruments. The polarising forces become too compelling to accommodate any new
middle position such as a third force - considered treacherous and essentially
subversive.
A case for FDC and NRM reveals
such a lack of clarity of nationalist mobilizing ideology.
The actual difference
between these Parties arises from the mainstream NRM parting ways with their
original socialist- cum - Marxist ideals that once made the group coherent and
formidable. As adherents of neo-imperialists/neoliberal economic policies of the
Brenton Woods Institution, the NRM is now self serving and imperial in all its
facets.
In making sense of that
development, the FDC party strives to rediscover their original ideological
standpoint, maybe even adopting a neo-Marxist or centre left politics.
The ruling NRM has
increasingly become right wing (similar in policies to the US Republicans or
Conservatives) - embracing radical neo-liberalism with a confusing mix of
Pan-Africanism or whatever hogwash they call “liberation ideology” that uses
colonial modes of oppression and social control. Ironically, with total disregard to Uganda’s
communitarian ideals. This ideological confusion persists across the extremes, and
prominent in the ruling Party through contradictions in what they say (the
rhetoric) and what they do (the practical).
The free market works best
where liberal rights, democracy and individualism thrives. Neoliberalism is not
just an economic policy. It comes as a package including liberal rights, deregulation,
privatization, cost-sharing and strong anti-statist sentiments. Many western
countries have tried this economic theory and realized after the WWI that liberal
markets do not after all eliminate poverty. They then proceeded to establish
welfare state systems and where welfare states are weak, like in the US, strong
direct state intervention in critical section of the economy through subsidies
to farmers and tax relieve to big business take place. Critical social service
such as public education, libraries, transportation, healthcare, social
security is made universal.
Unfortunately, Uganda’s
market economy is infantile, atypical and blindly implemented for purposes of
political survival of the ruling class. The NRM became an imperial agent
striving to under-develop Uganda by staking and destroying the resources of
Africa for their own survival.
The third force formed
out of fear of a mere transition, without fully comprehending the ongoing
frontline of social, economic and political contestation, cannot gain relevance.
The FDC seems to demand
for increased role of the state in mediating essential social services delivery
such as education, health, social security, energy on the basis of good
governance. It offers a far better option than the so-called third force.
END
--
"
No comments:
Post a Comment