LIBERTOCRACY

LIBERTOCRACY IS IT

Libertocracy, a new concept in socio-political lexicon, represents a concrete initiative and tangible evidence to make representative government live up to its billing.
It is a conscious effort at bridging the gap between the theoretical postulation of democracy and its practice.

Derived from the word “Liberty” with the affix ‘Cracy”, Libertocracy means the freedom to participate in government on the basis of one’s profession or legitimate occupation. It is the state of breaking the barrier of exclusivity in government via statutory involvement of professionals in decision making.

Since every decision or instrument of governance has direct or indirect implications on one or more professions in a country, Libertocracy believes that democratic government will become truly representative if its composition is based on the legitimate occupations in a country.

Representation without cognizance to need areas of the people devalues democracy, impairs its essence and derails its wheels.
 For not identifying with core areas of need of the people at its composition, representative government loses its worth in two ways. First, it misleads government into reckoning with space or number as opposed to legitimate occupations which are the hallmarks of the people’s needs. By implication therefore, governments inadvertently mismanage resources, embark often on failed decisions and ultimately leave a wide gap between promises and performance.
 
On the other end, the people are deprived not only of the benefits of their resources but also the ground upon which a government of the people should be assessed.

In clear terms, when the pivot upon which decisions are made is skewed, faulty, or misplaced, their outcome cannot procure satisfaction. Rather, such decisions could serve wrong purposes or create more political and non-political problems.
 
In its resolute commitment to solving socio-political difficulties portended by modern democracy, Libertocracy avers unreservedly that each member of the society should belong to the assembly of his or her profession or legitimate occupation.

Every nation is divided into two groups tied together by one string. Producers and consumers of socio-economic values (goods and services) make up every nation on earth. Political party system, government or law does not bond people together or reconcile their positioning in such a natural and unique manner as does industry, profession or legitimate occupation. While producers of one good or service consumes another, consumers of one good or service produce another. 

It goes without saying that core activities of any nation daily revolve round the circuit of industry or legitimate occupations. To neglect this vital hub in constituting a legitimate, resourceful, balanced and people-oriented government is surely to take-off the spine of a vertebrate mammal.

Libertocracy provides for comprehensive representation and composite participation of citizens in government. It leaves no one out, harmonizes all shades of interest in a nation and bestows a platform for rich, technically sound and fluid decision making process.

In Libertocracy for example, there is provision for each distinctive area of need like Health, Education, Land and Housing, Agriculture, Security, Engineering, Information, Sports, Communication, Environment, Justice, Works, Aviation, Transport, Solid Mineral, Petroleum, Power Supply, Commerce etcetera.
 
The Assembly of Health for instance, would comprise of representatives from the beats of occupation in the sector such as medical doctors, pharmacists, nurses, manufacturers and dealers in hospital equipment, laboratory technologists, radiographers, para-medical personnel, health administrators etcetera. One or two lines of the professions within health, depending on the population size, could occupy a platform in the assembly.

In much the same manner, the unemployed, under this arrangement, is represented in a segment of the House of Labour where also the retirees, physically challenged and the “special people” category are grouped.

A General Assembly to make law for a region (a geo-political zone), would be made up of a specific number of representatives from each House of profession in the region or state. (Detail in the book: Libertocracy- Vision of the New Nigeria). 


MORE BENEFITS OF LIBERTOCRACY

In addition to inherent advantages in Libertocracy, it is capable of eliminating corruption in governments.

First, this system of government takes away money politics by removing huge financial outlay usually associated with electioneering candidature. Candidates need no longer to embark on nation-wide or elaborate campaign for votes as coverage area is now limited to industry or field of endeavour.

Secondly, practitioners of a profession usually know themselves so well in terms of competence, ability and capability. By implication therefore, the striving for votes, acrimony, bad blood and hooliganism associated with political party based candidature would be absent or be significantly curtailed. This is so for certain reasons. 

Industries, small or large scale, are better organized, disciplined and useful than political parties. Industries exist to meet particular or specific need(s) of a society but political parties are self-centred and not prompted by any need of a nation. The goal of political party is selfish- to win election and then seize power to take decisions on what the members know little or nothing about. 

Professions are easily measurable in impact and relevance to its immediate, secondary or global environment. It is not so with the party system, in fact, it brews more conflicts on the global stage than any other factor.

Legitimate occupations are many and diverse and naturally absorb people to interact in a stream of mutually interdependent relationship. It breeds understanding, cooperation and sense of oneness among people in and across countries.
Sense of accomplishment and fulfillment is realizable in professions with tangible results thus enhancing self esteem and ingenuity.

 Libertocracy eliminates political mis-alignment of professionals. It gives room for a professional to represent his or her area of competence and capability at the highest level of decisions concerning the field. A round peg in a round hole guarantees effectiveness and efficiency as opposed to political party system that promotes jack of all trade, master of none. Membership of the party is accorded highest consideration above professional competence.  Indeed, Libertocracy is liberty to us for many more reasons.

 It unites all tribes and races without stress.

It removes the high cost associated with electioneering candidature.

It eliminates ideological polarization of society and fosters oneness of purpose and mutual interdependence of professions.

It inculcates professionals into the mainstream of decision making process, thereby foreclosing the era of sectarian interest, political maneuverings and uninformed decisions.

It replaces political party system and its shortcomings.

Are you genuinely concerned about the huge cost of prosecuting electioneering candidature in your country?

Are you fed up with deception in governance?