Government
An interesting definition of Government is
Government, with the authority to make laws, to adjudicate disputes, and to issue administrative decisions, and with a monopoly of authorized force where it fails to persuade, is an indispensable means, proximately, to the peace of communal life.
The naked truth is that we humans cannot live together peacefully unless there is a watch-dog, a facilitator, a protector and a leader, in short a Government.
Coalition Governments
In India, we have a democracy and a multi party system that is very noteworthy. In the earlier years, Congress was the single largest party in the country and has ruled for over 45 years out of the 60 years post independence. But, now the trend is towards coalition Governments. First it was the NDA of which BJP was the key player and now it is the UPA with the Congress as the key player. So, we are virtually left with a 2 party system though only superficially. We may see another key player in the form of the 3rd front in the near future and the Left making it difficult for the UPA to be synonymous with a single party, might be the key player there.
2 party system for India?
What would happen if instead of all these warring factions were to merge into a 2 party system like the US? We would have a ruling party and an opposition party, that’s it. Of course that should simplify a few things like passing important bills (like the N-deal), implementing reforms, etc. But, then we might see a Government that would attack Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam, South America, Cambodia, and God knows how many others at the whim of their leaders (and allegedly commit heinous crimes like killing its own people e.g. the allegation that 9/11 is an inside job).
Actually, what a multi party system does is introduce a large inertia in the system. Now, the system won't go in the right or the wrong direction quickly. This is definitely slower but safer. Why safe? Check this out:
Have you ever noticed that all the honchos of a party, talk in the same language. They agree on almost everything, even if one knows that it is not in the interest of the public.
Take the recent case of inflation for example. The inflation is rising, a little long term plans will definitely improve the condition and probably act as a buffer for future problems. But, with the elections being round the corner, it is imperative that some quick fix solution will be presented which won't last for more than a year or two. And surprisingly, all the big-wigs of the Congress will vouch for the solution. It is only because of the roadblocks presented by the Left and the NDA that they find it difficult to do it quickly. Of course this does not mean that the right solution will be implemented, odds are in the favor of a quick-fix solution under some garb so that the opposition will need great efforts to prove it wrong.
What is interesting is that suddenly all Congress politicians will support this. Why? Because it is necessary for maintaining the popularity of the party which in turn boils down to the popularity of the politicos themselves. This is plain common sense because there is little incentive for the politicos to call the bluff of their own party.
Now, this can get very tricky in a 2 party system. You will have people saying A and people saying B. No one will care about C,D,E,F,…,Z. And that is when you have Governments take crazy decisions like attacking other countries, bullying small ones but still progress well. Imagine such a system in the hand of Indians? It could translate to total devastation because more than half the Indians (probably you included) are not interested in politics and most of the others are taken for a ride by crafty politicians or they surrender themselves to the dirty politics for their own vested interests. The few handful that remain keep struggling only to find that in the Democracy, where the majority rule, they are the minority.
United we fall
For India, the multi-party system is best as it offers the inertia against development towards the bad and unfortunately towards the good also. If all parties come together, it will be the most orderly chaos you will ever see. In a democracy, you need a hoard of parties that represent each and every minority, each and every section of the society and then, the coalitions are formed that at least present a chance for the majority to rule. Hence, warning bells should ring if say the Congress becomes so big as to replace the Shiv Sena, the RJD, the Left, etc. Same is for any other party. And that’s why in our democracy, United we fall. But Divided, do we stand? If what we are today is called standing, or rather if not falling is equivalent to standing then YES! We do.
Offbeat
For our own good, it is advisable that we keep a watch on all the coalition parties. It is necessary that we all take interest in the Government, ask questions and vote for the best out of the lot. If you don't wish to be taken for a ride as a citizen of the country, you better not have your Eyes Wide Shut!
Ring a bell? Agree with me? Disagree with me? Leave a comment….
Author: Vj
