This would be the time to explore the concept of sovereignty in the post-modern world and its interrelationship to problems and issues facing the Third World. Specifically examining the theoretical and practical dimensions of sovereignty in the current era, with its changing dimensions and possible disintegration is a sensitive matter. Third World countries as a nation do not care about so much tyranny being perpetrated upon them; but they pride themselves being resilient, the right virtue at the wrong time. They deserve the political mafia ruling them and leading them to deep dungeons. With this preamble, just the same, if they wish to become a truly sovereign nation, they have to become self-reliant. The immense tide of mega-corruption has to be dealt with effectively and, at the same time, timely justice has to be provided. Yes, this is a tall order but there is no other way out. Some of the third world countries are blessed with immense resources but a way has to be found to share them among all of them keeping basic norms of justice well in view.
Loans and sovereignty just cannot go together. Loans are meant to finance corruption. Basic initial steps to achieve sovereignty require avoiding loans, ruling justice and proper use of development funds. It sounds as a simple 3 three steps plan but it is an uphill task in third world to achieve. The question is: can they stop taking loans to reduce levels of corruption? Beggars cannot claim equal status as that of benefactors. Negotiations are only between equals. The beggar being referred to is the worst type by selling nation’s soul to devils. The latter are relishing the situation. The beggar has agreed to do anything to get alms and not arms. Beggars get “loans” by selling country’s interests. About 92% of loans are lost in corruption; most loans are at 6% real interests making an effective rate of 75%.The Saudis awarded the highest civil award to Prime Minister Narinder Modi on his very first visit there. Modi is no beggar. He did not go there to beg for favors. He went there to negotiate deals in national interests. There were discussions between two sovereign nations and not loan deal arrangements.
Secondly, it is paramount to make sure that laws of the land are uniformly applied for all irrespective of the political or administrative status. Justice is a joke here. The law of the land must be applied in every case of mega-corruption and uniformly for all segments of the society irrespective of the status. Look at the case of Sara Netanyahu, the wife of Israel’s prime minister, who was found guilty of “abusive” and “humiliating” treatment of an employee on Tuesday last week when a former maintenance worker won damages of £24,000, the equivalent of US $34,000 The Israeli police are conducting a separate inquiry into whether she misused public funds to pay for luxuries at a private home. By some third world’s standards, it is not even a case of mega-corruption; but the Israeli justice system is poised to spring into action in the spirit of nipping the evil in the bud.
The prosecutors, more often than not, deliberately weaken cases of mega-corruption to let culprits off the hook. Culprits obtain stay orders and the matter eventually gets hushed up. This gives the rich and powerful the oppoertunities to indulge in mega-corruption. Why is it so difficult to provide justice in such cases to begin with as a confidence building measure by the judiciary and gain respect of the civil society? The presumption of innocence is a principle of crucial importance, as is the privacy of suspects. This equation changes, however, when the suspect in question is a public figure.
The next step is to devolve powers with safeguards to local bodies in letter and spirit. Parliaments are for making laws and for no other purpose. Development is plagued with corruption and nepotism in Third World countries and linked through poor systems. All institutions must function within their mandated constitutional limits. The main function of any parliament is to make laws. They should have nothing to do with development funds. If they are interested in the development of their areas, the honorable course for them is to resign their seats and get themselves elected from the local bodies. The latter should get all powers including policing, basic law and order for their respective areas.
A stake in development should be created for all people in their own areas. Knowing the mind set of Third World politicians, they will make a bee-line for local bodies rather than national and provincial assemblies. Similarly the executive should be made to feel secure free of any influence of other institutions. Meritocracy should be actively pursued. Third World countries as a nation are not short of bright and talented executives. They should be accorded all opportunities to achieve their immense potentials. This should provide space for development at macro level like scientific research, higher education, major development projects and so on.
If these steps are not taken, they would have to accept the servitude of devils to which the corrupt political mafia have sold their souls. They are systematically deprived of their basic rights like health, education, food, and housing and above all, dignity. Third World countries are unable to protect human rights or provide social benefits and economic welfare. Thus they have “negative” rather than “positive” sovereignty. There is too much pessimism here and the whole concept of the “Third World” now needs re-examination.