For
decades, political patronage in license-permit raj has been
an integral feature of our governance. So why this fuss
about a few dealerships? Politicians actually came forward
to disclose criminal records. And yet, why are they roundly
criticized? The government actually introduced in March
2002 a potentially far-reaching legislation for political
funding reform. But all that people care for is disclosure
of financial details of candidates, their spouses and dependants!
What makes people so belligerent, and politicians so defensive?
Two
factors contributed to this sudden resurgence of people
power. A decade of rapid economic growth ( by Indian standards),
and exposure to satellite television and modern communications
changed the world of educated, middle-class Indians beyond
recognition. While we continue to be a poor country, we
We now understand our potential as a nation, and are starting
to ask uncomfortable questions. Not too long ago, a few
sops from politicians, and a few crumbs from bureaucrats
were sufficient to shut us up. . But not today. Obsequious
obeisance to authority has been our tradition. But Today,
modern notions of accountability and popular sovereignty
have at last caught up with us. Therefore those in powerPoliticians
can no longer get away with a fraction of what their predecessors
managed. Understandably, there is consternation among politicians
today. Costs of elections and investments to survive in
power are greater than ever before; but decent returns are
more and more difficult, and the game is ever more risky.
This makes politicians behave like a trade union, like a
clan under seige.
The
nation is in a state of flux. Major changes are in the offing
in our polity and society. The nation is in a state of flux.
In order to make this transition smoother, and the outcome
positive, we need to answer two questions. First, what is
the role of constitutional authorities? Second, are politicians
the villains they are made out to be?
We
are blessed with strong and independent constitutional authorities
- the Election Commission, Supreme Court, Public Service
Commission, CAG etc. A mature democracy does not allow excessive
concentration of power in any agency. It is said that the
United States has the largest number of final decision makers
in a country. Power is dispersed horizontally and vertically,
and there are checks and balances everywhere. No one can
behave like a monarch. For a democracy , India probably
has the fewest decision makers. The DM of the district,
CM of the state and PM concentrate in their hands about
80 % of the real power in this country. 80% of the real
power in India is concentrated in the hands of the DM of
the district, CM of the state and the PM. However wise and
worthy these functionaries may be, this power has to be
dispersed, should be exercised transparently and made accountable.
Empowered local governments and independent constitutional
authorities are two means for such dispersal of power. This
does not mean unelected constitutional authorities can exercise
veto power over politicians. In a democracy, the ultimate
authority and responsibility should restrests with elected
politicians. But within reasonable limits, constitutional
functionaries should play their rightful role without being
maverick adventurists. Only with such institutional checks
can liberty be safeguarded. It is the failure of these checks
which led to the disastrous emergency.
Does
it mean thatNow, are all politicians are bad, and cannot
be trusted? Far from that. If healthy skepticism degenerates
into revulsion of politics, democracy is endangered. Politicians
sustain democracy and defend liberty with their sweat and
grime. They Politicians have an extraordinarily difficult
job to do in a complex society. They reconcile conflicting
interests, and make difficult choices in the face of unlimited
wants and limited resources. If healthy skepticism degenerates
into revulsion of politics, democracy is endangered. What
we need is more politics, not less; more democracy, not
less.Only robust politics ensures a semblance of harmony
and stability in our troubled society. What we need is more
politics, not less; more democracy, not less.
It
is easy to revile politics and shun political process. Only
when weWe need to understand the primacy of politics in
a democracy, and appreciate the compulsions under which
politicians work today can we become a part of the solution.
Unthinking invective, and hasty judgment make us, the midle
classes, a part of the problem. The cost of elections is
skyrocketing. The recent Saidapet assembly byelection in
Tamilnadu recently is reported to have cost over Rs. 10
crore! Byelections to Kanakapura Loksabha seat, in Karnataka,
Vuyyur, Medak and Siddhipet assembly seats in AP entailed
astronomical expenditures. Once such vast sums are spent,
it is futile to expect that power will not be abused for
private gain. Governments and parties are caught in a vicious
cycle. In order to sustain themselves, they governments
and parties have to pander to the whims of legislators elected
at exorbitant expense. Any major party which attempts to
break the unwritten rules has to pay the penalty. The cadre
and ideology-based left parties are the only significant
exception. But they too are facing problems of poaching
and defection in some states. Parties are torn between their
desire to please the public, and their need to appease their
legislators and cadres. No wonder, they attempt to run with
the hares, and hunt with the hounds at the same time. It
is easy for arm chair critics to sit in judgment of politicians.
Real reform is possible only when we understand the nature
of our electoral system, and approach the political process
with great respect and sympathy.
Then
how will change come? Unsustainability of status quo is
forcing change. The recent convulsions are partly a result
of this unsustainability. The license raj and kleptocracy
of the 70's are much harder to sustain today. And yet, politics
has become far more expensive, demanding evermore returns.
Meanwhile media are more aggressive, and communications
revolution brings the scandals and scams to our drawing
rooms instantly. All this presages fundamental change. If
we understand the nature of the problems, and focus on the
solutions, this transition will be less painful and more
orderly. We need to bring back glory to politics, not undermine
the political process further. A Musharaff will not provide
a solution; he will add to our problems. The greatest asset
we have is democracy. In our exasperation, if we look for
a knight on a white horse, we will have discarded our most
precious possession, our liberty. Equally, the politicians
must seize the opportunities for political reform, not resist
even the slightest improvements for fear of exposure and
loss of patronage., and behaveThey should stop behaving
like frightened animals in a cage.
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