The Dead Snake Theory: The Mirror Image for Power Quantums in Organisational Governance

This paper is an introduction to a new governance theory, herein referred to as, The Dead Snake Theory. The paper starts by providing the three major parts of the snake, assigning functional roles to each. This is followed by identifying power quantums at each level when the snake is optimally functioning and when the snake is not in good health or is dead. The paper does identify both exogenous and endogenous factors as contributory to the disproportionate levels of power during the dysfunctionality of the major parts of the snake. These brief anatomy and narrations on the functionality of the three major parts are then simulated to the three major parts of an organisation, the management, the technocrats, and the auxiliary/support staff. Power quantums at each level are then used as indicators to mirror the governance efficiency in the organisation and to reflect on the death or collapsing signs and symptoms of the same organisation. The paper takes the position that in a dying or dysfunctional organisation like in a dying or dead snake, the tail remains alive for a while as all power will have drifted from the head to the auxiliary staff.