Andreas Peltzer
Christian leaders are not meant to be involved in politics or business.
But during the centuries, Christianity developed an understanding of its communities and society at large.
A concept of Christian social ethics evolved, which should not be hidden within the public debate.
There are some basics as well as some more specific issues to mention. First of all, society needs to be based upon the truth.
Any kind of being ‘economical’ with the truth is unacceptable, especially at the highest levels of leadership.
Already at this most fundamental level, we see the need for the spirit of Pentecoste to be with us.
Secondly, while every individual is on his or her special journey through life, this is only possible within a given society.
We live in a constant tension between individual and social challenges. Thus, concepts of individualism or socialism are bound to fail.
In church, we pray as persons and as parishioners at the same time.
The spirit of Pentecoste needs to touch us individually as well as socially.
Therefore, concepts in which we worship individual wealth or any authoritarian regime are unacceptable.
The balance needed is probably best explained in the terms ‘social democracy’ or ‘social market economy’.
Some interpret these concepts as including insane amounts of social spending.
Originally this socio-economic structure was meant to address the demand side: Everyone shall have a fair chance to participate in society – a basic income job.
Looking at the huge challenges this country faces there are lots of tasks to be dealt with at local level.
The spirit must guide us on how to structure things properly.
Twenty years ago the cash-for-work programmes failed not because of the people in need but because of management issues.
Giving a fair chance to all means we should not encourage the widening gap between private and public education and health care.
This is by the way not only Christian, it is at the centre of the famous concept of justice by John Rawls based upon Aristotelian and Kantian ideas.
Strengthening the demand side has consequences which may not be popular at first: Universities for example should not supply space for thousands of students if there isn’t any demand for its graduates.
In Rwanda, just 1% of all pupils end up at university.
In general, social intermediaries who see tasks within their area of expertise should be able to apply for funding for basic income jobs.
If 1 000 volunteers of such nature operate within a town such as Rundu progress should be visible within a few months.
Thirdly, we have to improve the concept of democracy which has been a copy-and-paste of Western constitutions.
Churches themselves suffer from a democratic overreach when trying to (s)elect leaders.
Political parties are occupied with themselves for years.
In this matter it is not for Christian leaders to make recommendations but to call upon the spirit of Pentecoste: The Apostles were gathered with people of all languages and felt united in the Holy Spirit.
Whoever (mis)uses democracy to create factions and splinter groups are not on the right track.
Thus, the name of the leader doesn’t matter that much ultimately.
At Pentecost, the uniting spirit of Christianity and religion, in general, may serve the nation to the best of its ability.