Long Live democracy (original) (raw)

Long Live Democracy Introduction Democracy is the best form of government we are aware of and benefitting from. It, presumably, has adequate space at least to air our opinions on matters and to seek, in the original spirit, judicial clarification and support. No doubt, progressive democracies are thriving. India is the world's largest democracy. M.K. Stalin, after the recently held assembly elections in Tamilnadu, declared that he would take on board the opposition members-a healthy sign of democracy. Amidst all the positive aspects of democracy, the apprehensions of Socrates and Plato still resonates some doubts, if democracy misses the purpose and spirit. Their anxiety was about 'state that distrusts ability, and reverences number more than knowledge' and 'chaos where there is no thought, and the crowd decides in haste and ignorance, to repent at leisure and in desolation'. The toughest question they raised was 'Is it not shameful that men should be ruled by orators'.1 Plato's worry was that "mob-rule is a rough sea for the ship of state to ride; every wind of oratory stirs up the waters and deflects the course…that at last the wiliest and most unscrupulous flatterer, calling himself the "protector of the people" rise to supreme power."2 These intensive opinions do not out rightly invalidate democracy. However, the concerns that number is revered rather than facts, crowd decides matters, the powerful orators take centre stage and declare that they are the protectors of people are some cautious warning for all the healthy democracies. When democracies fail to be inclusive, there is a possibility for these apprehensions to become the reality. Democracy has not failed us in spite of many exclusive voices. Nevertheless, these concerns can stain democracy and therefore need careful scrutiny. Sita Ram Goel's interpretation of past events and his proposals for a future India seem to be heavily inclined to fuel those fears. Therefore, his writings are analyzed here to estimate the possible impacts of his views.