Development, Politics, People, and Progress: The Symphony of Chaos.

Development, Politics, People, and Progress: The Symphony of Chaos.

Development is the gleaming goal that every country aspires to achieve. In reality, development is much like trying to bake a cake with two chefs in the kitchen: one called “Politics” and the other, “People.” Now, depending on the day, both are either slinging ingredients with wild abandon or quietly sabotaging each other’s efforts.

The paradox is that in this delightful chaos, we are supposed to believe that development is a smooth, inevitable process. Spoiler alert: it’s not. But hey, who doesn’t love a bit of drama, especially when it’s wrapped in government policies and public opinion?

Politics: The Driver Who Rarely Knows the Way

Let’s start with politics—the grand puppeteer of national progress. Politicians love to call themselves the architects of a nation’s future, but let’s face it, many of them can’t even read the blueprint. With campaign promises as shiny as new coins (but about as lasting as cheap counterfeit electronics), they’ll tell you that the road to prosperity is straight and narrow.

What they don’t mention, however, is the occasional pothole—or in some cases, a gaping sinkhole—that they conveniently ignore as they steer the country’s development bus toward the unknown.

Youth in Politics: Why it's Important and Why You Should Get Involved | YIP  Institute
Politics and development are sometimes contrasting realities. Photo credit | Youth In Policy

It’s a curious phenomenon. Election seasons are like infomercials, with politicians selling the magic solution to all of the country’s woes: poverty, corruption, joblessness, you name it. Just elect me, they say, and watch how I singlehandedly turn this place into a first-world wonderland.

Then, post-election, reality hits. It is usually in the form of broken promises and political amnesia. It’s almost as if the real election was for the “most creative liar.”

Let’s not forget how policies can sometimes feel like they were brainstormed by a committee of toddlers. Take, for example, those moments when a government decides the best way to stimulate economic growth is to build another statue, or perhaps launch an elaborate festival.

Obviously, nothing says “economic stability” like blowing the national budget on pyrotechnics. Or, how about the classic: raising taxes on the already broke citizens while billionaires seem to get the “Buy One Tax Break, Get Another Free” deal?

People: The Architects of Their Confusion

Let’s hold on for a moment! Before we roast the politicians too much (as fun as that is), we need to talk about the people. Yes, the masses, the ones who vote for these fine individuals, often repeating the same mistake in an impressive display of hope over experience. After all, democracy is the right to choose your own disaster, and boy, we do choose creatively.

The average citizen, in theory, wants development. They want better schools, hospitals, roads, and perhaps a politician who knows what day it is.

But here’s the catch: we’re impatient. We want overnight transformation, the type that only exists in fairy tales or fast-food orders. And when politicians don’t deliver on their impossible promises within the first 100 days, we’re out in the streets, shaking fists at the same system we perpetuated.

Unfortunately, the contradictions don’t stop there. While the people demand jobs, cleaner environments, and functional infrastructure, they’re often the ones littering the streets and dodging taxes like it’s an Olympic sport.

In development, people are the architects of their confusion. 350+ Group Pictures | Download Free Images & Stock Photos on Unsplash
In development, people are the architects of their confusion. Photo credit | Unsplash

We’re all for progress until it demands personal sacrifice. Everyone wants a better country, but not everyone wants to put in the work for it. It’s the political version of skipping leg day.

And then there’s that special kind of self-sabotage: social media activism. We live in an age where tweeting angrily about corruption from your couch is apparently a powerful form of protest. Who knew that hashtagging “FixTheCountry” was more effective than, you know, actually engaging with policy changes?

The Dance of Dysfunction: Where We Go from Here with Development

In this comedy of errors, one might ask: how does any country develop at all – after all? It’s a miracle, really, that despite the constant tug-of-war between bungling political leaders and often apathetic or misguided citizens, countries still manage to grow. Roads still get built (eventually), and schools somehow open their doors. It’s proof that human civilization is not just resilient, it’s downright stubborn.

Perhaps development is less about flawless leadership or perfect citizenry and more about surviving the chaos long enough for something good to happen. It’s like trying to make a beautiful symphony out of an orchestra that’s both drunk and blindfolded.

Somehow, against all odds, a few harmonious notes emerge. Sometimes so beautiful, other times fairly on the minimum. And that, my friends, is progress.

So, as we watch our countries stumble toward development with all the grace of a toddler learning to walk, let’s not lose hope. After all, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and judging by current political trends, it probably had its fair share of scandals, tax hikes, and “influential citizens” tweeting nonsense too.

That is our hope for tomorrow. A hope that development, which seems so elusive sometimes, will come to us softly, maybe. Just like love.

Geoffrey Ndege

Geoffrey Ndege

Geoffrey Ndege is the Editor and topical contributor for the Daily Focus. He writes in the areas of Science, Manufacturing, Technology, Innovation, Governance, Management and International Emerging Issues. For featuring, promotions or support, reach out to us at info@dailyfocus.co.ke
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