I am not sure if anyone is allowed to coin new words in the lexicon but I will use a writer’s licence to do so. We often boast about Malta being a democracy. I have often thought about this and wondered whether Malta is truly a democracy.

That our thinking is ‘parochial’ is unquestionable. The way members of parliament debate, argue and vote in the highest institution of our country is in 99 per cent of cases an example of all this. Has anyone ever asked what happens to the genuine Maltese and Gozitan politicians who try to serve in the most legitimate and honest way?

I hope that most of you have at least asked this question.

If one were to dwell in the depths of their moral world, one would realize that most of the genuine politicians are either not elected or if elected are gotten rid of after some years. Why?

Well for me it is all about favocracy. 

Let me try to help you picture this typical scenario in the Maltese socio-politico culture.

The evolution of a society is a necessary phenomenon, it allows for change and growth in step with the times. We are living in a very individualistic 21st century society with a focus on the self. This may really be a necessary phenomenon for today’s world. Today’s Malta celebrates diversity and individualism, and that’s beautiful!

This mindset can bring about much change for the better, if only it were practised with a sense of community, honesty, fairness and justice.

You see, the glitch lies in the mentality we have adopted that ‘my world’ is by far more important and valuable than ‘your world’.

We may have somewhat become trapped in our own little world, enslaved by a very myopic view of our existence and survival.

Favours, that’s what most of us long for. “Give me what I need NOW and I will vote for you.”

Let me not be misunderstood; there is a big difference between fighting for your right and demanding a privilege.

Your right is sacred and that should never be forgone. So here, I am not talking about a right but an abuse of that same notion.

Each one of us may believe that we have the full moral competency to decide right from wrong, good from bad and just from unjust.

It is a fine line, and the process which is maintaining this socio-political scenario benefits the individual, but how about the community?

Is ‘favocracy’ really working out for our country?

My humble opinion is that it is not.

So I ask, what can change this whole process? Of course, I am no political expert, or analyst or historian for that matter. Neither am I in any way cognizant of the ramifications of constitutional law, but kindly allow me to express some thoughts.

Has anyone thought of having an executive government made of non-elected technocrats and answerable to two thirds of the elected parliamentary assembly?

We need people governing our country who are truly interested in Malta and not held hostage to power and money. Greed is unfortunately taking over our beautiful Malta. Parliament may very well be just a smoke screen, a make-believe democracy.

I know that there are many good-willed and genuine people who have a lot to offer our country, and that not everyone is anesthetized by our political smoke screen.

One day, maybe not in our lifetime, Malta will grow into a true democracy, a true hub of intellectual, empathic and communal exchange which encourages personal and social growth in a genuinely democratic culture.

Until then, let us brace ourselves.