A New Era of Statesmanship

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization.

By Troy Chavez
August 2, 2024

Statesman (noun)

1: one versed in the principles or art of government, especially one actively engaged in conducting the business of a government or in shaping its policies

2: a wise, skillful, and respected political leader

(Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

People often think of politicians when they think of government and public relations. But that’s the tip of the iceberg. The pandemic brought out these actors into the fold for all to see. This dynamic illustrates the role and reason statesmen enter the fray. And it is usually not for good reasons. Which also shows how government is there when things are good and bad, but never takes credit—because society refuses to give it any. That is reserved for private enterprise and bullish and bombastic politicians.

Regardless of who gets blame or credit, the point is moot because a statesman’s goal is to proliferate issues important to society and plop them on everyone’s dinner table. Statesmen have always been prevalent in society, but today seems ripe for a new age of leaders championing our concurrent laundry list of pivotal issues staring confidently and defiantly in our faces.

From climate change to crime, race and war, there is no shortage of problems. There are so many historical examples of statesmen and how they should act. There are philosophers like Machiavelli and Aristotle who illustrate the qualities needed to persuade the public. There is also the Roman, Cicero who could be seen as the epitome of a statesman.

The Catiline Conspiracy, whereby a plot led by Lucius Sergius Catilina conspired to overthrow the Roman Republic, was halted because of Cicero’s speeches, entitled, “Catilinarian Orations” which rallied the senate and the people against Catiline. His actions were instrumental in keeping Rome’s republic safe and secure. Cicero offers many examples of statesmanship and parallels the American republic currently in duress.

Other examples abound. Benjamin Franklin, who played a foreign diplomat and convinced France to aid the U.S. in the Revolution. George Marshall, who served as Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense and crafted the “Marshall Plan,” helping rebuild war ravaged Europe after World War II. And Eleanor Roosevelt who redefined the role of First Lady and thrusted herself into public policy problems like women’s rights, and later, became a key player in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in 1948.

All these people utilized the arms of government or government entities/bodies to attain their goals. In modern America, and globally, activists are often given praise and accolades for their bravery. But their bombastically plotted ploys and rah-rah political schemas have garnered the opposite effect. Climate activists enraged the art community and greater public with their silly antics, where they threw soup or coloring on famous pieces of art and attractions.  

A survey study conducted by Apollo Academic Surveys in 2023, expressed that while disruptive tactics can support some causes, they fall short of instituting change when issues have high awareness but minimal support. What this country and world really needs are leaders armed in government regulations, laws and procedures so they can enact meaningful and legitimate legislative change.

Loud voices can be tuned out. But the law is the law. This is why Martin Luther King Jr. and Thurgood Marshall used the constitution’s verbiage to advance their initiatives and enact laws. I am not bashing the important work activists do, but there is a time to educate and march, and a time to legislate and govern. The time is nigh to govern. There are so many voices already bellowing important issues that we know what’s on our plate—we just need to dig in and methodically nibble at them. Government has the capacity to accomplish grand things, but it can’t be inundated with mounding requests.

The clear path forward is a calling for people to become public administrators and statesman and become familiar with American bureaucracy. A statesman is someone who takes public life seriously and serves the greater good. Advocating for the greater good is not always easy, and political differences will tug and war and stagnate, or spin government’s wheels to exhaustion. When the storm rides through, experienced sailors need to be aboard.

When the pandemic unfurled onto the world and the United States, Dr. Anthony Fauci stood tall and used his statehood to advocate for treatment, vaccines and policies. Did he make mistakes? Yes. Was he wrong at times—along with other public health officials and politicians? Yes. But the political environment did not share copacetic tendencies (and still doesn’t). Stepping up and serving is not an easy venture, but a democracy demands educated citizens that can lead the polis from collapse and decay. Are you that citizen?

---

Author: Troy Chavez, M.P.A. is a PhD candidate at Liberty University with a masters in public administration and works in government doing community relations. He can be reached at [email protected].

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading...