The Liberal Party was injected with youth, charm and a serum containing what many would say is a much needed dose of political vigor in its leadership. Justin Trudeau got over 80 per cent of votes on Sunday April 15 ushering in a new age of politics for the Grits, a party strong in Canadian political history.
The usual place of third where they normally dangle within Canadian politics will now be a point from which they will propel, or so they hope. Justin Trudeauwill enter the House of Commons on Monday calling the shots for the Liberal Party and taking his campaign's philosophy of modern politics which they so admired in Tony Blair and Barack Obama.
Well, there is a long road ahead for the son of what many critics say is Canada's most arrogant but charismatic prime ministers in recent history. His father Pierre Trudeau started "Trudeaumania" in 1968 and then coined the term "Reason before passion," but I'm pretty sure you know the history. After all, I'm just a youngster in all of this but the political scene and its history does entice me. Sometimes it reminds me of some type of blood sport that's marketed to influence a new idea of what is entertainment, when it's just two guys beating the hell out of each other. But in the case of politics the guy who loses are normally the people or particular group; but enough of me ranting.
Much like his father Justin Trudeau echoes "Trudeaumania" and carries the same characteristics; the charm, swagger and energy of a man that can sway a people, a nation to specific ideals. But my question is; how will he move the Grit team to be a true competitor in the political arena? And if he miraculously brings the Liberal Party out of obscurity, will the apple fall far from the tree when it comes to Western Canada. Come on people, you remember, yes, a time when his father somewhat ignored this side of Canuck land. "Western Alienation," I think it was called, yes, but don't think I'm a pessimist but I am just a skeptic of politics, a Sherlock Holmes if you will and in the world of politics there's always the case of "the game is afoot." Kudos to the fine actors of the Cornerstone Theatre for inspiring that insert.
But much like the phrase suggests, politics, I believe is a constant battle or race for power and more often than not, that power leads to one being egocentric. Don't get me wrong there are those throughout history that have not fallen prey to power's hold on pride, the likes of Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Theodore Roosevelt all displayed humility in the way they led.
But I believe there is nothing new under the sun and there are several reasons why people choose to rule. Former prime minister of Jamaica the late Michael Manley said it best in his book "The Politics of Change."
"There have been three approaches to politics, and therefore three approaches to the use of power. There are men, perhaps the majority who see power to be acquired for its own sake. Then there are those who see power as something to be used for purposes for minor adjustments in the society. Finally, there are idealists who seek to arrange fundamental change."
Manley went on further to clarify each approach to power stating that those who seek power for its own sake usually do so for egotistical reasons and it is in that group that history's greatest tyrants can be found. While with the second group who seeks power to simply adjust society Manley describes as the conservatives, who reacts to pressure or as he puts it in his book "Conscious of points of pressure within society." This leader makes changes according to society's discontent but is in acceptance of the status quo. Thirdly, there are the idealists, which for most part is self explanatory but they believe in complete and utter change.
I must clarify that this column isn't an attack on Justin Trudeau but more of a question that has come into my mind as rise takes the reins. What will he bring to the table, which category does he fall in, because as we advance a society, the approaches to power that Michael Manley so vividly described in his book will remain the same.
But I believe that there are hybrids found which is needed within any set of ideologies found in a progressive society. Balance is key and in a profound conversation I had with Garth Herman, who shared his belief of the "we" and "I," I was reminded of that leaders even if it's not their intent often get drawn into selfishness and egotistic ideals; and thus power overtakes the mind. So as Justin Trudeau takes the helm of a party that was once a powerhouse and makes strides, which I hope, he does, positive ones, mind you. I hope he is a hybrid, and uses humility as his guide and never lose touch with people and know that, according to one of my favorite comic book quotes, "With great power come great responsibility."
