“The ignorance of one voter in democracy impairs the security of all.”— John F. Kennedy
With the State Assembly election just around the corner; another episode of the battle between the ‘sheeple’ and the ‘demagogues’ unfolds, the outcome of which does not require the knowledge of rocket-science to foresee. It is therefore, crucial to revisit the topic of political literacy.
What is political literacy?
//Political literacy (definition): is a set of abilities considered necessary for citizens to participate in a society’s government. It includes an understanding of how government works and of the important issues facing society, as well as the critical thinking skills to evaluate different points of view.//
Why political literacy?
Hitherto, it is evident, the reason for the transition of ‘democracy’ into ‘kleptocracy’ in Nagaland: is due to political illiteracy. For a democracy to work effectively, as desired; it needs not just an engaged citizenry but also a well informed citizenry. Thus, it is necessary that the seeds of political literacy be sown amongst the population of Nagaland; if we are at all serious about checking corruption and promoting transparency and accountability in our governance.
“The worst illiterate is political illiterate; he hears nothing, sees nothing and takes no part in political life. He doesn’t seem to know that the cost of living, the price of beans, of flour, of rent, of medicine, all depends on political decisions. He rather prides himself in his political ignorance, sticks out his chest and says he hate politics. He doesn’t know, the imbecile, that from his political non-participation comes the prostitutes, the abandoned child, the robbers, and worst of all, corrupt officials, the lackeys of exploitative multinational corporates.” — Bertolt Brecht.
Nagaland attained Statehood on 1st December, 1963, as 16th State of the Indian Union, through the 13th Constitutional Amendment. 54 years is more than enough—time span—to bring about full-fledged development in a State with an area of/at just 16,579 Km². Consider the amount of money that has been injected into our State by the central government over the last 5 decades (1963-2017). Nevertheless, Nagaland is still one of the least developed state in India. Since Nagaland’s attainment of its statehood, our politicians and leaders cahooting and conniving with the bureaucrats have embezzled from our state exchequer and looted its Citizens by siphoning funds meant for development and public schemes; taking due advantage of our political illiteracy, though they themselves (mostly) were politically illiterate but with the help of a few. Our literacy rate in the year 1961 stood at 17.90%, whereas, as of 2011 census, we have accomplished a striking rate at 79.55%. However, even with such immense increase in our literacy rate, corruption rather became more rampant and institutionalized; whilst transparency and accountability in governance, remains chimerical.
Hence, my assertion about the need for mass political literacy. Not everyone/anyone with a degree or be it doctorate in any field/subject can be politically literate. Though it is obvious, that literate/educated citizens can have leverage over the illiterate citizens—with or without malice. But, there is also the possibility that some illiterate citizens can be more politically literate than the literate/formally educated citizens. Nagaland, thus far, has been able to produce lakhs of graduates, post-graduates and thousands of doctorates in many fields. Yet, how many of them are politically literate? They may be a specialist/scholar in their own profession(s) or field(s), but how many of them are well aware/informed about: the government, state affairs, public affairs or electoral processes? I am referring to questions such as, what type of government apparatus do we have; how does our government function; how does our government machinery operate; who implements different policies and schemes; how are policies formulated and implemented; what policies needs to be implemented; why are representatives elected; what are the responsibilities of our elected representatives; what are our rights; what are our duties and responsibilities; how do elections work; why are elections held after every 5 years; how should one vote; why should one vote; for whom should one vote? Etc.
Whereas, on the issue of politics and religion, they are best left apart. These are two independent institution and they both operate differently. The moral values, principles and ethics that we talk about or which are prescribed by religious institution may not be the same nor applicable to political institution, and vice versa. For all I can say, we vote during an election as citizens of a country/state, and not because we are a Christian/Hindu/Muslim etc, nor is it a religious practice to test your/our commitment to God or to validate our moral values. In political institution it all boils down to political literacy. For it is only when a citizen—be it a politician or a voter—is politically literate that we will understand about the importance of our rights, duties and responsibilities as a voter/citizen; and anything about principles, ethics, duties and responsibilities as/of a politician/representative/citizen. Thus, it is imperative that the two institutions must confine their influences to their own respective jurisdiction and the idea of ‘Theocracy’ be set aside. The obdurate desperation of our religious institution—having lost their souls to materialism, deviating from spiritualism—for a litmus test on the political institution, basing on moral values, principles and ethics, manifest a new height of irony and hypocrisy.
Furthermore, many ill-informed citizen(s) tend to brag about one’s rights, oblivious to the fact that with rights come duties and responsibilities. For instance, a citizen has the right to vote and he/she can do whatever he/she wishes to do with it, as long as, he/she cast it using the best of his/her ability in accordance with informations available. However, when he/she sells or exchanges his/her vote for money or any other means of bribery, he/she is violating and denying others of their right to a free and fair election. Also, any citizen of India having fulfilled the required criteria(s), has the right to contest elections but that does not mean he/she has the right to indulge in electoral malpractices by using muscle or money or any other manipulative forms of power to buy, threaten or capture vote(s) or voter(s) etc, or to deny fellow candidates and the voters of their right to a free and fair election. The point being, one must understand that, like you and I, everyone else has that same right and when you misuse or abuse your right—to vote or to contest election etc, you are denying other fellow citizens of their rights.
With the advent of an election; floodgates of ignorant voters will be unleashed, ready to quench their thirst and hunger, having survived cruel drought for the last 5 years. This herd-like mentality of the mass majority of citizens, who are as gullible and vulnerable to rhetoric and propaganda and lacking apathy towards politics or political participation/engagement, is a clear syndrome indicating to political illiteracy. They are ignorant of any facts and ideology, emotionally driven and intellectually bankrupt. Wherefore, it is the duty of every educated, politically literate and responsible citizen to take the burden, as well as, pleasure in educating our fellow citizens through every means available. Such radical maneuver cannot be achieved overnight, but with proper analysis, pragmatic and feasible action plans and a comprehensive approach, I believe we can make a difference within a decade or two. But if we continue to shrug off our responsibilities and wait for someone else to take the first step or take the wheel, it’ll be like waiting for rain in the desert. Like Neil Armstrong said on his moon landing, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Our one step in this movement, will be a giant leap for our citizens.
Unless Nagaland is the new ‘land of philanthropists’, such practice of spending crores to get elected will remain an investment. Question is, are we still going to let this cycle of the voters looting the candidates during elections and thereafter, the candidate looting voters continue? As long as the voters are not educated/informed on issues and their long term effects on our governance through political language, voodoo measures will not culminate any merits or significance. They need to be empowered and equipped with all the necessary information, facts and knowledge/education, to be able to read issue(s) and situation(s) politically, so as to make/take well informed decision(s), choice(s) and opinion(s), without any external interference and only then, positive changes can be seen in our political system.
The megalomaniacs must be sharpening their serpent tongues. They’ll spare no one to try their luck to tickle desires. They will not hesitate to sing lullaby to you about the promised land—filled with hopes, opportunities and riches, but beware, you’ll wake up in an abandoned land robbed of your future. When they shovel another list of promises down your throat, ask for comprehensive explanations and just in case, remember this, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” — Randall Terry. They will burn midnight oil mastering their art of deception and manipulation. Demagoguery at its best will be at display in a few weeks time. And just as you get goose bumps hearing their speeches, you’ll get goose bumps on seeing the amount of money they amass post-election. Do not let emotions, greed and isms etc overshadow your ability to take/make a well informed, rational and deliberated decision.
