See, I’m in no position to launch into an educated commentary on the election machinery or, for that matter, to make sweeping judgements about the very concept of democracy. So let’s just take a moment to discuss the spirit of adult franchise in rather broad, non-committal strokes.
Sure, the cast of a vote is a rather subjective affair shaped by personal experiences and opinions. But, what constitutes an effective vote? Is it a culmination of a rational assessment of what is in the greater good or is it merely a tool to serve certain parochial, sectional interests? Really, all further discussion on the issue hinges on the resolution of this critical question. Let us assume, for the purpose of carrying forward the present discussion, that the greater good should, at any rate, be the factor which determines which button you push come Election Day. But here’s the kicker: we have an evolutionary imperative to not care about the greater good when it is in conflict with personal/sectarian good. Of course there are exceptions, but when you talk about a mass phenomenon like elections, the exceptions, unfortunately, prove the rule. And which is why, by and large, we live in the reality of vote bank politics.
But, let’s for a brief moment divert our attention from the narrow, sectarian politics and look inwards. How equipped is the average Indian (without getting into the timeless argument of who constitutes the average Indian) to make decisions based on the intention of achieving the greater good? How many of us can, in all honesty, claim to have the broad based knowledge, perspective and public spirited outlook to make rational and unselfish decisions for the country? And, no, contrary to popular perception, education has little to do with it- as the Varun Gandhi’s of the world have proven irrevocably.
Now, as I have occasioned to state earlier, I am no political expert, so it is only fair that I question my initial assumption, ie, an effective vote is one which takes cognizance of the greater good. Maybe, “to each his own” is the way for democracy to go. Maybe, there is an inherent stability to the chaos associated with the pursuit of disparate and often conflicting interests in a diverse society like ours. Unfortunately, this argument, very much like political ideologies, gets diluted in the face of coalition politics. Because, in a political scenario riddled with pre-poll and post-poll alliances our votes do not necessarily buy us subscriptions to our favoured school of thought. So, we may find ourselves in a situation where the elected government may have certain hues of the government that we wanted and voted for ,but seen in totality , is a rather distinct entity with a gait of its own- a government that, curiously enough, none of us may have bargained for. In fact, our political landscape may be rigged to provide widespread disgruntlement in very much the same way a casino is calibrated such that the house always wins. Rather disturbing thought that.
One final observation- it never ceases to amaze me how our constitution continues to repose faith in the ability and maturity of the eighteen year olds of the nation to decide what’s best for the populace. A generation, which we apparently think will be driven to vote by a certain ridiculous “Rock the Vote” campaign. Whatever that means. Instead of voting to merely fill the numbers or reacting to “cool” videos urging them to do so, I’d prefer if they abstain from voting till they form some semblance of valid political argument for voting which goes beyond “Young politicians rock”. It’s endlessly annoying and disillusioning at the same time. But that’s a discussion best left for another time.
As for me, I’m beginning to wonder if it’s the quality of the votes and not the quantity that should count. And whether or not voting has the power to be as much of a political stand as voting. In defence of my decision not to vote I can only summon Leonard Cohen’s awe-inspiring lyrics from the song “Democracy”:
“I’m sentimental if you know what I mean
I love the country, but I can't stand the scene
And I’m neither Left or Right
I’m just staying home tonight
Getting lost in that hopeless little screen
But I’m stubborn as those garbage bags
That time cannot decay
I’m junk but I’m still holding up
This little wild bouquet
Democracy is coming…”
Mot juste, isn't it?
