Introduction
Political culture can be defined as the set of particular values of a country within which its political system operates. It is the values and/or characteristics of the political life in Cyprus, how politics is practiced therein that differentiate it from other countries in the Middle East and in the world. Is it for instance, respect to the rule of law, freedom of the press, multipartism or even respect for public institutions? Political culture is the end product of different factors from geography to history. It is also influenced by such factors as social or religious pluralism, constitutional reform and even globalization. (Political culture, 2008).
Cyprus is an Island in the Mediterranean Sea located in the Middle East to the south of Turkey. It is a former British colony and achieved its independence on August 16, 1960. In1963 conflict erupted between the Greek Cypriot majority and the Turkish Cypriot minority in the Cypriot capital Nicosia. This intercommunity violence continued well into the 1970’s. In 1974, the Greek government attempted control over Cyprus resulted in a military intervention by the Turkish. Soon enough, the Turks controlled more than a third of the island and declared the region the Turkish republic of Northern Cyprus. The result was two de facto autonomous regions. The region under the Cypriot government, that is also internationally recognized and the northern part that comprises of the Turkish-Cypriot region. However, the northern region was only formally recognized by Turkey. Although the island became a member of the EU as a whole there are still divisions that exist between the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots. Each region is considered autonomous from the other. As such even the administration of the regions is different. (Arcadia, 2005).
While the ruling/dominant political party in Cyprus is the communist party, the ideology seems to be capitalist. The government does not in any way control the means of production as is the case with countries that have adopted the communist ideology. In Cyprus, the free market economy is in play. The service sector dominates and contributes about 78% of the Cyprus GDP. More over, the tourism, financial and real estate sectors have also contributed to the growth of the economy which has been growing at an impressive 3.6% average between 2000 and 2006. ( Connect project, 2007).
Form of government
The presidential system of government exists in Cyprus. According to Hawkesworth & Kogan, a presidential system of government is one where the president serves as both the head of state and the head of government. (1992) After every five years the president is elected by way of universal suffrage. This means all Greek Cypriots who are 18 years and above. The members of the House of Representatives are also elected to serve five year terms. The 1960 Cyprus Constitution was responsible for the formation of a presidential system of government in addition to an independent executive, judiciary and the legislature. (Arcadia, 2005).
Institutions
The major government institutions in Cyprus include the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. The three are independent of each other on the basis of separation of powers. The Cyprus Supreme Court is the final court of appeal in the land.
The Executive: The president, currently Dimitris Christofias, is both the head of state and the head of government. He is to be elected by popular vote for a five year term. Under the 1960 Constitution, the post of a vice president was created. However it remains vacant, as it is reserved for a Turkish Cypriot, owing to the conflict between the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots. The cabinet is to be jointly appointed by the president and the vice president.
The Legislature: Again members to the legislature are elected by popular votes to serve five year terms. (Connect project, 2007) The House of Representatives has a total of 80 seats 56 of which are assigned to the Greek Cypriots while the remaining 24 are for the Turkish Cypriots.
The Judiciary: The supreme court judges are appointed by the president. However, decisions by such courts as the ICJ (International Court of Justice) can overrule those taken by the Cyprus supreme court.
Party System
Cyprus practices multi partism. The main political party which is also the ruling party is the communist party AKEL. However, there are other political parties which constitute the right wingers, the centralist and the socialists. Thus the democratic rally liberal conservatives, the democratic centrist party, the EDEK social democrats and the EUKO.KO centrists. (Cyprusnet, 2008).
Political parties
As stated before, Cyprus has adopted a multiparty system. There are different political parties which are either left, right or centre based on ideology. Some parties also combine the ideologies resulting in centre- right or centre left parties. Party differentiation became the norm in 1968. All in all, according to The Economist, there are five major political parties. The parties stand is not only dictated by ideology but also by the stand taken by these parties regarding the Cyprus question. (2007).
AKEL – The Progressive Party of Working People. This is a left wing political party that has its basis on Marxist- Leninist political philosophies and principles and was founded in 1941. It succeeded the communist party of Cyprus, currently it is the ruling party in Cyprus after the 2008 elections. The party head, Mr. Dimitris Christofias, is the head of state and the head of government. After the 2004 elections, the party held two seats in the European parliament. The party calls for an independent and a demilitarized Cyprus in addition to a federal solution to the internal problems experienced by Cyprus. While the party is in opposition of privatization and liberalization, it is however in support of the adoption of policies that are consistent and mandatory with the joining of the EU. (Economist, 2007).
DISY – The Democratic Rally. This is a centre-right political party that was formed in 1976. The party head Mr. Nicos Anstasiades is a member of the Cyprus House of Representatives. It also held two seats in the European parliament after the 2004 elections. The party stands for the adoption of bizonal and also bi communal federation to addressing Cyprus’ internal problems. Moreover, the party is also somewhat conservative representing middle and business class interests. (The Economist, 2007).
DIKO – The Democratic Party. This is a centre-left party formed in 1976. it is also to some extent nationalistic. It held 9 seats in the Cyprus House of Representatives after the 2001 parliamentary elections and 1 seat in the European parliament after the 2004 elections. The party is in strong support for the adoption of the UN resolutions as an end to Cyprus’ problems. (Cyprusnet, 2008).
EDEK – Movement of Social Democrats. It is a centre-left party. (Economist, 2007) The party supports a united Cyprus through the adoption of the UN resolutions. It also calls for the execution of human rights for all Cypriots. It won four seats in the House of Representatives in the 2001 elections and succeeded the Socialist Party of Cyprus.
EURO.KO – The European Party. A centre party founded in 2005. It supports the adoption of the UN resolutions and the European Acquis to end Cyprus’ problems. Furthermore it has taken a strong stand in support of human rights. It held four seats in the House of Parliament. (Cyprusnet, 2008).
EURO.DE – The European Democracy. A centre right party formed in 2004. It won one sit in the European parliament and three seats in the House of Representatives. According to the party, the solution to the Cyprus problem lies in the adoption of the European constitution and the charter of fundamental rights.
EDI – United Democrats. A centre party formed in 1996. The party is in support of the formation of a federation in addition to the adoption of the UN resolutions to end the Cyprus problem. (Cyprusnet, 2008)
ADIK – Fighting Democratic Movement. A centre-right party formed in 1999. Calls for an independent and united Cyprus through the adoption of the UN resolutions and the European Acquis. Chose a representative to the house for the first time in 2001.
The Ecological Environmental Movement
Also known as the Cyprus green party. The party opposes the Cyprus split on the basis of ethnicity and religion. Moreover it is also not in favor of the use of arms. (Cyprusnet, 2008).
According to Cho (2004), political parties are the mediators between the state and the citizens. Thus at the end of the day the parties must seem to represent the interests of the people rather than their own interests. Some of these parties ultimately form the government. However, the minute the masses feel that these parties are not articulating their issues and interest like they should, then they cease their support and the parties cease to be relevant. At such, the political parties in Cyprus always strive to satisfy the needs of the citizenry for then to remain relevant.
Multi parties give the Citizens a wider choice of different ideologies in Cyprus. In the end, the Cyprus citizens are assured that parties work extra hard in order to remain relevant (Karp & Banducci, 2006). In the political arena the parties communicate their ideologies and different stands on the political economic and social issues of the day to the citizenry who then chose the party that best resonates with their needs at that particular time. The party with the dominant ideology gets the support of the citizenry, becomes the dominant party and forms the government of the day. For the rest of the Parties, their representation on the government is pegged on the support they get from the general citizens. They can do this by making sure that they reach the electorate at the grassroots as this is the only way they can enjoy the kind of support they hope for. According to Lawson & Poguntke, this means even a change in the communication strategy. For instance, the parties may choose to adopt the internet and direct mailing as a way of reaching more people. More over the parties may carry out research so as to determine the relevant social economic issues of the day that the electorate is faced with and that need to be addressed, this is the only way the masses can identify with them. (2004).
The Political aspect I would change about Cyprus
The political system in Cyprus is presidential where the head of government is also the head of state. While it seems to be working to for Cyprus, it has inherent disadvantages. First of all is that the presidential system of government has long been believed to be susceptible to authoritarianism. (Hawkesworth & Kogan, 1992) In the presidential system the president enjoys such immense powers that it is likely that after elections he might use the powers to curtail the influence of the other parties in house of representatives especially if they do not support his decisions. At such, the president, since he is can not be ousted by a majority vote because he is constitutionally above the law; can look down upon the other two arms of the government.
Many countries that have the Parliamentary form of government have proved that, this is a governing style that cannot be trusted to ensure that countries enjoy absolute democracy. Although the president is brought to power by a majority vote from the citizens, the same people wield no power do change the situation should they have misgivings about the president’s way of executing the mandate vested on him. The only option they have is either to carry mass action to demonstrate against the government or wait until the end of the five year period in order to vote him out of office. Changing this form of government would ensure that the powers to hire and fire the president and other political representatives that are elected by the people lay in the hands of the same electorate. At such, the House of Representatives would have the powers to censure the president, on behalf of the larger citizenry should he conduct the affairs of the country in a manner that suggests either negligence or lack of proper consideration of what would be the best action for the country. This will help check the powers of the president, which if left unchecked may lead to an authoritarian culture depending on the individual characteristics of the reigning president at any one time.
By vesting the president with the powers to appoint members of the judiciary, it goes without saying that those appointees will owe him an allegiance. At such, even though the Supreme Court Judges can vow that the president does not interfere with the affairs of the judiciary, doubts on how true this is will always abound. Such is especially true in matters related to the influence of political parties that do not support the president in parliament. The Cyprian president of the day may seriously stifle the influence of those parties that may not support his stand and that of his party especially in the Cyprus question. To change this, the president should be stripped the mandate of appointing the supreme judges and instead, this mandate should be vested on a panel of people who can evaluate the different people available for the position and pick the best candidates based on professionalism, experience and performance.
The separation of powers is another core area in Cyprus governance that would do with drastic reforms. The house of representatives is charged with the overall power of making the Laws, the president on the other hand is theoretically supposed to carry out the laws set by the legislature, while the judiciary, which operates quasi independently is charged with the execution of the laws set in parliament and documented in the country’s constitution. The separation of power in such an arrangement is rarely neat or trustworthy. A look into modern democracies practicing the presidential form of government reveals that the stated powers are not independent and are mostly overlapped. At such, the president and the entire executive office may influence decisions made in parliament. This is especially so if the president has to consent to a bill before it finally becomes law. In such an arrangement, no bill however popular can become law without meeting the required standards set by the president. Neither the legislature nor the executive can force the president to do anything that he does not want to. The Parliament on the other hand, may attempt to manipulate programs through regulations. The arm that suffers most however is the Judiciary. This is because it is prone to the manipulation of both the executive and the legislature.
With no clear separation of powers and with only one house in parliament- the House of Representatives, the result is a blame game between the two whenever things go wrong. The president may blame the house while the house may blame the president for high handedness- especially where the executive rejects bill that the legislature believes may have had a far reaching effect on the performance of the various sectors of the country. The president on the other hand, however noble his intentions for the country may be, might be limited in his ability to ensure that his dreams for the country are enacted if he does not have the majority support in parliament to move the motion and ensure that it is debated and passed as law. To ensure that his policies get to see the light of the day, the president needs not only get enough support from the general citizens, but also needs to create friendly alliance in parliament who can support whatever policies he proposes and ensure that it becomes law.
This interdependence creates a stale mate which only hurts the country and its population but at the end of the day it is the masses that lose. This becomes evident from the poor performance of the economy as a result of poor economic policies, a dissatisfied populace which may opt to air their grievances through demonstrations and thus affecting sectors dependant on the social and political stability of the country. Worse still, under the presidential form of governance, the president is mandated with the powers to appoint ministers who run cabinet posts that relate to the overall performance of the country, both within and outside its borders. The wrong selection, as would be humanly possible, will lead to inefficiency and the overall deteriorating performance of the country’s socio-economic performance.To fix this, the country would have to adopt a Parliamentary form of government.
By adopting the Parliamentary System of government, the situation where the president cannot be removed from power even if his government is not responding to the needs of the people unless his term is over and election are held would also be rectified. (Sodaro et al, 2004) Under the parliamentary system of governance, power is not wielded by one person, and checks and balances set forth in the country’s constitution ensure that there are no excesses in the government. In most instances a coalition is formed and this prevents the abuse of power by one person. However, this does not mean that all governments with a parliamentary system are run under the coalition government. The distinct characteristic of the Parliamentary system is that the Prime Minister serves as the head of government, while the president becomes the head of state. This provides a clear separation of powers. As these two figure heads have to work together to ensure that the government is fully operational and that it has the benefit of the people at heart. The fact that the premier can be impeached and removed from office if his rule does not resonate well with the needs of the people, is a sobering fact that makes a reigning Prime Minister work hard to ensure a good performance of the government.
Conclusion
Cyprus is distinct from other countries in the Middle East for the simple reason that it has a distinct political culture. Political culture referring to the political values and characteristics of the Cypriot people. While it is divided into north and south, Cyprus practices the presidential system of government under the 1960 Constitution. Under this, it has the executive branch, which refers to the president and the powers vested on him by the Cypriot constitution, the legislature, which comprises independent legislatures voted to power by the people and who serve for five years until another election is held, and the Judiciary, which is the government arm that ensures that law and order is upheld in the country by enforcing the laws stated in the constitution.
The advent of multiparty politics in Cyprus has seen to the at least five distinct political parties being represented in the Cyprus parliament. All the political parties have adopted different ideologies that address the Cypriot concerns. This is all part of the Cyprus political culture, which has been influenced by such things as its high rates of education. With over 90% of the population well educated, Cyprus enjoys a 97.6% literacy rate, it is no wonder that the people understand what to expect from government. Their need to influence the political system is what led to the multiparty way of life. At such, the political culture has had considerable influence on the political system.
If we take the Cyprian political culture as the independent variable and the political system is the dependent variable (Franklin & Baum, 1995), we realize that a lot of what the Cyprus political environment is today is a direct result of the culture. This can be explained in a number of ways. First, Multi party politics in Cyprus came into being because of the diverse social, political and cultural ideologies that the Cyprus people had. In addition, the various party heads felt the need for those ideologies to be part of the country’s governance. At such, the parties present candidates at various electoral level for the citizens to vote for or against during a general election. The number of representatives in the House of Representatives today is a direct result of various political party influences on the electorate. Some people however win elections based on their personal statements, advocacy and personalities. This ensures that they get a political office despite what their party policies are. Is it okay to elect a person based on his charisma, wit, eloquence and promises he makes outside the boundary policies set by his political parties? The answer to this question can best be answered in the recent elections of the United States Barrack Obama as President. How many people out of the people who voted for example knew that his party- the Democratic Party- is pro-choice?, which means that they believe that a pregnancy can be terminated at the mothers will, how many still, knew that his party advocates for gay rights? Voters however either ignored or was just oblivious of these facts and instead chooses to concentrate on the personality of the candidate. In just the same way, the Cyprus house of representatives has a significant number of legislatures who are in the house not because of the strength of their party policies, but because the electorate saw the potential that the legislatures has as individuals.
According to Hawkesworth & Kogan however, culture is a consequence as opposed to a cause (1992). At such, I can therefore conclude that the many consequences of the political actions that the Cyprian citizens engage in for the purposes of picking the strongest candidates, who would ensure that the right laws required for fair representation of the country both within or on the world wide platform results in the political culture.
To test this political culture, would require an overhaul of the governing system to maybe a parliamentary system, which would present the country with a completely new system of governance. Depending on the reaction of the parties, their members and the electorate, one would be able to surmise the strength of the Cyprian political culture strengths and weaknesses. As things are today, however, it is evident that the different political cultures (cause) are responsible for different political systems (effect).
References
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