A thread for millennial Zambians:

The Romans considered the state a common/public entity. Something everyone had common ownership of. This idea “res publica” is where the idea of a commonwealth or a commons comes from.

The State, the Patria (homeland) belonged to all; regardless of their background or status. Granted Rome had a lot wrong with it, but the ideas of “amor patriae” (patriotism or love of the homeland) and res publica are worth study.

Generally the assumption with common ownership of the state or things was that everyone had ownership of the public thing; and therefore a duty to safeguard it.

On the flip side there’s an idea called “the tragedy of the commons.”

This concept describes how common ownership of public things eg parks, often results in a lack of individual responsibility and can incentivize abuse of the publicly owned good. It’s ill kept, overgrown or may be parceled out by gatekeepers because no one cares or pays attention

In essence common ownership has its risks. These can only be mitigated by common vigilance by the public. In short, those who own the common good, must love that which they own in order to prevent abuse ie the tragedy of the commons.

Our culture has become littered with examples of the tragedy of the commons.

We abuse our parks, we abuse our wild life, we abuse our streets with litter, we abuse our forests, we overfish, etc.

However these examples cascade all the way to how we see the state.

Too often the State is seen as a resource; if only one can get that tender, if only one can get connected to some high powered state official etc. The same way we abuse our parks and forests, we abuse state institutions.

Why? Because there is a lack of vigilance; this itself an expression of a lack of common love for the homeland.

JFK once said “ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

That’s what being a citizen is all about.

Treating the country with the love you would treat it with if you owned the country itself; you’d do anything for it. Now imagine millions with that attitude.

We all have a responsibility to contribute in our own ways; some small others big—but always with the whole heart.

If the Republic is facing challenges it’s because we allow it. If the Republic flourishes it’s because we make it so.

Please take ownership of your homeland’s future.