Politics is the primary catalyst for national success, influencing economic growth, governance, law and order, and international relations. In fact, a stable political system fosters investment, social welfare, and infrastructure development, ensuring long-term prosperity. While economic strength is vital, it ultimately depends on political leadership, strategic policymaking, and governance to sustain progress and global influence.
The debate over whether politics or the economy is the primary driver of national success has dominated intellectual discourse for decades. While the economy undeniably fuels progress by fostering innovation, generating employment, and enhancing global competitiveness, politics ultimately determines a nation's trajectory. Indeed, no economic model can thrive without a stable, visionary, and competent political framework to support it. And a nation's economic prosperity is shaped by its political leadership's decisions, policies, and governance. For instance, from attracting foreign investment to maintaining law and order, fostering international relations, and eradicating corruption, politics is the fundamental force that propels a country toward success. Therefore, without a sound political system, even the most resource-rich nations crumble under the weight of instability and mismanagement.
Before going further, understanding the maxim is widely important. Economic growth is often hailed as the foundation of national prosperity, but a closer look reveals that political stability is the backbone of sustainable economic progress. Indeed, investors - domestic and foreign - prioritize political certainty before committing capital. For instance, New Zealand, ranked among the top nations in the Ease of Doing Business Index by the World Bank, owes much of its success to its stable and transparent democratic system. As a result, this stability creates a conducive environment for investment, economic expansion, and long-term growth.
Furthermore, economic policies aimed at reducing inequality and fostering social welfare originate in political decisions. For example, Norway, a global leader in social security, has successfully bridged economic disparities through comprehensive welfare policies due to its government's commitment to equitable growth. Hence, economic disparity widens without a strong political vision, leading to unrest and instability.
Moreover, job creation, a crucial component of economic prosperity, is a product of sound political governance. In Australia, for instance, a significant portion of the national budget ($777 million) has been allocated to remote job creation, a move expected to generate 3,000 jobs in underdeveloped regions. Consequently, this initiative reflects the power of political leadership in shaping economic landscapes. Therefore, economic prosperity does not emerge in isolation; instead, it is a byproduct of political foresight and governance.
Besides, politics plays a critical role in shaping societal structures, ensuring law and order, and fostering infrastructural development. For instance, Denmark, a world leader in infrastructure, has allocated €21.5 billion to modernize national roads and railways, which enhances public welfare and business efficiency. Hence, large-scale projects require political will, long-term planning, and governance - factors that transcend mere economic calculations.
Similarly, law and order, a fundamental pillar of any thriving society, are also direct outcomes of effective governance. Take Singapore, for example, which is ranked among the safest nations globally by the Global Peace Index (GPI). This achievement is largely attributed to its swift and stringent government policies. As a result, a strong political system ensures social harmony, curbs lawlessness, and fosters a secure environment for citizens and businesses alike.
In addition, corruption, a menace that cripples economies, is best addressed through political action. A case in point is Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), established in 1974, which is a model of how political leadership can root out corruption and restore public trust. Therefore, without firm political intervention, corruption festers, eroding economic and social progress.
Moreover, a nation's global reputation and diplomatic ties directly reflect its political leadership. Indeed, effective diplomacy strengthens international alliances, trade agreements, and cross-border investments. For example, New Zealand's former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern successfully projected a progressive and inclusive image of her nation on the world stage. Notably, her handling of the Christchurch Mosque attack and her stance against extremism thus elevated New Zealand's global standing and attracted international confidence in its governance.
Likewise, strengthening transboundary ties is dictated by political strategies rather than mere economic factors. For instance, under Narendra Modi's leadership, India has fostered strong bilateral relations with the UAE, making it India's third-largest export destination and the fourth-largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI). Clearly, economic transactions do not happen in a vacuum; instead, they are carefully negotiated and secured by political leadership.
Additionally, China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is another testament to how political vision shapes global influence. China has expanded its economic reach and geopolitical dominance by strategically investing in infrastructure development across multiple countries. Thus, these examples reinforce that politics, not economy, drives a nation's international success.
On the other hand, critics argue that economic strength leads to technological advancements, job creation, and infrastructural development, ultimately pushing a nation toward progress. They highlight that economic prosperity fuels research, innovation, and industrialization, which enhances global competitiveness.
However, this argument overlooks a crucial fact: political stability is a prerequisite for economic growth. Without a sound political framework, even the strongest economies can descend into chaos and stagnation. For instance, despite its economic potential, Venezuela collapsed due to political instability and corruption, which proves that financial success is unsustainable without competent governance.
Similarly, another common argument is that economic growth increases infrastructure and social welfare investment. While this holds some truth, the direction and allocation of resources are ultimately political decisions. For example, despite its economic challenges, Ghana has launched major infrastructure projects, including the Marine Drive Accra Project and the Accra Sky Train Project, thanks to its stable political environment. Thus, economic growth alone does not guarantee national progress; it requires political commitment and strategic governance.
On critical footings, a nation's success is built upon visionary leadership, strategic decision-making, and effective governance, all of which fall under politics. Further, economic prosperity, technological advancement, and social stability are all outcomes of political stability and sound policymaking. While economic growth plays a crucial role in development, political leadership eventually steers the nation toward prosperity, stability, and global influence.
Ultimately, for any country aspiring to achieve sustainable development, international influence, and societal harmony, the focus must remain on strengthening its political institutions. Because in the grand scheme of history, it is not the size of a nation's economy that determines its fate but the strength of its political foundation.