By Moncio Robert Wilmot Kpadeh, former, Senior Lecturer Of Political Science, University of Liberia
Politics is a no doubt a vocation of uncertainties, a theatre of shifting alliances, competing interests, and unexpected turns. It is a game whose script is never entirely written and whose next chapter is rarely predictable. In the mysterious psychology of political engagement, the fiercest rivals can become trusted allies, while the closest friends can, in the blink of an eye, become the harshest adversaries. Such is the nature of politics: a world where yesterday’s opposition may become tomorrow’s partnership, and yesterday’s alliance may become tomorrow’s history.
The road of politics is rarely straight. It is crooked, complicated, complex, and often defined by the changing calculations of POWER and INTEREST. In mystical act called politics , alliances are forged, sustained, and sometimes abandoned, not necessarily because of personal affection or disagreement, but because interests converge or diverge… align or disalign. In politics, shared interests can bring unlikely partners together, while conflicting interests can separate even those who once stood shoulder to shoulder.
Therefore, the first lesson of political wisdom is to expect anything, expect everything, and expect nothing.
When I lectured Political Science and International Relations at the University of Liberia, I repeatedly admonished my students along these lines. I reminded them that politics, or Politology, is a dynamic undertaking in which nothing is permanently settled and nothing is cast in stone. Political circumstances evolve, interests shift, alliances transform, and yesterday’s certainties can become tomorrow’s uncertainties. This is just the games, the sooner you understand it, the easier it becomes, and there will be no need for pressure or bad-blood.
What matters is a thorough understanding of the rules of engagement and the wisdom to apply them appropriately. Politics is not simply an intellectual exercise confined to textbooks, lecture halls, or theoretical frameworks. It is a social science that deals fundamentally with human beings, their interests, emotions, ambitions, loyalties, fears, and aspirations.
And because human beings are complex, politics itself is complex. It requires more than knowledge of political theory; it demands emotional intelligence, strategic judgment, patience, courage, and an intimate understanding of human behavior. One may master the theories of political science and still struggle to navigate the realities of political life if one fails to understand the people behind the politics.
In this game, the impossible is often only the improbable waiting for its moment. Nothing should be considered permanently settled, and no political development should be dismissed as inconceivable. The person you oppose today may be the person with whom you must negotiate tomorrow. The individual who criticizes you most fiercely today may become the very person whose cooperation you need tomorrow.
But understanding political realities does not mean abandoning one’s principles. It means recognizing that principles should remain firm, even when political relationships must remain flexible. One can disagree without becoming disagreeable. One can compete without becoming contemptuous. And one can defend one’s political convictions without denying another person the dignity they deserve.
One of the greatest mistakes in politics is to confuse political disagreement with personal enmity. Harsh words spoken in the heat of political competition or during the bantering of political exchanges should not necessarily become permanent barriers to dialogue. Criticism, even when uncomfortable, should not automatically close the door to reconciliation. The wise politician understands that today’s disagreement does not have to become tomorrow’s irreparable division.
Political communication also demands exceptional wisdom. It is not enough to know what to say; one must understand when to say it, how to say it, and when silence is the more powerful and effective response. Words can build alliances, heal divisions, and open doors that once seemed permanently closed. Conversely, reckless statements, unnecessary insults, diatribes, taunting. and public humiliation can destroy relationships that may take years to repair.
In politics, the tongue can be an instrument of influence or an architect of one’s own isolation of not destruction. A wise political actor knows how to disagree without insulting, how to persuade without provoking, and how to communicate firmly without sacrificing civility. There is a difference between speaking one’s mind and surrendering one’s judgment to the emotions of the moment.
Equally important is the role of generosity, patronage, and the willingness to share. In Liberia we say know how to conjugate the verb EAT, “YOU EAT, I EAT, WE EAT”. Politics is built around human relationships, and human relationships thrive when people feel recognized, respected, and valued. No one can build a sustainable political network by constantly taking while refusing to give. Leadership requires an open hand, a generous spirit, and a willingness to create opportunities for others.
Ultimately, political influence is not sustained by power alone. It is sustained by relationships, trust, reciprocity, and the capacity to engage people beyond the boundaries of immediate political interest. Those who understand the human dimension of politics appreciate that people remember not only what was said to them, but also how they were treated when circumstances were difficult.
A Word to Liberia’s Political Class:
For those engaged in the politics of Liberia, these lessons are particularly important. Our political actors must develop a deeper appreciation of the intrigues, complexities, and mystique of politics, or Politology, and conduct themselves accordingly.
Political competition should never become an excuse for permanent animosity and spitefulresentment. Differences in party affiliation, ideology, ambition, or political allegiance should not destroy the possibility of future cooperation. Liberia is bigger than any political party, and the national interest must always transcend the temporary calculations of political rivalry.
Those who participate in our nation’s political process must learn to distinguish between the battles that must be fought, the disagreements that can be managed, and the relationships that must be preserved. They must understand that political relevance is not measured solely by the intensity of one’s opposition, the volume of one’s rhetoric, or the number of enemies one can claim. It is also measured by the ability to build bridges, navigate competing interests, and create possibilities where others see only dead ends.
It takes wisdom to understand the game, bravery to confront its uncertainties, and strength to withstand its pressures. It takes discipline to remain composed when attacked, humility to engage those who disagree with you, and courage to extend a hand of friendship when political emotions are running high.
But strength without wisdom becomes recklessness. Bravery without judgment becomes folly. And intelligence without emotional discipline can become a liability. The successful political actor must therefore bring these qualities together, understanding not only the rules of engagement but also the human realities that shape the game.
Ultimately, the true mystique of politics resides in its unpredictability, its complexity, and its endless capacity to transform relationships and redefine possibilities.
Expect anything. Expect everything. And expect nothing.
Expect anything, because circumstances can change when you least anticipate them.
Expect everything, because the political landscape is filled with possibilities, contradictions, and surprises.
And expect nothing, because no individual, alliance, position, or promise should be taken for granted.
Above all, preserve your dignity, protect your principles, respect those with whom you disagree, and never allow today’s political differences to destroy tomorrow’s possibilities.
For the mystique of politics is not merely about knowing how to win. It is about understanding human nature, navigating uncertainty, managing relationships, preserving one’s character, and remaining relevant when the political winds inevitably change or when the pendulum swings.
