The problems with modern societies are many and they hinder economic development of most societies. Wars, reduction in the production of goods and services, inflation and disparities in income in emerging economies, lack of economic planning, neglect of social aspects of the economy, unending reforms, currency manipulations, etc. All these hinder economic growth.
Old economic theories as adumbrated by Adam Smith, Richardo and Owen still dominate Western economic thought, with market forces pundit and dot com gurus speculations influencing international trade.
The Marxist worldview which examined the process of capitalist production, the conversion of surplus-value into profit, and of the rate of surplus-value into the rate of profit, the conversion of profit into profit, interest bearing profit, have not been assailed, by Western economic analysts.
The overall consideration in economic pursuit is how the accumulated profit from commerce can be distributed to a handful of shareholders, who inevitably grow rich, go into politics, in order to consolidate their class interests.
The merit of sociocracy is that the economy is designed to produce dividends, which go into the welfare of the citizens. This can be achieved through economic planning.
In industrial societies, the economy is hinged upon the
Interplay of market forces, demand and supply, liquidity flow, currency manipulations and control, by actors in the various cartels, Chambers of Commerce, security and exchange, the voracious banks, insurance agencies and right –wing governments.
A sociocratic state must build strong foreign reserves; maintain its infrastructure, aid active economic expansion, full employment, steady price level, equitable distribution of income, and a stable exchange rate.
In democracies, in their economics, “other things are never equal”. The imprecise nature of economic laws creates room for speculative venturing.
In African democracies, some pursue wrong priorities and white elephant projects to the detriment of sociocratic, socio-economic programmes which do not result in social justice and egalitarianism.
In the political field, democracy seems to limit its regulatory role to the conduct of elections. The demos play their part by voting for candidates, but have little or no real say in how the ruling party conducts the affairs of state.
Where there is a free press, the people may have their say, but the Government must its way. This is democracy’s limitation.
Criticism of poor governance is bottled up, but emotive outbursts are recorded, when the government falls as we are witnessing in Nigeria.
In a sociocratic state, the emphasis is on economic planning, which takes adequate care of the welfare of the socio-economic requirements of all citizens. The citizens must participate very actively in the processes of policy formulation and implementation.
State security must embody social security, food security, the security of citizens from armed and pen-robbers, housing and the health of citizens. We must clearly define our structural principles of social security, like social insurance, a working pension scheme; determine economic and social background of social security. Old age, disablement and survivor security, boost workers existence in their retirement.
The absences of these sociocratic measures make our so-called democracy meaningless. The duties of a sociocratic state involve the respect for the economic, social and cultural rights of individuals as well as their civil and political rights.
While there is the phenomenon of consumer surplus in some democracies, there is always consumer demand in emerging market states.
In the so-called democracies, political and civil rights are more respected than economic, social and cultural rights. In a sociocratic state, economic, social and cultural of rights of citizens are more respected. There lies the merit of sociocracy!
African states should embrace sociocracy.
Writers of state papers should distinguish between political manifestoes and campaign speeches, which are hortatory and inaugural speeches which are firm declarations of future state policy benchmarks.
In inaugural speeches, it is important to assure the comity of nations, that we shall respect all existing international treaties and conventions, both bilateral and multilateral and the United Nations Charter and the Statute of the International Court of Justice.
We should focus our diplomatic concerns on AU and ECOWAS, on the free movement of our people. We must assist in stemming the African exodus to Europe, pretending that it is not our concern. It is our shame!
The non-challant attitude of African leaders to the African deaths in the Mediterranean is a sad commentary on the psychology of human intelligence of our leaders, who are vicariously liable for their deaths.
By stealing national wealth meant for the people’s welfare the alalus homos watch helplessly as their people drown in the Mediterranean Sea.
As we begin our new journey to Zion, we must show firmness because “justitia neminem excusat”. We are watching and waiting for the new consciousness to be instilled in our citizens that honesty is the best policy. Ali Imam 101 “Whoever holds firmly to God will be shown a road that is straight”.
In his inaugural speech, President Muhammadu Buhari said, “As far as the constitution allows me I will try to ensure that there is responsible and accountable governance at all levels of governance in the country. For I will not have kept my trust with the Nigerian people if I allow others abuse theirs under my watch.”
Nigeria is in the crucible of KARMA and REBIRTH and in the maelstrom of political colloquy.
