The myth of age in political leadership

Although there exists extensive empirical literature on the relationship between age and outstanding achievement, very few investigations have examined the impact of age on the performance of political leaders. In light of the current debate concerning the age of those aspiring to lead the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), what we can do is gather as much information as we can in order to make up our own minds.

Randomly selecting 45 of 196 countries, the age of serving presidents and prime ministers were researched.

The findings are noted below.

Of the 45 countries surveyed, 62.2 per cent of presidents and prime ministers are older than Shaw, while 11.1 per cent are of a similar age, and 26.7 per cent younger. Overall, then, 73.3 per cent of those surveyed are Shaw's age or older. Interestingly, this is the same statistics for CARICOM leaders (73 per cent).

Over the last several weeks, there have been several comments about the age of the deputy leader of the JLP, Shaw, and JLP leader Andrew Holness. It is said in some quarters that Shaw's age is a detraction, but based on research, his age, per se, should not have any negative impact on his electability and the discharge of his responsibility if elected leader of the opposition or prime minister of Jamaica.

Perhaps then, we should make the central issue be about what constitutes effective political leadership. It is my opinion that at the heart of political leadership are contests - contests to win elections, contests on who is best able to translate voter preferences into election victory, contests on who (which party) is best able to articulate and debate the issues of the day. Effective leadership is thus about mobilising and maintaining ongoing support from the wider electorate, from colleagues in the particular political party, whether at the local or national level. Political leaders have a critical role to play in mobilising support across a range of stakeholders, to recognise, to frame and to address complex problems, which generally require tough choices and fundamental shifts in values, attitudes and behaviours on the part of many of the stakeholders who are involved.

REAL QUESTION

The real question is, which individual is better able to tactically and strategically accomplish these requirements? Who is more likely to have a positive and seminal impact on the JLP as leader? Who can better mobilise the voters and win the election?

Leadership is an essential feature of all oppositions, governments, and good governance: weak leadership contributes to opposition or government failure; strong leadership is indispensable if the opposition or government is to succeed; wise leadership secures prosperity in the long run; foolhardy leadership may bring about a catastrophe.

Let us move the agenda towards the leadership question and drop the age issue. Let's forge ahead with whoever we believe is the better choice!

Al Powell is a management consultant. Send feedback to currentopportunity@yahoo.com and columns@gleanerjm.com.