He's already written 6 books on community based development, but now sculptor and author Steven Okeke is going into uncharted waters with his new book, "the Psychology of Belizean politics, analyzing the CITCO election of 2006." In it Okeke examines how the UDP won and the PUP lost but he makes no friends while doing so. Okeke calls out the PUP for corruption and the UDP for ineptitude. But Okeke says it's not about pointing fingers, it is about deepening the political discourse.
Stephen Okeke, Author
"It is an analysis of a recent event but against the backdrop of 11 years of collected data. Of course we can't just jump into a country and write about the politics of the country. This has been going on for the past 11 years. That is why when you look through the analysis, it is not zippy, it is carefully and articulately done.
It does not really matter if I am remembered for it. The important thing is that I know in my heart, I have done something for Belizeans, they can never be thankful enough for it. In addition Belizeans enjoy discussing politics and a lot of Belizeans are disgruntled about politics. Does that have impact on productivity? Yes. Does that have impact on national security? Yes it does and on stability. So with this book, people can now understand politics. Relax about politics. Families can now enjoy discussing politics. Academics can now enjoy and know how to discuss politics without being partisan.
In the book I am saying look, even the UDP themselves, the UDP as a party, does not yet understand why it won the election and it couldn't have understand why it won the election because all their plans were based on common sense. There wasn't any planned articulate mobilization of efforts.
So it is not a matter of the UDP will listen to me or the PUP will listen to me. It is that the two parties need help and here comes help so why won't they take it. They are intelligent people so they will take it."
Jules Vasquez,
Well they won't take it.
Stephen Okeke,
"Why not?"
Jules Vasquez,
They are masters of the universe and of the game.
Stephen Okeke,
"They will not take it publicly. We can see from the outset of the game they are all fallible. The UDP has failed and failed again and succeeded this time. And it wants to know why it succeeded so here comes 2008. They seem to be losing already. They need help badly.
Politics is a game, politics is an art. Politics is also a science. If you understand how it is done you will win elections. If you don't understand how its done and you are just naturally honest and you think honesty into politics, you will lose and keep losing elections."
Okeke's new book will have an open community launch next week Saturday, July 8th.
