Politics and its’ Effects on the Common Populace. – By Noor Rahim
Gone are the days when we enjoyed life as a close knit family in a “Village Atmosphere”. Just a Headman or a Chief chosen from and within our own Community for the purpose of coordinating, administering and keeping the cohesion of the Community in check and in harmony. But with the passage of time the Village Community spilled over into the adjoining villages and the incipient “Birth of Politics” reared its’ head – for better or worse as yet to be reckoned with. But, undoubtedly, a necessity in this modern era of National Administration & Co-ordination; and the inherent Global requirements and consequences that are seethed in Politics.
The merging of villages created the need for the selection of a suitable Headman or Chief to oversee the good governance of the combined Villages. As per the popular dictates of the times it was a case of the most popular, just and practical minded person that got to be the Head or Chief. There were instances when such powers were conjointly shared by selecting representatives from each of the merged villages; and in some instances each Village selected a head on a periodic basis, to run in each successive year. In the environment of a close knit Village Community it is a known fact that each one was known to one another and hence contributed to the selection of the best Candidate. Dedication to the Peoples was the principle that the Leadership and selection was based on. As time went by one could now see the creeping in of the concept of Political Governance appearing into this “Village Community” lifestyle.
Under the above situation everyone lived in harmony; were self contended; and in most cases self sufficient, until the question of further expansion and communication with the other village communities would see the light of the day. Hence crept the quest for Leadership in a wider jurisdiction. Soliciting for nomination became primary. Based on popularity and good track record it was; coupled perhaps with promises and even some strong arm tactics that may have been utilized – but hard to say. To curry support combined with the need for strength of majority rule in decision making saw the dawn of “Party Politics”.
In modern day Political Practices we are used to hearing door to door canvassing for votes; debates in Public Forums; and the introduction of dedicated “Political Party Politics and Policies” into the fray. To sum it all they would call it a “Campaign Trail” by dedicated Political Parties in view of any impending Elections. Every “Party Policy” is seethed in a wide ranging economic base to lure the Voters to garner their favour. But one must keep in mind that this is only a ploy in utilizing the Public Coffers in implementing these policies. If one may put it bluntly – It’s your own money that is being bandied around. Furthermore I may even be reminded that it is easier to spend someone else’s money in gay abandon; but one would be cautious in spending one’s own – isn’t it?
The Dedicated Party Politics has come to stay. It is not always that one sees a resident of their own locale being nominated by a Party. So your choice is not what it was in the days of yore. The days when you knew people of dedication and standing with such sterling qualities that you would like to see as your representative in the Legislature. It appears that the Political Bureau (Politburo) of a Party would be the one that will choose a Candidate for your locality, in most instances. Candidates keep popping up from “out of the blues”; and you would find that you have never heard or seen them before; until they come knocking at your door, or you see flyers in your post box and signs on people’s lawns; or the many scripted telephone calls and media messages to herald and extoll the virtue and qualifications of the Candidate. This of course may also include solicitation for Funds to keep the campaign on a sound financial footing. In my mind set “Politics is a highly paid profession”. Dedication seems to be a thing of the past; hence I think to myself – when I had to find a job I had to spend my own money to prepare for the interview and for transportation to get to my future employer; why then must I give my hard earned money for someone else to get a lucrative job?
I had the opportunity of confronting a Candidate at my doorstep a decade or so (years) ago. I posed the question – Are you domiciled in this Electorate? (As I had not heard of the person doing meaningful Community work in the area, or seen the person anywhere around in the area – except for the appearance at my doorstep to canvass for my vote). The response was “NO”; but I’ll definitely do so if elected. I do not know if this only meant that the person would have an office in the electorate, on being elected? Come to think of it I do not recall any elected Politician ever coming towards our area, with the same enthusiasm that they displayed in coming door to door canvassing, to find out how the Community was doing.
We also see and listen to ongoing debates between the Leaders of the Political Parties and their rhetoric always revolve around the economics of the country. To put it bluntly – How they propose to spend your money. In addition there are a few “brickbats” thrown in for good measure regarding misuse and waste; and of course scandals. Good entertainment I must say; but where is the “Blame” portion of the famous “Praise & Blame” principle that we were taught to accept during our student days. Is the ¨Blame¨ concept covered under the acronym “NATO” – No Action, Talk Only?
So dear Readers, see how drastically the scenario has changed from a peaceful Village Community to a fast-paced, bustling and “bursting at the seams” Society. Everything seems to be more impersonal than the cordial and cohesive Society of yore. A Modern Society in which the poor seems to be getting poorer and the rich richer. Such are the vagaries of life in which Politics has a very big hand.
But Politics is now ingrained into the fabric of our Society and is deemed a necessity and the accepted norm in the Global Community. So Dear Readers Politics can never be shaken off the pedestal in this Modern era. No matter which Party comes into power you got to “Grin & Bear”; until it is time for the next elections. As per the dictionary the definition of Politics only covers the area of governance; leadership; and competitions (for election to the Legislature) among individuals and parties. There is no mention of dedication to the Nation and the Country; in the definitions. Which is a pity; as it would have highlighted the real mandatory spirit of service and dedication that politics should or would deliver to the masses and the Motherland; and give the definition a full-fledged meaning.
In summary one can only equate the Political Scene as the winning party boarding the Campaign Bus; with its full complement of elected Members and being driven to reach the utopia of its promises to the masses. However if the bus has to climb a steep road or through obstacles; it would require more power and that would be more gas (not hot air – that’s for hot Air Balloons) required for the climb. The extra cost would undoubtedly have to be borne by the masses. But if it travels on a flat smooth road the Government will call it a balanced budget and there would be no additional taxes imposed on the populace. If the bus was to travel down an incline the bus would require little gas; and the Government would brag of a Surplus Budget. But unfortunately this would be only a bragging right for the incumbent Government for the next elections.
Dear Learned Readers; Politics is Universal and are based on the same principles – be it a Super Power; Developed Country; or Newly Developing Country. All we can do is to wake up in the morning, thank the Good Lord for seeing us through another Day and to give us the strength to go through another Day. In addition thank the Good Lord for the Air we breathe; as it is free of charge and has yet to be taxed.
Noor Rahim
August 22, 2015
