National Character

National character cannot be built by law. It is the sum of the moral fiber of its individuals. – Herbert Hoover.

In an op-ed, a couple of years ago, I wrote on the role of “leaders” in disseminating values and building next generations’ character. I argued:

The role models for the Pakistani public are leaders tainted with various scandals of character and integrity. The youth are steadily reminded that relying on ‘merit’ is not as rewarding as investing one’s energies and talents in currying favor with the elites. The term meritocracy in this country has been relegated to the realm of impossibility. Link here.

Charles Duhigg, in his self-help block-buster The Power of Habit, recommends that, to rid oneself of a bad habit, one needs to break free from the "triggers" or “reinforcers” of that habit.

And, basing my point on Duhigg’s proposed strategy, I emphasized:

Pakistan needs to immediately embark on purging all such “reinforcers” of malfeasance among politicians and civil servants.

We must act before it is too late. Time and tide wait for none!