28/03/2006 3:14:35 pm
Wanted: A Maximus. In the great film "Gladiator", the dying Emperor wants to make General Maximus the next Emperor. He protests, since he wants no such power. The Emperor then points out that it is precisely the reson why it must be him. Someone who wanted the power would find it hard to reintroduce checks and balances and give power back to the senate - the last wish of the Emperor.

In as different countries as Thailand, Belarus and Ukraine, there have now been dramatic elections involving political leaders who more or less abuse power. The Maximus kind of leaders is extremely uncommon. Most want to have the power, keep it and perhaps secure and strengthen it. Not share it or give more power to others, such as the people.

This is precisely why there must be strong restrictions on political power. Individual rights, constitutions, checks and balances, free media, independent courts, etc. We should not have to hope for good politicians who want less power; the system should guarantee that even the most power-hungry politician meets strict limits to what she or he can do.

Sweden is in several ways another country with such problems. The Social Democrats have been in government for 65 of the last 74 years, use public authorities as propaganda machines, give privileges to trade unions so they campaign for their re-election, etc. On top of this one of the most authoritarian power-politicians in Europe, Mr Persson. A shift of government may be good, but in the end what matters is to have a system that puts stricter limits on politicians.