11/05/2023
THE CASE OF BREAD AND CIRCUSES
The Roman emperors were politicians born ahead of their time because they knew how to handle unrest in their principalities. Often, they distracted the masses from socio-economic and political issues by keeping the masses entertained and distracted.
One Roman poet, Juvenal, a critic of the Roman empire, came up with this quote, "Give them bread and circuses, and they will never revolt." This is because they kept people happy and content, even though they were living in poverty and under a repressive government.
Over the past few months, Kenya has been experiencing a period of political and economic instability in recent months. The government has been accused of mismanagement of public funds, tribalism and high taxation. This has led to widespread discontent among the population, who are feeling increasingly frustrated and disillusioned with the current state of affairs.
In an attempt to quell the unrest, the government has resorted to a strategy of "bread and circuses." This involves providing the population with basic necessities, such as food donation drives in Nyanza, a new university funding model, more jobs abroad, and organized a number of social and sporting events, in an effort to keep people entertained.
However, many Kenyans are sceptical of the government's motives. They believe that the government is simply trying to buy their silence with temporary measures and are demanding more fundamental reforms, such as an end to corruption, tribalism and a more equitable distribution of resources.
The government's strategy of "bread and circuses" is a dangerous one. It may succeed in temporarily placating the population, but it will not address the underlying causes of discontent. In the long run, it is only likely to make things worse and can lead to a decline in productivity and economic growth.
Secondly, can lead to a decline in civic engagement and morality. People can become less motivated to participate in the political process and can lead to a government that is less responsive to the needs of the people thus lowering the overall quality of life.
The Roman circus is a reminder that entertainment and distraction can be used to control people. It is important to be aware of this and to be critical of the entertainment that we consume. The people of Kenya have the power to change their country and must not let themselves be distracted by bread and circuses!