Governing the Affairs of the People

Title:                Governing the Affairs of the People
Author:           Rogers, Steven
Year:                2014
Publisher:       Xulon Press
ISBN:               978-1628716771
Pages:             137


A guide for local government elected officials written by Steven Rogers; this little blue book is an interesting read, which unlike many books on political affairs, does not promote a specific political platform, philosophy, nor party affiliation. It is not about promotion of a political candidate who tries to tarnish the reputation of their opposition. Nor is it about how to get rich fast using politics as its vehicle, in lieu of finding employment elsewhere or getting off public assistance, as some politicians have done.

Governing the Affairs of the People starts out with a quote from a statesman - or woman - most admirable, namely Queen Elizabeth I of England (1533 - 1603) who said:

"To be a king and wear a crown is a thing more glorious to them that see it than it is pleasant to them that wear it."

A leader, not a career politician, Queen Elizabeth I is known for her unconventional ways for a woman of her time to lead a nation for forty-five years until her death, while challenging and defeating the Spanish King Philip II in the Spanish Armada. Some scholars have argued that the Queen ruled her Empire Machiavellian style, even claiming without solid proof that she used Nicholas Machiavelli's famous guidebook to state leadership, The Prince (written in 1513 and published in 1532, a year before the Queen was born), as her literary mentor.

Having studied and written about Her Majesty and the Spanish Armada, I am not  convinced that Elizabeth I (only) used The Prince to assist her in becoming one of history's most remarkable statesmen of all times. In fact, given her strong Protestant conviction and her consistent rejection of the power hungry, scrupulous, and murderous King Philip II of Spain, whose only objective was to gain territory and spread the Catholic Church in cooperation with the Pope, I am more convinced she found guidance in Biblical teachings.

Steven Rogers asks "As I travel the political landscape I ask, whom can I trust and form whom can i find guidance?" (pg 9).

This question alludes to what the reader is about to be introduced to, namely a account on how one distinguishes between a true leader and a career politician with the guiding light of God by his side always.

Steven Rogers recognizes that many officials "who begin to read this book will never finish it," as they will be too afraid to finish it (pp 17), but one is a fool if one does not read to the end.

Whether you consider yourself religious, regardless of religious affiliation, or not, Steven Rogers provides invaluable guidance in leadership aligning himself with his faith. There is an interesting harmonious balance between his advise to the political leaders and using examples from the Bible in which leaders of the past have learned their lessons and how we can learn from their mistakes in modern day leadership roles.

Alan Axelrod called Queen Elizabeth I a "CEO" of her beloved England, a Captain of her ship taking full responsibility for her crew - her crew being the great people of England. Likewise, Steven Rogers provides, through Biblical examples, advise on how we select good leaders, and how political leaders maneuver through the challenges they face on their road. He presents the temptations many political leaders are likely to fall prey to, while offering solutions to how best to meet these challenges the right way and maintain integrity, honor, and respect in a dirty world.

Governing the Affairs of the People is an easy read which deserves more attention than I fear it might have received. It is a guidebook describing a code of honor many politicians, as we all know, sadly do not possess, yet the public fail to see it while blindly and foolishly trusting  deceptive faces of evil ideologies who promote government freebies for all. Nothing is free. If someone tells you otherwise, be on alert for they are trying to deceive you.

I recommend Steven Roger's guidebook even for leader of none-political character, such as those in the private sector and education. Read it for its quality advise on how to be a better the leader of your organization or classroom.

Governing the Affairs of the People is available on Amazone here.


By Karina Schmitt
Publisher, Author, and Political Activist