The Evolution of Democracy
Many thousands of years ago, when men wore no clothes and there was no way of outsourcing their primary occupation of hunting there were simple ways of resolving disputes.
Often times these involved some sort of violence, a club or two, and a defeated man sprawled on the ground.
Gradually man become more sophisticated. He started this system of government known as Democracy where he would elect the leaders who would be responsible for the various policies that determined man’s life.
There would be a Judiciary. There would be a court and judges to whom he would go for resolution of disputes.
A great man once said - Democracy is government by the people, for the people.
History would erode the last few words of that definition. Democracy became government by the people, but not necessarily for them. Man being the eternal optimistic, kept his faith. He kept on voting year after hopeless year, in the belief that he was the one determining the direction of his life by electing his government.
Governments kept changing, but the common man became an inside joke.
We will just tell him that we are devoted to working for his benefit, and the silly guy will vote us to power. We will spin a web of deception. We will split up the society on the basis of caste and religion, and they will vote for us. If nothing else works, we will give money to these hungry wretched people. We will do whatever it takes to gain power.
Now as it happened, the government controlled the central investigating agency, commonly known as the Comical Bureau of Intelligence (CBI). The leaders kept doing their thing, and nothing would ever happen to them. They tore up the nation. They killed countless people in their quest for power. They were not bothered about the law. Nobody could touch them. They always had the CBI to give them a clean chit. After all, they ran the damn organization.
The common man waited patiently.
He voted hopefully.
He kept waiting.
He kept voting.
Things kept getting worse.
Eventually his patience ran out.
The water breached the dam. The camel’s back was broken. The last nail was driven into the coffin.
Common man finally lost hope. He gave up on the government. He gave up on his belief in justice.
And the Common man threw a shoe in the face of the Politician.
A big, smelly, unhappy, impatient, disillusioned shoe.
I hope he believed that his actions got him justice.. :D
Believe me, no matter what you throw at our politicians, one can’t ever except any justice…Such Thick-Skinned Crocodiles these are..!!
On a lighter note, I find PC rather cure..!! His soft persona, gentle manner… Why him…!!!
@A great man once said - Democracy is government by the people, for the people.
Must be in marketing ;)
Dude, Common man rightly said is a joke and I understand that we all have been deceived all along. All the I don’t want to start rambling about the failed Indian political system and the bad influences of the colonial masters, in short we are screwed.
@rush.Me - When man loses his faith in the judicial systems that he created, what else will he do but resort to violence? He could not bear to watch criminals walk freely anymore…was left with no other option.
@Chirag - “We are screwed”. I am beginning to think so too.
We are screwed. We are so screwed!
Another thoughtful one, AD. Keep them coming.
Quirky Indian
Think about it, the Shoe went to the politician, but the smelly old socks was still with him that was stinking the place of the common man! I dont know where all this is going to lead to!
My history teacher always said, “democracy really means ‘buy’ the people, get ‘off’ the people and ‘for’get the people.” Sigh that it’s so relevant in our country today.
Nice intended puns….Your playing of words is getting better with each post!
When you used the work Hope so much, Obama’s picture kept coming to my mind. I am amazed how this guy has managed to build such an image in just couple of (may be just one) years. Now I am thinking abt what Jon Stewart said in an interview with Neelkani…”can’t India take Obama as President too”….Well may be its time we, Indians, got an Obama too. Amreekandesi wanna try…i will vote for u :)
ha ha ha.. another great read:)
yes we are screwed and royally too..
Could we get more screwed?yep!Everday the politicos show how !
:(
@rush me:-quite fond of PC eh? :D
Lovely… you had to sprinkle salt on my wounds didnt ya?? I am looking for an alternative but there seems to be none. Any “organ” of governance works well with single digit populations but not for anything above 10 ;)
@QI - Thanks!
@Dinesh - Good observation there. The common man must stop wearing socks to solve this problem.
@Shivya - Your history teacher sounds pretty smart!
@Amlistening - Aww…your praise keeps me going!
We do need someone young and dynamic like Obama. Old may be gold, but we have had our fill!
@mesingh - Thanks!
@Indyeah - yeah…that seems to be the sentiment!
@Mysoul - Thanks. Interesting observation there…we in India certainly stress test everything. In the US, New York is a good example of things degrading beyond a certain point.
LOL, largest screw up of a democracy :) we are.
Whenever I visit a place, I always think - Why can’t India be like this? Will we ever be like this?
The answer always comes out to be a NO!
Its scary but its the truth.
@Chirag - Over time, democracies seem to have become a mockery. Its all power to the people only in definition, not in spirit.
@Amit - India can be whatever its people (we) make it to be. Like they say, India still functions ‘inspite’ of the system, not ‘because’ of it. If the people start caring enough, India can go a long distance in the world, i believe. Hopefully, someday!