The Growing Political Apathy in the Department of Philosophy

 

By Bolu Kuewumi 

 

"Should things go wrong at any time, the people will set them to rights by the peaceable exercise of their elective rights.” – Thomas Jefferson

The growing political apathy in the philosophy department is becoming worrisome that it can no longer be dusted off like mere dirt on a hat. The empty political posts left unoccupied can attest to this issue. This development only proves that it is possible for a person to be educated and understand what politics is about yet apathetic towards political matters. Possible reasons and solutions to this problem.

This is an exposition of the 'growing political apathy in the department' which is becoming unbecoming and tantamount to counterproductivity. This is evident in the low turnout of people vying for executive positions or political posts as well as voting during the last election and consequent vacant offices.

Pointing out the possible reasons for the 'growing political apathy in the department'; Could it be that students of the department do not have the requisite knowledge of the department's politics? Could it be a result of a biased electoral process? Could it be a result of dishonest leadership? Could it be that NAPSITES find the department's politics boring? Could it be as a result of the academic status of most students in the department seeing that it is the primary reason for being admitted into this great citadel of learning? Or even financial reasons and having to juggle academics with political offices And other cogent reasons best known to the students of the department.

Political Apathy is described as when a person has an indifferent attitude towards political matters such as vying for political positions, expressing franchise, having opinions and so on. When we hear the word 'politics', the images that come into play in our minds are government, political parties, elections, politicians, and so on. These images, however, have ruled out the original meaning of 'politics'.

Etymologically, the word 'politics' is derived from the Greek word 'polis', which means the city-state. The idea of 'polis' also emerged from the writings of Plato and Aristotle which explains the development of the 'ideal state'.

Consequently, the 'department' is our own 'ideal state' and various strategies need to be put in place and applied to create a better department than the one which already exist— 'politics' is one of those strategies. How then can we realize this 'ideal state' if there is no complete executive body possessed of knowledge, obtained through philosophical study to direct the affairs of NAPSITES?

Solutions

The prices of forms for political offices should also be reduced. Recognition and award should also be presented to officers who have performed well in office. Also, interested candidates should also know that to successfully achieve any task, there is need to master the art of balancing and juggling with two or more duties.

An 'ideal state' is not an ideal state if there is no Philosopher-King to rule it affairs. In other words, to bring about development and advancement to the department, it is high time NAPSITES began to take up their positions as 'Philosopher-Kings'.  All for a better department.