CommentaryPolitics

SKERRIT v. LINTON: A Compare and Contrast Analysis of Dominican Political Leadership

Honesty, integrity and selflessness are the basic attributes of a good political leader. These qualities can be mapped through careful and responsible analysis of political leadership, when the inquiry is premised on the merits and understanding of politics and how formal political organizations are led or managed.

Since parties are private entities which look after the needs of their members, it stands to reason that the leader with the qualities which aligns closest to the people’s needs – honesty, integrity and selflessness – would best represent the people. But ideals do not necessarily hold in electoral politics or in life in general. Parties aim to win and most times the better party and/or leader do not win. One must not, however, mix-up the two – quality of leadership and winning – although there is an argument to be made for why quality of leadership and winning should or could be merged. The fact is, for one to lead s/he must first win and as such the ability to win is just as important as leadership acumen – but the two are not the same although they do complement each other.

The simple litmus test of a good leader is to observe how s/he manages transition from party leader to leader of government. A good leader would embrace all the people, including the opposition members, exercising honest integrity, humility and selflessness, which include transparent accountability in their every undertaking.

Flamboyance, charisma, eloquence, style, whit, tact, amity, showmanship (showpersonship), and knowledge/education and spontaneity are learned traits which leaders may or may not readily possess. Integrity, honor, and selflessness cannot be learnt. Some leaders are naturally disposed with certain gifts, one way or the other, and in the case of Skerrit and Linton, we may allocate points for such qualities, but those points do not add up to leadership qualification, and they are not easily measured.

Remember also that leadership acumen determines people’s representation, because when it is all said and done, the people are generally concerned with the sustenance of their own livelihood and that of their loved ones. The people would naturally entrust the stewardship of their affairs in the hands of an honest and selfless leader of integrity. One may also need to include the art of consensus seeking, team building, and group dynamics in the mix of an effective party political leader, especially in a democratic system.

This article is copyright © 2019 DOM767

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Alexander 'Pawol' Bruno

Alex is a trained and experienced Media-Communications Specialist. He has spent almost two decades on media in the Caribbean from his Island home, Dominica, The Nature Island of the World. Alex is now based in Florida U.S.A, where he has set up a business outlet "One Caribbean Culture" to focus on issues with relations to Caribbean peoples and how Caribbean cultures interface with others.

6 Comments

  1. What I think would have added another dimension is adding the founding political leaders in the mix of this article. How their present-day successors’ measure to those great personalities who help shape Dominica from its infancy (getting its independence to how it is today).

  2. OKAY!!! So are there only three political leaders in Dominica? Is there such a political party called The Dominica Freedom Party (DFP). Does it have a leader? YES it does. It is Economist, Kent Vital. Did you think he was not worthy to be included in your analysis or this simply a UWP article disguised as an analysis look at DLP and UWP leadership profiles and strategies?

    1. HAHAHA – Freedom is Dead. When was the last time you heard anything? if Mamo was there, then maybe you had a chance at a few seats. But with the lack of Leadership in DFP. It’s impossible to keep the main alive, muchless win a seat.

  3. Pawol, really great Article – this type of discussion and analysis is missing in today’s journalism circles. It’s really in-depth and I think unbias in its final anlysis.

    1. I am sorry that’s not journalism. The article is too long. Filled with desperate nuances and rhetoric. Its really a pathetic attempt to boost the image of the UWP leader. I expected better from Alex – he paints this picture of being fair/balanced and walking the divide – but in reality, he is just another pen piece for a failed UWP.

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