This election season as we all scratch our heads about whom to vote for, it’s time to take a step back and think about how the whole political situation is shaping up in the first place.  An important issue here being that the participation of the youth and the middle class of this country in any political situation is abysmally low.  For a typical person belonging to the middle class or above, their cares and concerns are confined to earning their wages and managing their own affairs. Giving back to society is mostly done by occasionally giving money (and/or time) to charitable/non-profit organisations. We think that by showing up once every five years and pressing a button our responsibility to the nation is over. The rapid pace of progress that we’ve come to expect in the private sector cannot be replicated in the government unless we replicate the forces that drive that change. What we need are smart, educated and bold people at helm of affairs in the goverment (and all other public institutions) As long as the best and the brightest of the country keep making a choice to serve corporations (and consequently their bank balances), the only people getting into the political process/public offices will be precisely the ones who you’d never want running the show. Till we get greater participation and empathy for public institutions from the talented folk of our country, it’s just going to be a case of: Garbage In, Garbage Out.  In this context, the Aam Aadmi party is a breath of fresh air because it comes with a fresh perspective and it’s candidates are people who seek to change the system. It has a pretty detailed manifesto which outlines a large number of issues which they plan to tackle; most of which aren’t high-handed promises but issues which affect the common man directly. Contrasting this with the other main contender, the BJP promises of showers of roads and bridges raining from the sky; i’m a bit weary of the same because nowhere do i see talk about enabling growth by strengthening our institutions. Any growth brought about without strengthening institutions isn’t self-sustaining; and if isn’t self sustaining it’s pointless. Honorable mention to the Congress who fell really short on moving the needle of economic growth again. To round off this discussion, in a democracy where everyone has an equal right to exercise his franchise, it is implicitly assumed that every person will make an informed choice. Sadly we are but lightyears away from such a situation. It’s a generally observed pattern that as we move from poorer and rural areas to urban and more affluent areas, the voter turnout decreases.  The ultra rich who turn the gears of the country can be apathetic thanks to widespread corruption which enables them to get their work done one way or another The middle class is mostly cynical and isn’t participative beyond coffee-table discussions. Participation levels are nowhere close to where they should be. The poor who do not have access to as much information or resources as the above two classes get swayed by false promises and handouts. Time to end the rant with some thoughtful political humour by George Carlin.
Enjoy the video below: