Coping with the unexpected

The current drama being played out in Toronto with its disgraced mayor, Rob Ford, is a cautionary tale for democratic countries to ensure that their systems are robust enough to withstand any eventuality.

After months of denying reports made in the media that he had used crack cocaine, had frequently been intoxicated and engaged in other unseemly (and illegal) behaviours, Ford made the stunning confession that he had indeed used cocaine while in one of his “drunken stupors”. Since that November 5 admission, Mayor Ford has been at the centre of a controversy that each day grows more and more embarrassing for both him and the people of Toronto. Despite mounting public pressure and the withdrawal of support by virtually all the members of the City Council, the mayor remains adamant that he is not going to demit office – and until he is convicted of a crime, there is nothing that can force him to do so. Last Tuesday, members of the City Council moved to circumvent his authority by voting to strip him of most of his powers, but he remains in his post.

Quite frankly, it is shocking that the mayor would want to remain in office. It suggests that he is either not cognisant of the gravity of his misdeeds and how it reflects on the position he holds; or that he is simply desperate to cling to power. Neither option is particularly encouraging.

Politics is generally viewed to be an arena where one has to get one’s hands dirty and it therefore requires its players to have a thicker skin than average. Nonetheless, Mayor Ford is exhibiting an extraordinary surplus of this trait. One would have thought that common decency would have guided him to tender his resignation in the face of all that has been revealed, but clearly he is going down fighting.

While we would never suggest that politicians now are any less saintly than those of generations past, it used to be that there was some form of self-imposed accountability when caught with a hand in the cookie jar or in the midst of some other indiscretion. We certainly hope that Mayor Ford’s brand of brashness does not catch on with leaders in other places and spheres. Some might argue that we already do observe a significant level of hubris in our own politicians, especially during election campaigns when all manner of allegations are hurled on the political platforms. However, in Ford’s case, it is more than just empty accusations based on hearsay; there was video evidence and, of course, an admission of guilt from the mayor himself.

Yet, as things stand, the choice is his to stay or go. For the system to allow such a situation to develop indicates a failing somewhere along the line. Perhaps its architects never envisioned a time when an authority figure would be so lacking in shame. Executive bodies around the world should be examining their own frameworks to see if there are similar flaws. Do they provide for a course of action if persons do not play by the unwritten rules of society? Statutes and policies are put in place to protect institutions, organisations and other groupings from suffering due to the fallibility of the individual.

Sometimes lapses in judgement or misconduct can be written off or forgiven with a slap on the wrist. And sometimes they warrant harsher penalties. The takeaway for persons everywhere is to examine whether their systems are adequately equipped to take the strongest possible action.