8 Lessons from the Hill

Working for five weeks in the heart of the beast - on Capitol Hill - has led me to believe that American political culture could learn a great deal from South Africa and the South African political system. However, I’d like to reflect on some of the things that young South Africans might learn from the US and its political culture. These are 8 things that I have learned from working on Capitol Hill.

1. Pride in Politics Through Institutions

Being in politics is cool here. A large part of that is because of the way public service is consciously positioned. The official buildings, the pomp and ceremony, the impressive media coverage of political events. There is also a great focus on the importance of national monuments which are maintained and revered.

The Younger generation is then enticed to participate in the political system early, with the opportunity of summer internship programmes in every office across the capital.

I think we can learn from this and try to attract our best graduates into the political arena by offering similar programmes in our own country. Parliamentary internships are scarce and inaccessible. They should be marketed through the departments of student affairs at all Universities and select the top applicants to get meaningful first-hand experience of governance from an early age

2. Lobby Groups

Lobby groups are an extremely important and powerful part of politics in the United States. It took me a while to realize that none of them actually call themselves “lobby groups”. Rather, they take the form of “research institutions” that seek to “inform your Congressman of the latest developments in the given field.” Sometimes these groups can deepen the democratic process: often elected representatives don’t know very much about an issue and their only means of acquiring expert information is from lobby groups who provide it. Sometimes, lobby groups simply represent a certain group of people in the official’s constituency. This can also be helpful because it speeds up the democratic process: representative individuals forward the grievances and aspirations of one group without the elected official having to do the legwork of speaking to each one individually.

However, often these groups seek to forward elite agendas and use their economic power to gain access to undue political power. Corporations hire lobbyists (who call themselves “government liason officers”)) to engage policy makers and ensure that policy is favourable to their interests. This is the dark side of lobbying. Either way, the organization of interests takes the depth with which issues are considered to a new level. Groups who are committed to social justice should add to their efforts by engaging members of parliament and local representatives as well as civic society.

3. Business Cards

There is a great culture of connectivity. What has amazed me is the number of old, established people who are ceiling and in fact offer younger inexperienced people their business cards out here. They are keen to give the next generation a leg up. Similarly, whereas back home we are often in awe of our leaders, people here will feel no shame in going up to one and asking for their contacts and perhaps.

4. The South African Story is Still an Example

We get fed so much of the “miracle narrative” back home that we have grown tired of it. Our media bombards us with everything that is wrong with South Africa and this contributes to the skepticism we have about the power of our story. Until I spoke to my fellow students from the New Story Leadership Programme (that brings young Israelis and Palestinians together), who all recounted stories of lost loved ones, fear and uncertainty. Then, I realized how important the South African freedom I have been lucky enough to experience is. While we face great challenges and while this democracy is still very fragile, the last 17 years could have been very different for all of us. The South African story still inspires people here and their distance and objectivity has inspired me to regain my belief in this fact.

5. But Narratives Evolve

In the same way, I learned that narratives evolve. South Africa is no longer the place that just made a miraculous transition to democracy, we are the society that did that who is experiencing the growing pains of a young democracy. It feels as though the world is holding its breath, waiting to see if this one example of humanity will hold out and affirm our faith in the goodness of man. The narrative will change over the next decades and our role now is to make that narrative a triumphant and not a tragic one.

6. Engagement With Citizens

Citizens call their local government officials. School principal unions engage their congressman, advocacy groups come to the Hill everyday. We must break free of the thought that our officials are somehow separate from us.

7. Political Groundwork and Knowing the Facts

While the debates raging here at the moment are every bit as heated as the ones taking place at home, there is a difference in the amount that people working in the office of elected officials know. The facts are at the fingertips of all the political discussions here on the Hill. They are given a very particular slant but they are present. We must move towards a more informed political discourse. I have read entire newspapers on one issue here on the Hill. Other newspapers dedicated to the actions of but one committee. This breeds greater accountability and prevents rhetorical arguments from seeing the light of day.

8. The Importance of Reading, Speaking and Writing

In nearly every talk we have had, one message has come through: know how to communicate your spoken and written ideas succinctly, effectively and persuasively. Enough said.