Honestismo has become central in Spanish politics: for weeks now, the focus has not been on projects or programs but on levels of corruption: you are very corrupt, you are more corrupt, and your partner is even more corrupt. Pure honestismo, but the word honestismo itself is not well-known. It represents the idea that the root cause of society’s problems is the corruption of politicians and that honesty is the solution. However, this is a self-serving fallacy.
Corruption has become a major issue in politics in recent decades, affecting the relationship between citizens and the government. It involves officials and businessmen abusing their power by not following the laws they are supposed to uphold, leading to anger and frustration. Corruption is built on a foundation of lies, with individuals deceiving those who trusted and elected them. The honestismo approach replaces political debate with a focus on criminal proceedings, shifting attention away from nuanced discussions about different opinions and preferences.
Corruption has now become a convenient substitute for substantive policy debates. Instead of addressing issues such as the deterioration of public services due to government decisions, people wait for corruption scandals to arise as a way to hold politicians accountable. This deflects attention from the underlying policies and ideologies that drive these actions. While honesty is crucial in all aspects of public and private life, the emphasis should be on proposing and implementing policies that benefit society rather than solely focusing on criminal activities.
Although corruption is not limited to any specific political ideology, it often aligns with right-wing principles that prioritize the interests of the few over the needs of the many. Both corrupt and honest individuals can exist within any political faction, with the key difference lying in how they use their power. Administrators who use public funds honestly to improve education and healthcare for the less privileged lean towards the left, while those who prioritize infrastructure and cultural projects for the wealthy lean towards the right. Rather than solely focusing on criminal acts, we should shift our attention towards shaping the kind of society we want to create.
It would be beneficial to move away from the fixation on individual criminal acts and instead focus on the broader societal implications of political decisions. By avoiding the trap of honestismo and engaging in constructive dialogue about different policy approaches, we can work towards creating a more transparent and accountable political system. Ultimately, honesty should be a fundamental pillar of governance, but it should not be used as a distraction from addressing the root causes of societal issues. By promoting honest and ethical leadership, regardless of political affiliation, we can strive towards a more just and equitable society.
