A few days back, I was quite amazed by an opinion poll result published in the daily newspaper. It is not the verdict but the margin that stunned me. The question was –
“Is Indian democracy driven by politicians and not by its citizens?”
And the result was -
Yes – 93% No – 6% Can’t say – 1%
One has to admit that the result is completely one-sided. Even considering the fact that the number of participant was not indicated and these quick opinion polls are not absolutely reliable, the verdict is very clear.
I have read another article in the same newspaper on the behaviour of our ministers in the parliament. Since then, I have been thinking – what is wrong with our politicians. Based on my thought process and reasoning, I have almost zeroed on the factor “Power Distance”.
In simple terms, “Power Distance” is an index indicating the degree of acceptance of inequality of power between members in any society. It is measured by Hofstede’s Power Distance Index and a higher value indicates higher degree of inequality that is accepted by society. I would like to highlight one thing here – this in-euqality of power is accepted in the society, it is not forced upon.
In another words, this index indicates how distance increase between classes in the society with power and how well it is accepted in the society.
To understand it better, let us consider few countries’ Power Distance Indices (PDI) –
“Is Indian democracy driven by politicians and not by its citizens?”
And the result was -
Yes – 93% No – 6% Can’t say – 1%
One has to admit that the result is completely one-sided. Even considering the fact that the number of participant was not indicated and these quick opinion polls are not absolutely reliable, the verdict is very clear.
I have read another article in the same newspaper on the behaviour of our ministers in the parliament. Since then, I have been thinking – what is wrong with our politicians. Based on my thought process and reasoning, I have almost zeroed on the factor “Power Distance”.
In simple terms, “Power Distance” is an index indicating the degree of acceptance of inequality of power between members in any society. It is measured by Hofstede’s Power Distance Index and a higher value indicates higher degree of inequality that is accepted by society. I would like to highlight one thing here – this in-euqality of power is accepted in the society, it is not forced upon.
In another words, this index indicates how distance increase between classes in the society with power and how well it is accepted in the society.
To understand it better, let us consider few countries’ Power Distance Indices (PDI) –
#____Rank____ Country_______________ PDI
---------------------------------------------------------
1____ 1_______ Malaysia______________ 104
2____ 7_______ China, Iraq, UAE ________80
3 ____18______ India__________________77
4 ____45______ Pakistan_______________55
5 ____52______ USA___________________40
6 ____56______ UK, Germany ___________35
7 ____66______ Austria________________11
----------------------------------------------------------
Malaysia and Austria indicates the two extremes. The other countries listed are for a comparison. One can easily see the difference between highly and lowly ranked countries.
In a high Power Distance culture the following may be observed:
. Those in authority openly demonstrate their rank; responsibility and accountability never get counted
. Corruption frequent; scandals are covered up
. Subordinates are not given important work and expect clear guidance from above. They are expected to take the blame for things going wrong. The relationship between boss and subordinate is rarely close/informal. Politics is prone to totalitarianism
. Class divisions within society are accepted
. Parents teach children obedience – no question or argument is encouraged
. Teacher-centered education
. Income distribution very uneven
. Religions with a hierarchy of priests
India’s high position in the table indicates that we are comfortable with unequal distribution of power. And almost all the characteristics listed above are true for Indian society. Because of this acceptance, the society is eternally divided into two groups – Ruler and being Ruled. Therefore the only relationships that the Indians have existed comfortably in are of either superior or subordinate. There cannot be a third way, a relationship of equality.
This mindset explains many of the past and present phenomenons –
In General –
> We are never comfortable with power in our own hand. We do not know, how to manage authority. With power, our behaviour changes and we become rude. We are never good and courteous to sections less powerful to us. When have you last thanked the waiter in the hotel for serving you food or holding the door open for you?
In the past –
> As a nation, we have been ruled by foreign rulers for centuries. We were comfortable in most part of this era and hardly tried to free ourselves. I have a strong feeling that British freed India because nothing much was left to be siphoned. Without the non-cooperation movement (what we believe fetched us freedom), it could have been delayed by another decade or so. If interested, please refer to the poverty and literacy level of our country at the time of independence. I am not sure whether GDP was calculated in those days.
> We were so happy with the foreign rulers that we participated in their administration system and tortured our own countrymen who wanted freedom. Without whole-hearted supports from the natives, it was impossible for any foreign ruler to rule such a vast and diversified country.
> After becoming independent, our leaders were quick enough to distant themselves from the common people. That is the reason; the Governor’s residence is still called “Raj Bhavan”. Can someone tell me who is “Raja” in Democracy? Why elected ministers are residing in palatial houses and surrounded by innumerable ‘orderlies’? Why “Government work is God’s work” and why not “Nation’s work”? God never review progress, I suppose.
In more recent times -
> Our politicians come into power with Public votes. They are humble and friendly till they come to power. Once there, they become inaccessible. With maximum probability, your local minister is seen in your locality only once – when he came asking for support.
> How many of our political leaders are not rich? Does it mean that only rich people join politics? With the stipulated remuneration, it is a mystery how they become rich so fast! I am more qualified and draw more salary compared to most of them but still languishing in middle class.
> No action is taken against the corrupted ones – time and again they are charged with foul play and every time they come out clean.
> Common people have very limited or no say in policy and decision-making. The most recent one is the “Nuclear deal” which has almost toppled the government. Till the last moment the whole thing was kept away from the nation.
In this context, I remember a villager I met during one of my childhood excursions. He was saluting (offering “Namashkar”, to be exact) a helicopter that was flying meters above his head. I curiously asked him whom he is saluting to. He said that was the chief minister of the state. To the villager, he was almost equal to god as he “spends” money for the development of his village’s development. The most recent addition to the village’s infrastructure was a tube-well. Electricity was yet to come.
It is couple of decades since then – situation has hardly changed. In our country, politicians are treaded like kings. None of them is bound by the law, responsibility, and deliverables – arguably the best profession. No complaint from the mass that elects them to serve the nation – the Power Distance is in its deadliest form.
With a hierarchical society, tailor-made for Monarchy and Autocracy in the guise of democracy, we claim to be the largest democracy of the world! But the basic question remains unanswered - is this called democracy? The next logical question – is it going to change? The answer is, as per my judgment, ‘NO’ – nothing happens automatically under this sky and we are like this – demanding anything is considered to be ‘bad’ in our society.
Inputs from –
Business Daily from THE HINDU group of publications, Thursday, Jul 10, 2008
http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/power-distance-index/
http://www.via-web.de/282.html
Malaysia and Austria indicates the two extremes. The other countries listed are for a comparison. One can easily see the difference between highly and lowly ranked countries.
In a high Power Distance culture the following may be observed:
. Those in authority openly demonstrate their rank; responsibility and accountability never get counted
. Corruption frequent; scandals are covered up
. Subordinates are not given important work and expect clear guidance from above. They are expected to take the blame for things going wrong. The relationship between boss and subordinate is rarely close/informal. Politics is prone to totalitarianism
. Class divisions within society are accepted
. Parents teach children obedience – no question or argument is encouraged
. Teacher-centered education
. Income distribution very uneven
. Religions with a hierarchy of priests
India’s high position in the table indicates that we are comfortable with unequal distribution of power. And almost all the characteristics listed above are true for Indian society. Because of this acceptance, the society is eternally divided into two groups – Ruler and being Ruled. Therefore the only relationships that the Indians have existed comfortably in are of either superior or subordinate. There cannot be a third way, a relationship of equality.
This mindset explains many of the past and present phenomenons –
In General –
> We are never comfortable with power in our own hand. We do not know, how to manage authority. With power, our behaviour changes and we become rude. We are never good and courteous to sections less powerful to us. When have you last thanked the waiter in the hotel for serving you food or holding the door open for you?
In the past –
> As a nation, we have been ruled by foreign rulers for centuries. We were comfortable in most part of this era and hardly tried to free ourselves. I have a strong feeling that British freed India because nothing much was left to be siphoned. Without the non-cooperation movement (what we believe fetched us freedom), it could have been delayed by another decade or so. If interested, please refer to the poverty and literacy level of our country at the time of independence. I am not sure whether GDP was calculated in those days.
> We were so happy with the foreign rulers that we participated in their administration system and tortured our own countrymen who wanted freedom. Without whole-hearted supports from the natives, it was impossible for any foreign ruler to rule such a vast and diversified country.
> After becoming independent, our leaders were quick enough to distant themselves from the common people. That is the reason; the Governor’s residence is still called “Raj Bhavan”. Can someone tell me who is “Raja” in Democracy? Why elected ministers are residing in palatial houses and surrounded by innumerable ‘orderlies’? Why “Government work is God’s work” and why not “Nation’s work”? God never review progress, I suppose.
In more recent times -
> Our politicians come into power with Public votes. They are humble and friendly till they come to power. Once there, they become inaccessible. With maximum probability, your local minister is seen in your locality only once – when he came asking for support.
> How many of our political leaders are not rich? Does it mean that only rich people join politics? With the stipulated remuneration, it is a mystery how they become rich so fast! I am more qualified and draw more salary compared to most of them but still languishing in middle class.
> No action is taken against the corrupted ones – time and again they are charged with foul play and every time they come out clean.
> Common people have very limited or no say in policy and decision-making. The most recent one is the “Nuclear deal” which has almost toppled the government. Till the last moment the whole thing was kept away from the nation.
In this context, I remember a villager I met during one of my childhood excursions. He was saluting (offering “Namashkar”, to be exact) a helicopter that was flying meters above his head. I curiously asked him whom he is saluting to. He said that was the chief minister of the state. To the villager, he was almost equal to god as he “spends” money for the development of his village’s development. The most recent addition to the village’s infrastructure was a tube-well. Electricity was yet to come.
It is couple of decades since then – situation has hardly changed. In our country, politicians are treaded like kings. None of them is bound by the law, responsibility, and deliverables – arguably the best profession. No complaint from the mass that elects them to serve the nation – the Power Distance is in its deadliest form.
With a hierarchical society, tailor-made for Monarchy and Autocracy in the guise of democracy, we claim to be the largest democracy of the world! But the basic question remains unanswered - is this called democracy? The next logical question – is it going to change? The answer is, as per my judgment, ‘NO’ – nothing happens automatically under this sky and we are like this – demanding anything is considered to be ‘bad’ in our society.
Inputs from –
Business Daily from THE HINDU group of publications, Thursday, Jul 10, 2008
http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/power-distance-index/
http://www.via-web.de/282.html
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