What I see are three forces in
play:
1.
Change resisters;
2.
Change seekers; and
3.
Change procrastinators.
As mentioned earlier, those who
enjoy specific returns, especially those who stand to reap benefits
from the current status quo, will practically resist any innovation
that threatens their power-hold and therefore property rights that
bring large rewards; be it real or apparent. They are prone to
ignore the developments and changes in their environment that
demand innovations, particularly those that will result in a
redistribution of powers and rewards; especially if those changes
are initiated by the change seekers that form the significant
others within the society. However, this withholding and denial of
changes inevitably develops into a blindness that subjects the
bureau to considerable inertia.
Malaysia is a good example. Umno’s
inertia led to the development of blindness and arrogance; and
despite clear signs of deterioration in its support base and demand
for more equitable treatment amongst the masses, it took no action
to remedy those faults. Years of manipulative politics had led Umno
to the belief that it is indispensable and the people cannot
survive without it. However, the recent election results spoke
otherwise; rudely awakening them from their sweet dreams. Thence,
corrective actions were taken but only to be
proven faulty as problems kept multiplying and
thereby putting the coalition in a stage of crisis.
Change resisters may suppress the
need for innovations for only a limited period of time, even if
attempts to eliminate change seekers are undertaken, it still does
not produce an elixir that accords eternality. External pressure
will proliferate under unavoidable factors such as demographic and
socio-political changes that eventually even the change
procrastinators will find that aversion is no longer a means of
survival and they will be coerced into coalescing the change seekers. Ultimately, the scenario
as depicted by Michael Young in his famous work “The Rise of
Meritocracy” materializes. Social and political conflicts will
reach irreparable heights that a new order will replace the old
with much wounds to heal. The old Chinese saying has it that there
is "no everlasting dynasty".