How party system ruins democracy

[seshadri sridharan]

இந்தியாவைப் பொறுத்தவரை தேர்தல் கட்சி அரசியலும் குடிநாயகமும் வேண்டப்படாதவை, கைவிடப்பட வேண்டியவை. ஏனெனில் இங்குள்ள மக்கள் பலரும் கொள்கையோ சிந்தனையோ இல்லாதவர்.  குடிநாயகம் என்றால் என்ன என்ற புரிதலும் தெளிவும் இல்லாதவர்கள்.  இவர்கள் மீது தேர்தல் அரசியல் திணிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. 

பிரபாத்து ரஞ்சன் சர்க்கார் சொல்கிறார்," புத்தர் காலத்து இலிச்சாவி நகர தேர்தலுக்கு சிலர் மட்டுமே தகுதி பெற்றிருந்தனர். அப்போது அனைவருக்கும் ஓட்டளிக்க / போட்டியிட உரிமை கிடையாது. மட்டான அளவு மக்களே அதில் பங்குபெற்றனர், அதனால் அது சிறந்து விளங்கியது". இதற்கு ஆன்மீகத்தில் தோய்ந்த இயம, நியமத்தை கடைபிடிப்பவரே  தகுதியானவர் என்கிறார் பிரபாத்து ரஞ்சன் சர்க்கார்.

தமிழ்நாட்டு அரசியல் இந்தியாவிலேயே மிகவும் மோசமான  தரம் கெட்ட அரசியல். அது ஆரிய திராவிட இனவாத, வெறுப்பு அரசியல் ஆகும். வயதை ஒரு தகுதியாக வைத்து அனைவருக்கும் வாக்குரிமை கொடுத்ததால் தமிழ்நாட்டவர் தமிழர் அல்லாத தொப்பி அணிந்த நடிகரை முதல்வர் பதவியில் அமர்த்தினர். அதில் எந்த பொருளாதார முன்னேற்றமும் நிகழ்ந்துவிடவில்லை. பின்பு மதுரையை சேர்ந்த தமிழர் அல்லாத இன்னொரு நடிகரை தூக்கி பிடித்தனர் அதே அடித்தட்டு மக்கள். இப்போது விசை என்ற இன்னொரு நடிகரை உயர்த்தி பிடிக்கின்றனர் அதே அடித்தட்டு மக்கள். ஏமாற்று அரசியலாரை விட ஏமாறும் அடித்தட்டு மக்கள் தான் குடிநாயகத்திற்கு பெரும் ஆபத்தானவர். சமத்துவம் என்ற பெயரில் இத்தனை அனர்த்தமும் இந்திய அரசியலில் அரங்கேறி வருகிறது.

சமத்துவம் என்று பேசுவோர் ஒருபோதும் ஒழுக்கத்தை முன் நிறுத்துவது இல்லை. ஒழுக்கத்தை பரப்புவதும்  இல்லை. ஆன்மீகம் தான் இன்று வரை ஒழுக்கத்திற்கு அடைக்கலமாக இருக்கின்றது. அதனால் இயம, நியமத்தை பின்பற்றும் தந்திர யோகம் பயில்வோர் தான் அரசியலுக்கு தகுதியானவர், பொதுமக்கள் அல்லர்.

How party system ruins democracy

In the current social milieu, the political landscape is dominated by political parties. Each country has a gamut of political parties. That is the backdrop in today's world arena. In Prout, our stand is entirely different. Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar guides us that the party system is faulty, divisive, and harmful. Throughout His Prout philosophy, Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar has exposed the defects of the party system and provided us with the answer for what should be done. 

Existence of any political / religious group or party is harmful

We should remember that in political parlance, the term 'party' is just a euphemism for 'groupism' where mighty party politicians rigidly cling to their narrow interests: caste, creed, colour, religion, race and racial superiority, etc - for their own political power.

Prout philosophy states, "The problem of how to remain in power is the most important issue of every political party that comes to power in an election." (1)

So political parties are not concerned with human interests nor the public good. That is not their primary aim, nor their secondary aim. Their entire raison-d'etre (reason for being) is just for exploiters to retain their power and tight-fisted grip over the electoral process. Shrii PR Sarkar condemns how in the party / group system, politicians ruthlessly push for (a) their own personal prestige and (b) the agenda and stature of the party/group - blatantly disregarding the welfare of the common citizens.

Prout philosophy states, "It is noticeable that politicians, to further their party [group] interests and to enhance their individual power and position, do not hesitate even to cause suffering to millions of people." (2)

From top to bottom, the political parties are characterised by extreme selfishness and the lust for power - completely devoid of any benevolent motive. All that said, political parties are not of the same quality either, some are significantly worse than others. 
Detrimental effects of party/group system

Here are a few more of the many reasons why Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar warns us about the inherent dangers & dealings of political parties.

(a) In the party oriented system, due to extreme political propaganda, the common people get befooled into voting 'the party / group line' - and not for the quality of the individual. In result, all sorts of unqualified people get voted into office.
(b) Party / group leaders do not stand on their own individual merit and abilities; instead, they rely on the political muscle and reputation of the party, thereby enabling undeserving candidates to come into the fore.
(c) As the world has witnessed, from democracies to socialist and communist regimes, all such political groupings have committed countless wrongs and inflicted untold injustices using the party / group system.

These are some of the many factors at play in the party / group system.
Party / group system devours honest candidates

In truth, throughout the society, many qualified individuals are interested in working for the well-being of the common folk, but in the party system such independent candidates never get the opportunity to contest elections. Instead, the party/group just bulls their own member(s) into the chair.

Prout philosophy states, "Rich and influential people can compel other candidates, by financial inducements or intimidation, to withdraw their nomination papers." (3)

In such a dark political climate, the party / group system shuts down any attempt by individuals to run for office. Those independent candidates cannot compete against the massive economico-political machinery of the top, ruling parties.

As shown, 'rule of the people' is the stated slogan of the top democracies. But upon closer look we see something else going on. Because in the present world order, each and every democracy is overrun by the existence of political parties - x party, y party, z party etc. So the common people - the citizens - never truly get the opportunity to elect an individual leader to represent them, but rather get stuck with a party/group puppet - a mere political tool of  xyz party etc.

Prout philosophy states, "In the name of forming a democratic government, different political and communal parties throw their hats into the election ring..[ultimately] parties are installed in power which go against the interests of the people." (4)

Thus the political parties just burst onto the scene and crush the hopes and aspirations of the general populace. With the existence of the party system, there is no relief in sight - not in any direction. Democracy is supposedly 'of the people, by the people, for the people'; but, in actuality it is 'of the party/group, by the party, for the party'. That is the hard reality of the day.

Vote for deserving candidates, not lamppost / group stooge

In response to all the political chaos and failures of the party / group system, Prout offers the ultimate solution. Prout's main platform is to create an environment where individual candidates, not parties, abound in the political scene. And the best person - the one carrying the banner of neo-humanism - should be supported.

Prout philosophy states, "People should cast their votes for deserving human beings - not for the lamppost [i.e. political tool] holding the party ticket." (5)

In such an open atmosphere not choked by the party / group system, the people are to elect a candidate based on their formidable credentials and worthy qualifications. Since the party system itself is the root cause of so much socio-political angst and manipulation, then, according to Prout, there should not be any party system. It should be summarily eradicated.
 
Verily, Prout does not support the existence of any political party / group. When there are no political parties, then the qualities and characteristics of the individual candidates become more visible. In that case, the educated voters will be able to discern who is who and what is what. That means candidates will have to stand on their own merit - unable to hide under the party umbrella.

In our Prout system, devoid of political parties and under the watchful eye of moralists and an increasingly educated public, more and more qualified candidates will get an opportunity in the political field. And the best one should be selected. Just as dinosaurs disappeared from this earth, same will be the fate of these outdated political parties. And in the new era of Prout, we will see the rise of qualified candidates-- i.e. sadvipras - to lead the people.

Conclusion

Prout philosophy states, "Today or tomorrow the entire world will accept PROUT as the only panacea for all of the world's mundane and supramundane ailments. There is no alternative." (6)

So party politics / factions / groups undermine the very fabric of society where unqualified people get the chair and overlook, or just give lip service to, the well-being of society. From the very start, to the middle, to the end, such parties are wholly committed to their narrow agenda inside AMPS and throughout the society-at-large. Under the banner of neo-humanism and Prout, our human society will be enabled to flourish. The day is fast approaching.

in Him,
Dharma
(David Matthews)

~ In-depth study ~

Whether near or far, it is blatantly evident how the party system just manipulates the field of politics and stands in the way of social progress. If we look at the politics in any country, this theory applies universally. In any democracy that features the party / group system, the naive and common people have no choice but to elect the party, not the person. Because in every local or national election the people have no practical choice but to vote either: x party or y party. One leader is propped up by each party, and, by hook or by crook, the party / group works to get that fellow into the office.
See-saw nature of political party system

Basically it is just a negative seesaw battle between one party and the other - the x party and the y party. Truly qualified people outside the party system cannot enter onto the stage. So the party just props up and masquerades their own unseemly candidate. In that way certain political animals come into the limelight as someone great, even though they are propped up by others, only to get yanked down when their underhanded dealings and blatant lies get exposed. Then, in reaction the public gets fed up but with nowhere else to turn they blindly resort to the other political party to bring some relief. In this manner, the ball bounces back and forth in the democratic framework of any country. And this type of case scenario is not limited to any region, but is the standard wherever party politics is in vogue.

Each party, whether x party, y party, or z party etc, looks to capitalise on the other's black spots, simultaneously keeping the political runway clear of any other candidates. This is the seesaw battle of party / group politics - around the globe the same or worse is happening in each and every party system. Never can a proper, independent candidate reach to the chair when the party system is dominating the scene.
Dogma: party affiliation tops individual ability

Prout philosophy guides us, "Party politics is one of the factors which stands, or tries to stand, in the way of human unity. In fact party politics is even more dangerous than disease-causing germs. In party politics all the refined attributes of the human mind, such as simplicity and the spirit of service, slowly but surely get totally destroyed. Party affiliation commands more respect than individual ability; service to self, not service to people, is the main motto; ministerial office, rather than human welfare, is considered superior; and mass deception, political somersaults, etc., are most common phenomena." (7)

Prout philosophy guides us, "Instead of rectifying themselves, politicians want to accomplish everything through their grandiloquence. By identifying the weaknesses in others and by resorting to bombastic language, they incite one section of people against another so that they can usurp the seat of power and cling to it. Human beings will have to remain vigilant against persons of this type." (8)

Prout philosophy guides us, "Politicians want to poke their noses into every aspect of life: social, religious, educational, literary, etc. Under the hypnotic spell of power, politicians remain oblivious of the fact that experience and wisdom in various spheres of life cannot be acquired by merely mouthing high-sounding slogans from public platforms." (9)

Nowadays, democracies invariably get bound up in the party / group system. On the surface, they claim to be something else but we should examine how far this is accurate or not. With their own chicanery, party leaders try to convince the electorate that democracy is run and guided by the people.

Prout philosophy states, "According to the definition in vogue today, democracy is defined as the government of the people, by the people and for the people." (10)

But, in truth, such democracies are not run by the people for the people, they are run by the party for the party.
Tricky issue

Prout philosophy says, “It is possible in a democratic government that the members or the elected representatives comprise more than fifty percent of the total number of candidates winning at the hustings while the total votes secured by their party may be less than fifty per cent. In such a condition the government is said to be of a majority party, but in reality it is the government of a particular minority party. As the government is formed by a particular party the opinion of another party or other parties is not respected in the legislature. Though all parties participate in passing legislation, bill are passed according to the wishes of the party that is in the majority. When acts are passed by a particular party, that party often derives benefit from the enacted law while the people at large do not derive much benefit from it at all.” (11)

How to fix democracy

Prout philosophy states, “Now let us discuss some reforms to democracy. Democracy cannot succeed in countries where people are illiterate, immoral, or backward. Countries like England, the USA and France are suitable for democracy, but even these countries need to introduce some reforms.

First, legislators in the states and at the centre should be elected on the recommendations of the people at large. At the time of electing representatives the people should pay heed to their education, moral standard and sacrifice for the society etc. If the representatives are elected keeping in view these factors, they will not be guided by party interests but by collective interests. In their minds the interests of the entire human race and society will dominate, and not any class interests. They will be able to enact laws keeping in mind the problems of all and sundry, thereby accelerating the speed of social reconstruction. Their impartial service will bring happiness to all.

The voting rights should be vested in educated persons who have political consciousness and awareness of people’s problems. Age should not be a bar to voting right. If illiterate people are given voting rights there is the possibility of antisocial and incompetent representatives being elected.

To provide a fearless and independent ambience to the administration, the secretariat should be kept free from pressures from the cabinet. The cabinet should confine itself to legislation, the passage and passing of the budget, the implementation of its plans and policies, defense etc. The power of ministers should remain confined to the parliament and they should not poke their nose into the workings of the secretariat. The chief secretary should not be under the president or the prime minister but should act independently as the executive head. All the secretaries should work under the chief secretary. Free from cabinet pressures, every department will serve the people well.

In the present system the judiciary functions under a cabinet minister, and pressure from the minister may impair its independent functioning. To remove this defect and to ensure impartial justice, the judiciary should have the right to function independently. In no case should the chief justice be treated as inferior to the president or the prime minister. Only moralists and honest persons should be installed on the hallowed seat of justice. If people fail to keep this issue under their close scrutiny, injustice will take the place of justice.

[[Finally, for the proper utilization of the nation’s revenue and to ensure that every paisa is spent on building up the nation, it is extremely important that the audit branch as well be independent. The auditor general should be independent of the president. Only the independence of the auditor general can ensure that this branch will be able to fearlessly check the accounts of every other branch. Thus it should be a separate administrative branch of government, and independent of the party holding a majority.

All the four branches mentioned above should be given the scope to function independently. Thus there will be four compartments. No compartment will function under another.]]

But in such a situation there is still the possibility of injustice and exploitation. So to supervise or monitor the function of all these compartments, the benevolent dictatorship of the board of Sadvipras is required so that spirituality will reign supreme.” (12)