Politics & Principles

“Principle is a dam built on the river called Politics. Whenever it will lose its ground, the flood will take away the shores.”

Politics. A word as ancient as the first civilization. But what does it really mean? It is one of the most misunderstood word in the history. A general perception among people is, “Politics is a way to gain the power.” Ironically, there is no such word as ‘ethically’ in the definition. Well, this definition might same true for current scenario of politics, yet it is far from truth. Politics, in reality, is not just about power and superiority. We are all politicians in a way. Neither anyone can be out of its reach not. One who says, ‘I am not active in politics’, is either a liar or an ignorant. Any who is part of an organisation or union, no matter how small it may be in the size, is active in politics. You may argue that you’ve never voted, nor have you ever discussed about any political organisation, yet the truth is your life keeps rotating around politics. Remember when you were under 18 and voted for the election of monitor in your class. Yes! That was politics. May be you argue that your field of work is nowhere near the political lines. But you must ignore the office politics, in which you actively participate on a daily basis.

‘Principle’, on other matter, is not something that everyone has. Actually, with changing attitude time, it has become a luxury now. It is part of ‘Ethics’. Be it ‘personal ethics’, ‘social ethics’ or ‘organisational ethics’. In a way, One’s principles are motivated from one’s morals. ‘Sense of Morality’ is a personal luxury. Everyone or almost everyone has their own set of morals. Morals and Principles are tied closely but one must not misunderstand them to be same. Morals are more concerned with ‘Good or Bad’, ‘Right or Wrong’ according to one’s personal beliefs. Principles remains ‘a way to achieve the right. Not a personal right but to a broader sense of society.’ Morals can only tell you that something is ‘Right or Wrong’, while Principles leads you to make ‘the wrong things right’.

From historical perspective, Politics and Principles have been really close. Chanakya, in his political marvel ‘Arthashastra’ has provided some principles which may lead to morally right politics. In this wonder, Chanakya declares King as ‘a servant of the people’. Greeks also had some similar thoughts. Aristotle too believed politics to be a principled way to meet people’s needs. Taking a leap forward in time, how was the politics in the last few decades in British India? Call it a ‘Political Crisis’ or a ‘Political Revolution’, as you may prefer, but you cannot deny the principles which made it remarkable. Was Mahatma Gandhi not a Politian? You may deny him being a politician by the glance of today’s political situation, but he was as much a politician as needed by the people at that time. And what backed his politics in the fight against colonialism were his unparalleled principles, especially ‘Truth’ and ‘Non-violence’.

After the independence, our leaders structured a constitution to guide our democratic country. More appropriately it was a ‘Book of Principle’ to follow by politicians and people alike. The constitution begins with the preamble and the preamble with the golden words, “We, the people of India…” making it clear that it does not guide vague upper level of politician, but to the core which actually makes India. Part IV of the constitution is ‘Directive Principles for the State Policy’. Though, not mandatory in nature, it shows the true indications of our constitution makers and freedom fighters’ ‘Dream India’ needs to be! Have we fulfilled their dream of India?

India, as a political unit, has a lot to answer for its current political situation. What changed? Unavailability of Principles did. At first, Politics on every level was driven by the principles. Unfortunately, now it is mostly driven by agendas. Politicians became power hungry. They will gain power even by unethical means. For example, rising number MPs and MLAs with criminal background. Irony is, one who does not have a simple set of principles is trusted to govern a constituency! Some people (mostly politicians) act as followers of some great Principles. But whenever they see a political opportunity their Principles become thin as air. More ironically, they still get elected! Few that are left with Principles are mostly victim of ‘Collective Responsibility’. It means one is equally responsible and must support the decisions of his/her political party. One who may go against party’s will are often disqualified from their post. Still, India still gifted with little amount of Principled Politics, which World as large has started losing.

The current situation in the world is facing political crisis. The leaders of World Powers have put aside Principles of their forefathers and have started paving way for their future monarchy. Recently, there is a talk about constitutional amendment in Russian Constitution, which may allow its current president, Vladmir Putin, to stay at presidential post for life time. The Chinese President, Xi Jinping, has already done it. World was almost on the edge of the Third World War in the recent conflict between Iran and USA, which was undoubtedly politically motivated. We, as citizens and voters, have failed too. Because we don’t vote on basic Principles of Community as a whole.  Rather we are attracted towards ‘Community separated’. How can we expect our politicians to be led by Principles, when we ourselves do not vote on the basis of Principles!

Bringing back Principles into the Politics must be a priority. If we fail, the current democratic world will soon take a leap backwards towards the time of colonialism. To stop that, we need to train ‘Future Politicians’ ethically’, by making it clear to them, that ‘Politics without Principles, is nothing else, but a disaster’.

“Only Principles can keep Poli-tics away from becoming Mono-tics!”