“You ask these arts students what they can solve and they tell you, ‘for us we only think.’ Think about what?” he asked. "It is unfortunate that many universities continue teaching very useless courses at degree level rendering their graduates jobless after graduation," he added. These were the widely chastised words from Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni as he denounced humanity courses at universities as useless, saying graduates from such departments can hardly solve anything to steer national development. Whilst Museveni’s faith in sciences and technical subjects is understandable, is there any place for the arts and humanities in Africa’s quest to join the ranks of the new emerging economies of this world?
The future definitely looks bleak for the African continent should strategic components of nations continue to be manned by incompetent and under-qualified personnel who cannot solve problems. There is a need for honesty that people with technical backgrounds tend to be problem-solvers, highly logical and broad thinkers who tend to think outside the box as opposed to those with arts backgrounds. But then is problem-solving synonymous with competency? The continent does possess practical problem-solvers who are doers and not cheap-talkers yet they are overshadowed by the ‘educated thinkers’. This is not to suggest that people with arts backgrounds are all mouth with no practical outlook.
However a technical approach is not just a better option but a necessity for African countries to realise their full developmental potential. Strategic sectors of the country should be manned by ‘’experts’’ in the fields of their respective ministries not career politicians. Of course there would be counter arguments that government and governing are social constructs that serve social functions and the technical fields may be inevitably related to government but they are not inherently related to government. But the question still remains, why is the continent still stagnant even with its rich history, abundant resources, extraordinary manpower? The lack or side-lining of problem-solvers to make way for some self-appointed elites and their off-spring makes for a strong argument.
The ability to understand a situation and deal with it correctly does not have anything to do with popularity but with knowledge of the subject period. Museveni brings to the forefront an important argument that people with technical backgrounds have the ability to rise above career and party politics and stay focused on problem-solving. They have more of a reputational advantage both in terms of knowledge and technical expertise. That of course can be up for debate but the problem-solving argument still holds water. Those with arts backgrounds tend to focus more on the thinking and talking rather than the doing. But is that such a bad thing? The thing with people with technical backgrounds is that they can practically claim wiser economic and technical stewardship, greater ideological commitment to economic principles and deeper connections with transnational financial networks.
The economy is the driving power of any nation and academic and practical awareness of economics is a prerequisite for those intending to be in positions of economic influence. Economics is a discipline above others for its all encompassing nature and the fact that it is intricately linked to the political function of the state. One would be forgiven for feeling uncomfortable with someone who has not studied economics to make heavy economic decisions that will greatly impact the country for decades to come. As such voters need to have a greater awareness of the education and background of the politicians and take that into account in the political arguments and standpoints. But again one can also argue that is why there are advisors.
A seamless fusion of the polity and expert components in any national set-up will enhance economic progress. An Economist will have that eye to see exactly the required fiscal adjustments but deciding how and where to cut spending or taxes will require precise political sense. A political functionary who can make good moral decisions with the public’s interest whilst also having an awareness and ability to comprehend different expert opinions and paradigms is crucial to the country’s economic revival.
The country’s leadership might need to be more conversant and appreciative enough to consult with technocrats to help make good decisions and at the same time be well-versed in the humanities and social sciences to consider those aspects of society in governance. It is important that leadership is driven by ethos and a genuine desire to do things right and to do the right thing while considering long-term solutions. This means removing from power those politicians who only value self-benefit over the public good.
Is it possible to exclude facts from political decision-making process? People yearn for clever, practical problem-solvers and in some countries where people with technical backgrounds have been thrust in the forefront of strategic sectors there has been a marked rise in the standard of living of a people from a third world to a first world in the case of Singapore and China.
Of China’s Politburo Standing Committee eight out of the nine members are engineers and also the current Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has degrees in Economics and Law, a healthy academic combination for governance of function. The Chinese government has a lot of engineers, scientists, economists and mathematicians in the political fold especially at Politburo level instead of useless arty politicians who do more talking than function effectively. It is easy to chide Museveni’s comments but he does bring to the forefront an interesting take on the African situation.