Bureaucracy Must Not Resist Reform

These days, books on state leadership written in an autobiographical mode by political strategists, thinkers and experienced politicians are readily available in Kathmandu bookstores. Some of the books are rather very informal, subjective, while others look didactic, grounded on theoretical precepts and normative prescriptions. No books are written by former Nepali leaders or prime ministers reflecting on their lessons and experiences precisely in terms of what works and does not work, which could be treated as references for prospective decisions. 

However, there are a few books authored by experienced leaders that contain empirical cum practical lessons relevant to politicians aspiring to contest elections and win to govern the country. One such book that political leadership set to govern the country should read carefully and attentively is the one authored by three-time British prime minister Tony Blair, who gave a new lease of life to the declining destiny of the 

Labour Party following Margaret Thatcher’s exit.

The nuggets of wise and practical lessons distilled in Tony Blair’s book titled "On Leadership" are worth taking note of and minding. 

Political leadership

It is a kind of user-friendly manual for political leadership, informed and enriched by the experiences of a leader whose political acumen and ability to win the popular mandate are known worldwide. Tony Blair wrote this book based on his lived and learnt experiences as prime minister. In fact, Tony Blair, according to a reviewer of the book, learnt the precepts of governing the hard way by leading a country like Great Britain for ten years. In that time, he came to understand that there are certain key characteristics of successful government that he wished he had known about when he started.       

Several critical issues exist in the realm of the economy of Nepal. The problems of unemployment, mal-governance, and government apathy faced by the people are some of the major issues awaiting prompt action.  This time, popular expectations have been very high in the country. There is no substitute for effective performance and delivery. It has exerted immense pressure upon the newly elected political leadership to tackle the issues without any procrastination. The introductory chapter of Tony Blair’s book is relevant and should definitely be useful to political leaders and Prime Minister Balendra  Shah, senior ministers like Dr. Swornim Wagle, who have formed the new post-poll government. 

In the introductory chapter titled “Be the leader with the Plan", Tony Blair explains that the word government is inextricably wedded to planning and delivering. It is derived from the Greek "gubernator," which means to pilot a ship of the state with clear direction and meticulous planning. To steer the course of the government, a leader needs to have a well-thought-out plan, priorities, and a roadmap. A plan is indeed not a collection of desirable objectives or highfalutin visions. A plan is a definite and legitimate route map setting a clear action plan for governing the state. It should set out the destinations, priorities, process, and outcomes, all combined. 

The plan should contain not only what and how, but also why, to ensure that goals are specific, measurable, and attainable within a given time frame. According to Tony Blair, “winning power is meaningless unless it is followed immediately by a disciplined, purposeful governing plan. “ Leadership, in Blair’s view, is not about rhetoric or symbolism, but about clarity of direction, execution and delivery. For the new prime minister, Blair’s advice is highly relevant, especially in a context of public frustration, generational change, and above all, high expectations for delivery. 

A leader must not “discover” their agenda after assuming office. The plan must exist before victory in the polls. Governments, according to Blair, fail not because of a lack of ideas, but because of diffused priorities and unplanned, scattered promises. Leadership means deciding, not endlessly balancing competing interests. Blair argues that democratic legitimacy comes from making decisions and implementing them effectively, not postponing them. Public cynicism is high in Nepal because promises made by leaders to the people rarely translate into lived change. 

According to Blair, governments love announcements, but citizens are interested in results, and care delivery and outcomes. If government ministers and leaders like to see that popular expectations for delivery and performance are met, they should shift political communication from slogans and hollow promises to the contents of delivery. Tony Blair advises that bureaucrats, irrespective of their levels, should be evaluated based on the delivery and outcomes they produce, not the tenure of their service. In the case of Nepal, reforming bureaucracy and tying their job to performance is very important. 

Politicisation 

Frequent politicisation of appointments has weakened state capacity and demoralised civil servants. Bureaucracies not only in Nepal but also everywhere have common characteristics, as they regard themselves as permanent and political leader as temporary. Bureaucrats know from experience, according to Blair, that risk is rarely rewarded and caution even more rarely punished. So they are basically inclined to advise against action of a transformative nature and create a mood of hesitation in the minds of leaders. 

A leader’s greatest risk is surrounding themselves with reform-fatigued bureaucrats and pliant advisors. In case of need, it is therefore necessary to bring in technocrats and professionals, especially in finance, infrastructure, energy, public administration, or core areas of national priority, from outside the ranks of bureaucracy. Leadership is the courage to decide, the discipline to plan, and the stamina to deliver. 

(The author is presently associated with Policy Research Institute (PRI) as a senior research fellow.  rijalmukti@gmail.com)