- It is fascinating and intriguing to note how effective are various forms of governments known to humanity. Though majority of the humankind prefers a democratic form of government offering fundamental rights to every single citizen guaranteeing to live in a dignified environment, there are other forms of governance severely restricting even basic living standards. Despotic regimes, authoritarian governments, and autocratic administrations are still in vogue despite modernity advancing manifolds highlighting the welcome evolvement of administering humankind in an acceptable manner. Preference and support for democracy is overwhelming, and rightly so.
PC: Johannes Karremans
- Now, anything and everything associated with a democratic form of government is neither a panacea for challenges encountered nor holds complete promise for citizens to lead their lives unencumbered by less than pleasant situations as undercurrents of discord, discontentment, differences of opinions, and criticism is considered necessary for a thriving democracy to sustain. Unlike democracies like the United States of America, or the United Kingdom which has two or three main political parties, the Indian democratic system is clustered with many political parties who are qualified as national parties and equally important regional parties as well.
- As our population density is only second to China, which again is a single-party authoritarian communist rule with severe restrictions placed on fundamental rights, there are any number of political parties wielding considerable heft in a federal setup carving out a niche in administering governance at regional levels. As conducting fair elections are the hallmark of democracy, the country is witness to one or the other form of balloting around the year. Having witnessed aspirations of the political class reaching feverish levels incommensurate with the people’s wishes, opportunistic activities to stay relevant on the political firmament is also on the rise.
PC: businesstoday
- We have all seen with amusement how leaders identified with a particular political ideology for years, and in some cases for generations, seamlessly switching sides sensing an opportunity to associate alongside the winning entity expected to assume governance in the ensuing elections. This is a phenomenon observed so commonly in all the mainstream political parties that it no longer surprises nor raises serious questions from the followers who tend to go along the flow. Most disturbingly, there is no stopping ambitious leaders to switch sides lock, stock, and barrel even after winning elections on a particular ideology despite anti-defection laws firmly in place.
- One such phenomenon is on display in West Bengal presently as slew of leaders representing the ruling dispensation is making a beeline to join the ideologically different, but promising political party at the helm of affairs in New Delhi, on a roll largely and expected to win the ensuing assembly elections. People in general are quite accustomed to witnessing such movements leaving none amused whatsoever by the turn of events. Trust me, this is not going to end anytime sooner either. Yes, democracy will be kicking and thriving for sure. However, political leaders will put chameleons to shame with the constant changing of parties.
