We may be living in a secular world where religion is no longer an integral part of many people’s lives but we have probably not yet discarded the sanctification of some public figures which our political and social leaders consider as worthy of admiration, if not outright reverence.
No, it is not just the Catholic Church that believes in the veneration of saints but also prime ministers, university councils and even the governing bodies of international institutions like the Nobel Prize Committee.
I am, of course, referring to the end-of-year charade that in the UK, as well in some countries including Malta, sees the head of State awarding national honours to a few individuals who are considered to have given an extraordinary contribution to public life or to the community they served. Most of those included in the honours list are wealthy older adults who still crave for the admiration of society to define their self-worth.
The list of bigheads who have been awarded honours only to be exposed as being most unworthy of anyone’s admiration keeps getting longer. Child abusers like entertainer Jimmy Saville and Liberal politician Cyril Smith were given knighthoods by the Queen on the advice of the UK Prime Minister. So have rogue businessmen like Fred Goodwin and Philip Green and a whole bunch of political cronies.
The present UK Prime Minister Theresa May followed the example of her predecessor David Cameron by including many of her staunchest supporters with honours that many political analysts agree they do not deserve. But Cameron must surely qualify as the prime minister who rendered the UK honours system an absolute disgrace. In 2014, he handed an MBE to his barber. Unashamedly, Cameron went on to nominate his wife’s personal stylist Isabel Spearman with an OBE. George Osborne, another Tory crony and former chancellor, became a Companion of Honour, an award that is usually granted as a ‘reward for outstanding achievements in the arts, literature, music, science, politics, industry and religion’.
In Italy, former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, who was also convicted for tax fraud, was made a Cavaliere del Lavoro in 1977. At least in 2013, he had the decency to renounce to this title that is usually reserved for those who excel in business life.
The honours system in most countries is... undemocratic and often outright corrupt
University governing bodies promote similar veneration cults of international narcissistic personalities by awarding honorary degrees to those who either support economically or politically the countries where these universities operate. No wonder that most students are not interested at all in the ritual of awarding honorary degrees to foreign dignitaries.
One institution that I have so far had a great respect for is the Nobel Prize organisation that has, in most cases, rewarded excellence in various fields of human activity. But it seems that the Nobel committee is as bad in bestowing honours as many other political bodies. Aung San Suu Kyi was a democracy icon in her homeland Myanmar. Now she is proving to be one of the most controversial Nobel Prize winners.
Many admired Aung San Suu Kyi on the global stage “for her refusal to incite violence while under house arrest for 15 years after winning a presidential election the ruling military refused to accept”. Now her supporters are torching effigies of this democracy icon who is doing nothing to protect the minority Rohingya Muslims who are the victims of military abuse. If the Nobel committee does not withdraw the honour it granted the Myanmar leader soon, many will have little faith left in the moral values of this once respected organisation.
I find it painful to comment on our own honours system. I know some of those who won such awards. I certainly do not consider them a shining example of exemplary contribution to improving public life or the well-being of our community.
My virtual awards go to thousands of ordinary people who tiptoe through life caring for ageing parents, children with special needs and relatives affected with mental and other lifelong illnesses. These never appear on the radar of the political administrators who prepare honours lists. I also feel grateful to our healthcare professionals, our educators and those involved in voluntary organisations who aim to enrich our society without seeking medals to wear on their chests.
The honours system in most countries is greatly discredited, undemocratic and often outright corrupt. We are setting a bad example for younger generations when we revere those who least deserve our admiration.
Just scrap the honours system.
johncassarwhite@yahoo.com