Effects of Political Dynasties

Briefly, political dynasties create more negative effects rather than positive ones

Dynastic politicians have a significant advantage from the start of their political career They have a statistically higher probability, due to factors like popularity and incumbency advantage, to win elections when pitted against politicians with no such political networks. Dynastic politicians also have generally lower educational attainment, because of their reliance on dynastic connections rather than bureaucratic or academic competence for their position.

There is a significant evidence to suggest that political dynasties use their political dominance over their respective regions to enrich themselves, using methods such as graft or outright bribery of legislators. These kinds of situations arise as conflicts of interests- political dynasties often hold significant economic power in a province- and their interests are over-represented due to dynastic politics.Another negative effect of political dynasties is that political dynasties tend to be for the status quo and develop interests largely separate from the people they were supposed to be serving.

Dynastic candidates, being almost exclusively from the upper classes, are naturally biased towards defending their own vested economic interests, which presents conflict of interest problems. Political dynasties also prevent challengers with potentially effective policy ideas from being able to take office, which limits the capacity for bureaucratic responsiveness and administrative effectiveness and adaptation to new ideas.

After 31 years, political dynasties have entrenched themselves deeply in our political system. As a result, our institutions have become weaker, reforms are slow to implement, corruption is rife, incompetence is tolerated and partisan politics is the name of the game in the halls of power.

As citizens, there is not much we can do but resist political dynasties. The power is still in our hands, as voters. Resist the dynasties and vote for the aspiring, qualified candidate. Its about time we change our cast of leaders. Its about time we infuse new talent.