Should electoral effectiveness legitimise divisive political rhetoric?

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Electoral effectiveness does not confer legitimacy upon divisive political rhetoric.

Malaysian politicians across the political spectrum, including those from Malay-based and Chinese-based parties, frequently employ rhetoric centered on race and religion during election campaigns. This strategy often frames arguments around protecting community identity, preserving political power, or preventing one group from being dominated by another. While such tactics can be electorally effective due to the potent influence of fear and identity, their success does not render them legitimate. Leadership, conversely, should aim to reduce societal fear and foster an understanding that one community's security need not be contingent upon another's insecurity.
The pervasive use of identity politics in Malaysian elections

The practice of leveraging race and religion in electoral campaigns is deeply embedded in Malaysia's political history and remains a persistent feature. Politicians from various parties, such as Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor and Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, have consistently placed Malay political power and religious identity at the forefront of their discourse. Similarly, Chinese-based parties have also utilized communal anxieties, warning of declining political representation or threats to cultural rights. This consistent reliance on identity-based appeals, regardless of changing party names or coalitions, underscores its perceived utility in securing votes.
The appeal and mechanics of divisive rhetoric

The effectiveness of identity politics stems from its ability to tap into deeply held emotions and anxieties. Politicians often equate the survival of their party with the fate of an entire community, a tactic that bypasses the need for detailed policy proposals or accountability for unfulfilled promises. This approach is considered an "easy" strategy because it requires minimal substantive policy articulation. Instead, it focuses on manufactured outrage and dominating the news cycle, often without subsequent accountability for misleading narratives.
The disconnect between effectiveness and legitimacy

While the article acknowledges that divisive rhetoric can be electorally successful, it firmly argues that this effectiveness does not equate to legitimacy. The author expresses frustration that politicians appear invested in hindering political progress by perpetuating these divisive narratives. The core argument posits that leadership should instead focus on alleviating fear and encouraging citizens to believe that their security is not dependent on the insecurity of other communities. This contrasts sharply with the prevalent strategy of maintaining a state of "permanent communal emergency" to mobilize support.
The imperative for leadership beyond identity politics

The article suggests that a more advanced political landscape would involve voters demanding more from their leaders, judging them on competence rather than communal performance. Such an electorate would force politicians to earn trust by addressing substantive issues like wages, housing, education, and healthcare, rather than relying on fear-mongering and division. The strategy of treating voters as unintelligent or easily manipulated is presented not as an accidental byproduct but as a fundamental condition that sustains this form of identity-based politics.

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Should electoral effectiveness legitimise divisive political rhetoric?

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