Monday, January 31, 2011

Moral head weight of leaders

Most of the Indian politicians are corrupt. They dont also claim any moral head weight. Is it not contradictory to the leadership principle of drawing sources of power? If yes, why such leaders continue to be in power?

28 comments:

Anusha Chaitanya said...

Firstly, lack of choice. Secondly, due to criminalisation of politics. Candidates who are perceived to be powerful and 'capable' of winning (read, buy votes or have vote-banks) are voted to power by the majority of voters who won’t vote for perceived ‘weak’ candidates who will thus lose, even if genuine. Prisoner’s dilemma that others wouldn’t vote for the genuine but ‘weak’ candidate makes his/her losing a self-fulfilling prophecy. Criminals are ‘heroes’, they have a market demand to deliver justice due to an inefficient judiciary. In the recent Andhra Pradesh elections, Lok Satta, a genuine party, lost because of this.

Remya said...

Indian political system is a unique one in the world. Being such a big democracy with states as different as countries and the importance given to factors like regionalism and religion, we can say that our political system has grown to one big white elephant. Indian masses vote mostly based on these factors than on the merit of the candidate. Added to that, the influence of political parties which are successfully using the old divide and rule policy which the British has left in India. Its high time we wake up to these realities and start a new revolution.

Ashutosh Mohapatra said...

Muscle power and money power seems to be the order of the day. One who has both of these is bound to lead the herd in modern times especially in a country like India, whose political system is crippled, thanks to wide spread corruption. Inspite of not being deserving, the fear and influence which they drive in the minds of the people helps them acquire the seats of power with ease. The number of political leaders with criminal records and monetary power in the current scenario is a live example.

Manoj Kumar 31082 said...

Today’s politicians are not the leader of people. The entire politician came in the same category so people do not have any other option to go for. Leader like Mahatama Gandhi were the true leader and they were having power according to leadership principle of drawing sources of power. Today’s leader had the money and muscle which provide them power against leadership principle. Moreover the slow and faulty working of judiciary system gives them chances to play with the people faith and emotion.

Jyotsana said...

Might is Right. This proverb is very much true in Indian context. Motivated by self interest voters vote for powerful politicians, even if they are corrupt. Such corrupt politicians are often skilled at manipulating the followers so as to retain their support. In India, it is easy to get vote in the name of caste, region and religion and politicians use these tools usually. Criminalisation of politics is one of the main reasons behind it. The movie ‘Apharan’ by Prakash Jha has overtly shown this fact, where bahubalis have extreme hold over the democratic system.

Tejas said...

There was a cartoon which depicts a voter’s dilemma; he has to choose between two snakes, as to who will bite him after elections. The cartoon depicts the complete story. One of the major reasons is lack of choice. Another reason is the lack of incentive for the common individual to contest for the elections. No one wants to get involved where he is vulnerable to mishaps. The contemporary leaders too know how to please the part of population who really vote for them. Regionalism, caste based politics and lack of efficient judiciary system add to the problems.

Saurabh Sharma said...

It can be attributed to the vicious cycle of inefficiency which seems to have afflicted Indian politics beyond repair. While corruptions reigns supreme among the politicians which limits the choice for the voters as has been discussed. Another major factor is the nepotistic nature of politics which affects the entry of newer entrant into the existing power structure. It takes ages for individuals from non-political backgrounds to gain strong footing in political hierarchy which discourages people from venturing into politics resulting in a transformational lull. In such a scenario moral considerations no longer remain a factor.

Aniket said...

There are a multitude of reasons which complicate voting patterns. Most obvious is lack of choice, where, the voter might choose the lesser of the evils, if other candidates are worse. Politics being murky as it is, new candidates presumably can't get to the top in mainstream parties without getting some dirt on themselves, and independent candidates can't match up to the money power for campaigning during elections. Besides, caste issues still dominate voting, as do issues of religious and regional fundamentalism. Many a times, votes are for the political party and not the corrupt leader per se.

Vaibhav Gupta said...

Why will the politicians claim any moral head weight when even more than half of the population don’t even think it necessary to go and vote in the elections? And this is one of the main reasons why such kind of leaders continue to be in power due to lack of stiff opposition against them. Also the tendency of voting for people whom the voter perceives to be strong rather than competent has led Indian politics into such a situation. Also because of politics becoming more and more linked with corruption it is hard to find dedicated and competent politicians.

raj said...

In the modern times morality of a political leader is not a consideration during electoral times any more. Favouritism is one of the major causes behind it. People expect to eke out individual gains from their elected leaders. Thus it results in the elections which are based upon petty issues like castes, religions & community etc. The people ignore the corruption charges as their own expectations from the leaders are tainted & continue to elect such persons. Another factor is the high infiltration of criminal elements which make the common citizen to keep a distance.

Krati Vyas said...

Politics not even considered as a profession, is left as a basket of the illiterates and the people with no option than to join politics. The system is corrupt and inefficient , hampering the growth of the country . Individuals with criminal backgrounds and pending cases are contesting elections as no one else is interested in cleaning the mess they are living in .Poverty is also a factor that influences the individuals in politics . Even a person capable of handling the affairs cannot do so as he has to first support his family and then think of anything else.

Gyanendra Prakash said...

Yes, this fact is contradictory to the leadership principle of drawing source of power. But in this contemporary society these leaders are drawing power from wealth accumulated and the fact that the voters are not united. They (corrupt leaders) cheat voters by offering something at the time of voting individually and exploit them by misappropriate the funds meant for them after winning.

shaleen singhvi said...

The leaders have to be responsible for their deeds.Still, today the politicians are involved in corruption cases and also do not claim any moral weights.Inspite of the fact they remain in power beacause the indian voter still does not vote on the merit of a candidate.Voting is influenced by other factors like caste,money power, and muscle power.Until, the voter becomes smart and try to look beyond these issues, one can't rule out corrupt politicians.

anachra said...

Indian Political system is dominated by the powerful. The things that run this system are power of money, resources and criminalization. The democracy is only in name where the people have no choice than to elect such corrupt politicians as the honest individual never enters this game of dirty politics. The leadership never reaches the masses as the concentration of such leaders in on personal profit and acquisition of more sources of money and power. They continue to be in power as people are reluctant to raise their voices against them and the system has imbibed them too.

Sarath said...

A true leader draws power by working with the people and finding solution to their problems. These characteristics that they own which draw others to them and cause them to be influential in encouraging others to do certain things is absent in most of the politicians nowadays. Elections have become an exercise where groups of people choose individuals to loot the other group. Such elected people gains coercive power and claims to be leading by moral example. Absence of much better alternate options allows them to continue in power.

ruraldenizen said...

It appears contradictory to leadership principle of drawing power, but in recent times the meaning of politics is changed completely. In recent times many legal or illegal work can’t be completed without any political links. Hence high profile peoples back these politicians so that their work can be carried out smoothly without any restrictions. Also there seems to be no option left in hands of common man, as they also need various works to be done from government offices, so they also need to have certain political links, due to which they support these corrupt leaders.

Rajeev Tiwari said...

Indian politics is caste centric and a candidates caste and region plays an important role in acquring leadership position. Take the case of all the parties giving tickets to a particular caste candidate belonging to a majority caste in a particular region in recent Bihar election.
The leader continues to be in leadership position because of no choice available to voters. Many a times a criminal leader is perceived as hero who can promote their caste and thier interest by force. People think that their caste candidate can favour them in case of need.

mainaz said...

Gandhi Ji loved all and loved by all. He used to enjoy authority on his followers and this was his power. Today leaders has sanctioned authority which enable them to exercise power through a set of people(police, govt staff).they get this power by being capable of winning election (any how) and grabbing the powerful positions. Not people but paid people are actual source of their power

Sugandha Anwekar said...

It is not contradictory but is influenced by the principle of tactic which says do whatever you want but with a moral clothing.This is what politicians do now a days. Also they continue to be in power because how much ever we criticize them they are able to influence a large number of people.And those who understand their fault are not collectively doing anything to uproot them from the power structure

saurabh said...

Yes, it is contradictory to the leadership principle of drawing sources of power. Then also such leaders continue to remain in power because of lack of better options. In the present scenario as majority of the politicians are corrupt people vote for the least corrupt one. Corruption is so prominent in today’s politics that any new “clean” politician is seen as a threat by the established leaders and is down-sized.

Mahima said...

In the current scenario of Indian democracy there is a huge difference between a political and a leader. Now we hardly find any leaders in politics. They are simply politicians who enjoy power and there's no end to their hunger for money, status and position. Now the whole rat race is to become the big boss and morals and values are meaningless for them. Even though the politicians are corrupt and people know it well, still they are elected and given power by us. People perceive that change is not possible because they are afraid of the powerful.

Atheist said...

Leadership vacuum is the order of the day. Hence, in the country of blind leaders, the one-eyed leader is king. Indian politics is governed by religion, caste, nepotism, and language and the emphasis is on vote bank politics. Politicians pose as servants to be kings. Generally voters look at the immediate benefits such getting one time meal or some cash, then they go on to vote for the person who does provide these benefits. Indian voters have been sentimental too, e.g. consider the case of Congress winning elections after death of Rajiv Gandhi or after the death of YSR.

gole said...

Such leaders still exist to be in politics by virtue of their power. Once in power, they enrich themselves with money, muscle power and extremely good contacts, so as to help or rescue them in times of threat. Also, the alternate to such is leader is again a similar power hungry leader who does the same. This cycle does go on and people keep on living in ignorance.

vaibhav rai said...

Such leaders continue to be in power because the public doesn't critically question their intentions and actions and remains in awe of the power and at times family legacy of the leaders, the leaders are rich( stolen public money) and have muscle power and the commoners fail to unite and realize their strength...some commoners are indifferent and lack the will while some have the will but lack the resources to challenge the corrupt leaders…Lack of choice is another factor

Nick said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Abhijit P31058 said...

I believe we the people are responsible for the current political scenario. We the 'educated' don't caste their votes, oppressed sees his vote would not make any difference. And no doubt the politics has not remained a white collared job..criminalisation, regionalism, casteism has made a hell of it.
We tend to forget to question whom we elected and in absence of accounatability more corruption prevails.
However, we must feel responsible and not fall for 'incentives' rather learn from history and mistakes.

priyanka_bhagat said...

1) Deeply divided society where caste ,religion , language and region helps to get the votes and not moral uprightness and votes bring power!
2. As a society we have also come to accept corruption as part of the system with people trying to find a less corrupt leader rather than one who is impervious to this evil
3. Leadership which believes in delivering good and just governance without resorting to cheap and illegal practices is missing. Eventually I vote for the best of the worst , real choices are scarce.

ENVENOMED said...

Politician’s just vying for power in today’s context is a misnomer considering the fact that it is a gateway to Pandora’s box full of crisp green paper. The ones supporting the ladder and the ones on top are both eying their share of the pie and with the state of affairs in the law enforcement agencies it has become a cakewalk of sorts to do any kind of corrupt act they want and get over with it as if it was just another bad dream. A lacuna has set in the Indian political system with no breather in near sight.