Absurdist Politics

Absurdist Politics

Its Meaning in the Great Circus: A Short Story

Its Meaning in the Great Circus: A Short Story

"Wow, this phrase! How come this phrase is not already a thing? This beautifully captures our reality as Ghanaians and I’m sure many other countries. If you ask me, I think you’ve just coined a term. You never know, if it doesn’t already exist, it could be attributed to you. Like Taiye Selasi is cited for coining the word Afropolitan following her essay “Bye-bye Barbar or what is an Afropolitan?." These are the words of my creative mentor who edited my three short stories, from which this word emanated. 'The Great Circus' is one of the short stories I wrote about the clowny way the country is run and how politics comes to play.

If you know me well, you will know that politics is not a topic I fancy involving myself in, in other words, I do not involve myself so much in it, the reasons being that I just do not find anything interesting in people openly expressing their expertise in cunningly manipulating their way out of things. I have grown and I have come to realise that it is a way of living and no amount of swerving can help you dodge that bullet. You will get involved, directly or indirectly.

In this our world, politics often seems like a theater of the absurd, the term "Absurdist Politics" emerges as a captivating description of the reality that Ghanaians, and perhaps many other countries, find themselves in. This phrase, existing or not, encapsulates the inherent contradictions, and illogical decisions, that often permeate the political landscape.

I came out with the concept of Absurdist Politics after coming across absurdism, a word that is not strange to the philosopher Albert Camus, even though this phrase was not entirely in existence, it can be understood as absurdity and political power. It refers to a mode of governance characterized by bewildering paradoxes, irrational decision-making, and a detachment from the actual needs and realities of the people they are expected to serve. It is a term that captures the surreal nature of political landscapes where logic and reason often take a backseat while manipulation and lies take the lead, not in the blind side of people but in their conscious minds.

From my story, one would discover that characters are portrayed as circus performers, unraveling the Quirkiness and absurdity of politicians and party foot soldiers. To truly grasp the essence of Absurdist Politics, one must examine the various manifestations that exist within our society. Witnessed from contradictory policies and baffling public statements to outrageous acts of corruption and nepotism, examples of Absurdist Politics can be found in every nook and cranny of the political sphere, our workplaces, and even at homes.

Absurdist Politics has far-reaching consequences, not only for the functioning of governance but also for society as a whole. It is okay to argue that these are the ways of humans and that the absence of absurdist polititics would mean not fully understanding the essence of politics but, It erodes trust in institutions, undermines faith in leadership, and perpetuates a cycle of cynicism among the populace. The quirks and absurdities of political power can hinder progress, and create an atmosphere of perpetual chaos like we are seeing in the eighth parliament of the Fourth Republic and the plot twist that happened in the US elections days ago.

“Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely” - Lord Acton

Absurdist Politics may seem like an inescapable reality, nonetheless, it is important to look in between the lines and sieve out the truth when needed. We can foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and civic engagement. If this is not done, citizens lose interest in political processes, and that is where apathy strikes in.

This resonates with many who have experienced the nature of governance, and those who have lived through it believe that it is the way politics is done, but I believe we can challenge this entrenched way of politics ultimately transforming the status quo.

what do you think about absurdist politics?

A link to the anthology is here: The Great Circus