By DR DANIEL MVULA SHIMUNZA“POPULIST Politics” or “Populism,” is the type of politics that claims to represent the opinions and wishes of ordinary people. We seek popularity, not authentic leaders. We follow the people’s wishes, over and above true visionary leadership that may lead people against their perceived mediocrity.African politics, and Zambia, must depart from populist politics in the 21st Century, for ideological economic politics. Populism, insecurity, and arrogance, go together in autocracy.What is popular, is not always right. Popularity, is not always authentic and credible, but may be deceptive. Our elections, focus more on who is the popular candidate, even if they have no credible vision. It is “chimwela chimwela politics.”We vote wrongly, and regret later from time to time. Ideological politics, are missing, for populist politics of power, not the economy. We have reaped the whirlwind of mediocrity, over time.The Asian Tigers today, are more far advanced than the African Lions, as counterparts. […]
POPULIST POLITICS
