Philanthropy as a political exchange capital in Maldives

Politicians often involve in exchanges to enhance their power and influence over the people. Often the visionary and skillful politicians calculate the return of their exchanges with their clients or constituents and innovate ways of maximizing their returns. However such exchanges become corrupt practices and often undermines the rights of people and the democratic values. In a society like Maldives where democracy is at the fledgling stage, politicians use political exchange in alarming corrupt manners- often making it detrimental to the democratic values. For instance the basic rights granted under the constitution such as rights to safe drinking water and sewerage also has become a means of political exchange. Several parliamentarians attend ribbon cutting ceremonies of projects for safe drinking water, sewerage or road construction. The naive public were given the impression that this services given to them on their tax money is a big favor, which in turn begs for a return of favor in the form of votes in the next elections.

Philanthropy used by rich and powerful as an altruist duty has become a favorite political exchange capital for Maldivian parliamentarians. The extent of giving and providing to constituents in the name of philanthropy is so engraved within the system people have begun to portray politicians as messiahs or saviors. The image of politicians, especially legislators has completely transformed in to that of the Good Samaritan. The naive people continue to believe the responsibility of a legislator is to provide them financial support for their basic needs including medicals and food. This naivety of people is used to garner public support in return for the philanthropy.

The mass media of Maldives was recently flooded with the news of a well-known charismatic parliamentarian giving medical equipment to the health center of his constituency. He was also praised in the media for giving a financial allowance to all newborns in the constituency and providing welfare support for all his constituents. Another famous parliamentarian provided staple foods to his constituents for the fasting month of Ramadan. These are clearly forms of political exchange capitals provided to gain political returns. This form of political exchange is perfectly legitimized and publicly accepted. Some people even began believing it is their legal right to demand such favors from their representative in parliament. Ironically in a country which follows Islam, where bribes are prohibited - such practices becoming acceptable is alarming. In any functioning democratic society such political exchanges will be considered bribes or corrupt deals. If the issue is deeply analysed in a sociological context, the politician expects vote from his constituents in return for such favors. Any learned human can judge this as abuse of power to influence votes in the upcoming elections. In other words it binds the constituents to an invisible contract, of returning favor in the next election. Hence the politicians use political exchange capital of philanthropy skilfully to buy the votes in the upcoming elections.

Philanthropy as a political exchange capital undermines the basic tenets of democracy. It increases dependency of people and hence impedes their freedom and independence to make proper decisions. It also enslaves and entraps people in a social quagmire. Urgent actions must be taken to stop abuse of democracy by such political exchange of capitals. The dependent, naive and vulnerable people must be made aware that such practices are against the religion as they are bribed to return a political favor. The legislators of the country needs to learn their roles and responsibility embedded within the constitution. For becoming a fully democratic society people must be empowered to become independent of rich and powerful politicians. However in western democracies also political exchange capitals are used in manners detrimental to society. For instance different lobby groups influence legislators to pass bills by funding their political campaigns. Nonetheless a paradigm shift is required to enjoy the people power enshrined in democratic governance.