It is true the free-market economy has lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty, but at the same time it has also, created greater awareness of the inequality between those at the top and those at the bottom. The resulting sense of economic insecurity, adding to the political disillusionment and insecurity arising from the continuous barrage of exposures of the misdoings of the very politicians, government and its institutions that we trust and look to, to manage our affairs for our common benefit – leads to distrust and inclination to respond violently both at the individual as well as at the group level. We therefore need to develop a proper understanding of such apparent inequality and to find ways to bring about necessary change and improvement – without violence. (See- ‘EQUALITY for ALL’ or are ‘ALL EQUAL?’).

It is now evident that modern societies are too complex to be managed by governments run by a few elected leaders and many bureaucrats that have lost touch with the very people whose welfare they claim to be working for, while actually only striving to maintain a status quo for themselves and the institutions they belong to. The people thus end up with a sense of disconnect, a feeling of impotence and frustration. They seek ways to have a say and be heard i.e.: have a sense of agency, in what affects them. Local solutions need to be found for local problems. (See – “Bureaucrats – Selection & Development”)

This calls for collective decision making and action resulting from being directly involved, being heard and participating meaningfully, especially at the levels that directly impact their lives. The greater the impact the greater such participation should be, i.e. 100 percent direct involvement opportunity at the Gramasabha or Municipal ward level and in the approval of candidate at the local Party constituency level. Giving them a say in the choice of the Party candidate, even if only out of those selected by the Party Bosses, or High Command or Politburo, is vastly preferable than to have such a candidate selected by the Party Bosses and thrust upon them. Both, the candidate so approved and the people, will then have a sense of connection and responsibility to each other, a far better situation than if the candidate feels responsible to only a small coterie of the Party Bosses.

The corollary is that such responsibility can only best be carried out if the commensurate decision-making authority and adequate financial resources are made available at each operative level, i.e. Gramasabha / Municipal ward, Zilla Parishad / Municipal Corporation, State Legislature and Parliament. This ensures that every citizen has a sense of agency, of being involved as directly as possible, in decisions affecting them and the execution thereof and will also, instil recognition of the value and importance of their vote and the need to exercise it with a sense of responsibility and without fear.

“Everything ‘top down’ freezes the structure and makes it vulnerable to stresses and shocks, while ‘bottom up’ thrives under the right amount of stress and disorder” – Nassim N. Taleb

He goes on to say that allowing for such decentralized decision making (down to State and Gramsabha/Municipal ward level) makes the system better able to try out various solutions to problems and better withstand and recover from any adverse effects of any uncertainty, disorder and the unknown. It makes the system gain from such an experience and become stronger and better – it makes the system more ‘Anti Fragile’.

Secret Ballot

This is a way of eliminating coercion and allowing for a free and frank determination. Hence, all voting, at General elections or to elect leaders of various elected bodies, or of Parties etc, must compulsorily be by way of a secret ballot. Attempts to negate secrecy by insisting on the showing of the ballot paper to someone or another before submission, should be denied.

Conclusion

Democracy is the best option for a way of Government. However, to be effective it must allow for change of Governments and Politicians at regular intervals through a peaceful and fair electoral process in which the people at the local level have a say in the selection of the candidate. (See- “Electoral Reforms & Election Funding”)

JAI BHARAT! – JAI HIND!

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