A game gone awry
A friend of mine is an avid computer-gamer. Well actually, I think he is kind of a fundamentalist since he views everything as a game - just a bunch of rules. According to him, religion, society and everything in between and around is just that - a game. Democracy too. A set of rules that define how the players engage with the system and how they interact with the other players. But honestly, I quite agree with my friend on that. I mean, yes may be at a much grander level and probably colossally complex too. But still, only a game.
Now, any game, to become a success, needs to have clear and well-defined rules. The rules must not only be respected but also be followed in letter and in spirit by the players of the game. The popularity and success of the game is contingent on how well its rules are framed and implemented. The fairer the game is to all its players with rewards for those who follow the rules and penalties for those who do not, the more its popularity or success. The players have the freedom to adopt their own gaming strategies within the framework of those defined rules and cannot indulge in foul play. Apparently, the Indian democracy can't seem to get something this fundamental. Actually, it would be naive to say that. Probably, they know but don't want to do anything about it. I don't know somehow we Indians have excelled in doing really complicated things but missed on fundamental things.
There is a complete disregard for the aspect that makes democracy work - rule of law. Without that it is just a whole lot of commotion. A commotion in which the player who has the greatest bullying skills or who can abuse the system the most, wins. Skillful players believing in fair play tend to stay away from such a game. Probably, they know that they just can't do it. Such disregard for fairness and disrespect for rules is not just a part of our administrative apparatus. It has permeated into every aspect of our society from capital markets to traffic, from government organizations to private individuals. Freedom is abused. Restraint as a virtue has vanished. Bias for action has been taken over by bias for talking (imagine a billion-plus populace doing that!).
An open society needs a common set of rules to be followed and respected by everyone. Otherwise, it is an illiberal democracy as Fareed Zakaria describes in his book The Future of Freedom. Sound like just another disgruntled citizen or something? Yeah, I know.
Now, any game, to become a success, needs to have clear and well-defined rules. The rules must not only be respected but also be followed in letter and in spirit by the players of the game. The popularity and success of the game is contingent on how well its rules are framed and implemented. The fairer the game is to all its players with rewards for those who follow the rules and penalties for those who do not, the more its popularity or success. The players have the freedom to adopt their own gaming strategies within the framework of those defined rules and cannot indulge in foul play. Apparently, the Indian democracy can't seem to get something this fundamental. Actually, it would be naive to say that. Probably, they know but don't want to do anything about it. I don't know somehow we Indians have excelled in doing really complicated things but missed on fundamental things.
There is a complete disregard for the aspect that makes democracy work - rule of law. Without that it is just a whole lot of commotion. A commotion in which the player who has the greatest bullying skills or who can abuse the system the most, wins. Skillful players believing in fair play tend to stay away from such a game. Probably, they know that they just can't do it. Such disregard for fairness and disrespect for rules is not just a part of our administrative apparatus. It has permeated into every aspect of our society from capital markets to traffic, from government organizations to private individuals. Freedom is abused. Restraint as a virtue has vanished. Bias for action has been taken over by bias for talking (imagine a billion-plus populace doing that!).
An open society needs a common set of rules to be followed and respected by everyone. Otherwise, it is an illiberal democracy as Fareed Zakaria describes in his book The Future of Freedom. Sound like just another disgruntled citizen or something? Yeah, I know.
posted by Deepak Mohapatra at 2:12 AM
2 Comments:
I came to US from Turkey and understand the illiberal democracy at its best! I read Zakaria's book and was nodding my head constantly. I believe in countries like Turkey, India, China, etc, the rules of the games change constantly according to who is in power and people who cannot play the games without defined rules (means too honest and cannot be corrupted) are considered to be stupid. They end up being the losers even before getting a chance to show their value to the society. These self-destructive attitudes of developing countries really saddens me because it ends up only hurting the public at large. The smart but frustrated people with integrity flood to the countries where these virtues are valued and their native countries remain caught in the vicious cycle of corruption.
Ayse from CdA ID
Very true, totally understand what you are saying. I lived and worked in the US myself but back in India now. The state of affairs here just saddens me to the highest point. But, my own helplessness even more. Think just have to take it easy:))
Post a Comment
<< Home