Where is Democracy?
by Let “You” and “I” be “We”
Socratic vision of democracy was definitely not the one that is being brought into practice in America, India, and other so-called democratic countries. He said, “Rulers should be rich in virtue and wisdom, not silver and gold.”
Ironically, in the election campaigns in US and India, millions of dollars and rupees are squandered to buy the power. There is clear cut contest in present democratic system. There is rivalry between the aspirants who want to reach the parliament. There is the show of strength in the form of votes. By the people, for the people, of the people is just a slogan because never in the history of mankind there has been an incident where a democrat has willingly left his place for a better candidate.
The philosophical vision of democracy was: rulers are not willing to rule.
It clearly means that everything is handled by the people so efficiently and sincerely that rulers are not required. For us it is only a dream. It might be possible if Russell’s vision of goodness of human heart was understood by every individual on this earth.
A true believer of democracy will be no less than a true sage who is willing to make way for others, without being selfish. Exchange of thoughts will be free. I remember the poem by Rabindra Nath Tagore “Where the Mind is without Fear” and it consoles me to some extent that there is hope and not all is lost.
You and I can be we and this weness is the most democratic concept I believe. We as human beings must realize that our weness can create the magic which all the religious scriptures had been trying to convey to us through their story like episodes.
American vision of Democracy is really very much narrow because they talk only about freedom of speech, human rights, and so on. But my vision of democracy is much higher and divine and there is no place for the names of countries in my plan because “We” as humans will transcend all the set visions so far.
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