Napoleon is always right

Animal Farm, a novel authored by George Orwell, which is considered one of the bestsellers of all time, contains several truths and knowledge that are very fundamental in the understanding of human behavior in human institutions. In fact, Time Magazine chose the book as one of the 100 best English-language novels (1923 to 2005). In this book, there are two interesting characters: Napoleon and Boxer, whose behaviors can be likened to the behaviors of persons in the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which in my view are not helping the cause of the country. Anyone who has read this novel, would discover the cunning and disingenuous way through which Napoleon, a despot, chased out Snowball-intelligent and smart and succeeded in imposing his whims on the other animals on the farm. The surprising development in the animal kingdom was that among the pigs who were considered the learned and informed, none of them, with the exception of Snowball opposed Napoleon, who forced himself on the animals as their leader: the President of the animals. For me, the most interesting character was Boxer - the most hardworking animal; according to him: “Napoleon is always right.” I don’t fault Boxer so much, and here is why: he could neither read nor write. He depended on the other animals for insight and understanding about any information that was put across by the pigs, who were the erudite. What happened on Manor farm is the same thing that has been going on in the (P) NDC over the years. To members of the NDC, one of the major political parties in the country, former President Rawlings is always right. In fact, since Rawlings assumed power through the back door, through his metamorphoses to become the first president under the fourth republican constitution, till his retirement, I have never heard any member of the NDC openly disagreeing with him anytime he goes wayward. To these individuals, whatever Rawlings does or says is always right. When he compared President Kufour to Attaa Ayi, they said he was right; When he claimed without evidence that he knows those who were behind the serial killings of women in the country before the run-up to the 2000 elections, they said he was right; When he accused the current President- Atta Mills of “lacking the revolutionary spirit”, even those who are thought to know better, said he was right. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear these people saying he is right after he has given them a slap “Aba!” When is this janus-faced and sycophancy going to end? These are the Boxers in the NDC world. I tell you, they don’t love the man; they love to keep their jobs and positions and be seen in his good books. And I have always held the view that these people, who as a result of reasons best known to them, and as such think that he is always right, are those who have contributed to the ridicule and insults that are consistently thrown at him. They have not helped the man at all. In fact, for my money, instead of people blaming Rawlings for his misguided outbursts, we should advice our brothers and sisters in the NDC to be men; they are not men enough. They are only seen as men when it comes to issues concerning President Kufour, but behave as cowards when President Rawlings gaffes.

Unlike Boxer, who was uneducated, and thus could be understood and forgiven, these people, who always hop from radio stations to radio stations to try desperately to defend the indefensible are lettered. Their behaviors, when it comes to some of President Rawlings’ unfortunate pronouncements are contrary to their intellectual acumen. Or is it intellectual dishonesty? We receive education to enable us reform others and not to deform them. As long as these people, who surround President Rawlings behave as ostriches, pretending not to see and address the inconsistencies in his personality, the more harm they are doing to him. Help the man; enough of the hypocrisy and sycophancy. President Rawlings will never turn over a new leaf, and people will never cease tearing his reputation apart, as long as members in his own group fail to positively influence his behavior. No matter what people like Kweku Baako Jr and others say about the former President, because they are perceived as anti-Rawlings, will never have any effect on the attitude and behavior of the man. Here is why: According to Social Psychologists, people don’t put premium on criticisms from groups or individuals which differ from theirs. This happens because of the stereotype they have formed about these groups. It means that when people who are perceived as avowed enemies of President Rawlings criticize him, even though their views might be credible, the effect will not be as it were originating from people who identify themselves with him. So, in order to help President Rawlings to alter his sometimes weird behaviors, what needs be done? These are my suggestions to the rank and file of the National Democratic Congress. I mean those in the party who really love him and esteem his reputation, both domestically and internationally.

One of the basic and fundamental principles of Psychology- operant or instrumental conditioning teaches us about the alteration of behavior. This psychological principle states that in order to strengthen a behavior, it should be positively reinforced, and to weaken it, it should be negatively reinforced. This means that as long as people who are around President Rawlings continue to defend him, when it doesn’t make sense, he is positively reinforced, and the behavior will persist. To help the man, therefore means that they either distant themselves from those of his ugly pronouncements or constructively criticize them (negative reinforcement). If they are able to do this, they would be able to help the man regain the status that befits a statesman. Alhaji Baturi would have helped Rawlings a great deal if he had not descended on Kwesi Pratt for suggesting that the former President should act responsibly. Also, Alban Bagbin, the majority leader didn’t help matters when he did indicate that President Rawlings should come out with more of such criticisms of the President. For him not to see anything wrong with former President Rawlings’ assertion that President Mills “lacks the revolutionary spirit” was very unfortunate. Why can these people criticize anybody, including the sitting President, but chicken out when it comes to Rawlings? Strange, isn’t it?

Secondly, the members of the NDC should do away with pluralistic ignorance- when we erroneously believe that others have different attitude than ourselves. This means that there are a lot of guys in the party who secretly and privately condemn and frown upon the behavior of the former President, but cannot do so publicly. The reason is that they think that there are others in the party who might not share in their views, and thus reproach them or chase them out of the party. But if you align yourself with a social group or political party, and are not free to speak your mind about a personality, why do you waste your precious time there? It doesn’t make sense, does it? For the National Democratic Congress to be a formidable political party, and not a personality party, the members have to be bold to exercise their constitutional right of freedom of speech without fear or favor. They should not only go to town when it is about President Kufour, and play dumb when it is about President Rawlings. In winding up, I would plead that we endeavor to respect authority irrespective of our political coloring. This does not however mean that, we should be cowards and shy away from pointing out their bad examples. It behooves us all to positively shape their behaviors by positively criticizing their untoward attitudes and behaviors. Instead of members of the NDC always jumping to the defense of former President Rawlings, when it doesn’t make sense, especially when he juxtaposed a sitting President to Atta Ayi – a criminal, mugger, hoodlum, they should understand that they are making him a laughing stock, not only domestically, but also globally. We love people, when we are honest to them, and not dishonest. All the sycophantic members in the NDC, who always dance to the music of the former President, should bury their heads in shame; they have not helped him at all. They should learn from members of the other parties, who in most cases put their leaders in line anytime they are out of line. Napoleon was not always right because he could never always have been right.

God bless Ghana!!

Source: Kingsley Nyarko, PhD, Educational Consultant, IAF- Munich (kingpong73@yahoo.com)