A search from within than without
By Margaret Gangte
Director, Government of India
04 August 2011
What is the logic of terrorism? Terrorism is a puzzle to solve. A terrorist is seen as a devil of destruction. He is not visualized as human who suffered the agony of ill-treatment and had been in pain. His chosen path is repulsive, inhumane and creepy; therefore he must be hunted and blasted. Few acknowledged that terrorism springs from deep resentment towards prolonged unequal treatment that exploits. The exploited rebelled when his spirit is crushed; the exploited will then use arms and gain motivation from ideology to boost courage to fight back the treachery done to him. Terrorism and insurgency guided by ideology and deep resentment towards wrong doings cannot be contained by arm retaliation. The root cause of the resentment and unhappiness has to be diagnosed and healed through administrative policies or resolved through political decision. When neither of the two is provided, explosive situations occur like in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Middle East.
Is brute force the solution to counter terrorism? Eye for an eye; tooth for tooth is an ancient principle of justice under lawlessness. Modern legal and judicial system rationalizes reaction to an action and finds a solution to deter a repeat of violence giving core consideration to human value and life. Retaliation by brute force from state agencies in the so-called democratic nations is a reminder of policy and administrative failure that failed to care its people. The arrogance of the Indian armed forces under the special power vested in them to arrest arbitrarily any suspect under the draconian Indian Law of Armed Forces Special Power Act led to gruesome murder of young men and rape of young women in the name of security of the nation . The use of super power armed forces in conflict states, state coercion on individual freedom as in China, Burma or even Pakistan, subordinated individual rights and freedom to the mighty rule of the state. Victims and sympathizers often question as to who actually should deservedly be termed as terrorist when state agencies and terrorists are violent, destructive and revengeful. What is the solution to end this circus of violence? From public policy perspectives, use of force and coercion implies complete failure of the state machinery to fulfill needs of people. The unfortunate part is the non-admission of failure by the state that only end up in bitterness and hatred. It leads to bloody violence and the counter measures drained manpower, money and material resources leading to derailed development that in turn leads to more violence from poverty. This is another form of debt trap for conflict states in developing economy. State coercion is seen as an act of terrorism by civil society victimized under the brutal force and is considered by the Human Rights Groups as an illegitimate action legitimatized by the state. Brute force makes no sense in the end.
Is Democracy the solution to counter terrorism? Capitalist democracy emerged as the legitimate form of governance because it allows participation of everyone in decision making. It is regarded as governance for equity, fairness and justice. For protection of this precious democratic ideology, Afghanistan was used as a chessboard to counter the spread of communism with the help trained terrorists from the Middle East. The ill effects of this adventure put the globe under deep insecurity. So much blood has been shed to protect this precious ideology and in return it gave back nothing much. Instead the trusted democratic institution encouraged nepotism, corruption, favoritism under the rule of oligarchs and power brokers. It was not surprising that wise men of India like Mahatma Gandhi and Subhas Chandra Bose even dubbed it as a fascist instrument of exploitation under the garb of equal representation. The contradiction in democracy is an interesting dilemma. The principle: for the people, of the people and by the people is smashed by the reality. The virtue of equal representation through arithmetic representation is seriously flawed when decision is by the majority number. The system ensures the so-called minorities to be continuously marginalized and to be discriminated/harassed/victimized in the system. The system favors men with money or gun and promotes dynastic rule in place of meritocracy.
It is also significant to note that the democratic governance does not serve the wishes of the majority either. The Indian caste based politics with majority of lower caste and tribal vote bank still failed to represent the wishes and dreams of the underdogs in the face of money and power politics. The biggest states in India with highest density of population like Bihar and UP that was India's first historical kingdom (The Mauryan- Gupta Empire) which later produced the first Indian Prime Minister of Independent India and astute leaders of opposition, that constitutes majority of MPs to form the national government at the centre for decades and contributes around 70% bureaucrats of this country still remain in abject poverty.
Surely, the above two situations have not concluded the success of democracy. Democracy is a western thought of governance that grew from historical circumstances, indigenous to western condition. Democratic institutions have brought prosperity and expansion of glory to the west; it nonetheless seemed to dwindled governance where it is transplanted. It means that democratic institution thrives in suitable condition and can be adapted well only under similar suitable condition.
Is Democratic governance the worst under transplanted condition? The slogan for the people, of the people by the people in democracy seemed to trap the demagogues (people) in perpetual exploitation. I elect you; therefore, I am responsible for your misdeeds... Every time, accountability is sought, the people will be held responsible for electing that selfish rogue. The people are held responsible for making such a bad choice whereas in reality the votes were manipulated and purchased through the ringmasters/power brokers/gun holders. The elected leader owes his accountability only to these goons. It means that the elected leader will respond only when one of his supporters speaks on your behalf and for that his palm is to be greased. A refusal to be in the palm greasing team ensures an eternal forbidden status unless another godfather extends his helping hand. How is a common man to survive in this condition? It is not surprising that democracy has not improved condition, it rather worsened life as in the case of UP/ Bihar or Kashmir and, central part of India, northeast region of India and several parts of the world.
Democracy works in educated, well informed and responsible society. It works well under high standards of moral responsibility that ultimately mirrors the character of the nation. The renaissance and revolutions experienced in the west have moulded the society under framework of principles and ethics of administration. Transitional and developing countries have not experienced such intellectual or technological revolutions like the west. Third world countries are still grappling to understand and absorbed the concept, principle and value of democratic institution and the expectation to produce efficient and effective delivery at this stage of transition is a huge burden. In the absence of strong principles and ethical framework; democratic government in developing countries often becomes a dared devil under control of thugs and thieves producing malfunction and dysfunctional institutions. Recent example is Afghanistan and older version is India; the largest democracy that strangely thrives on family dynasties supported by self conceited feudal administrative machinery recruited on merit. India’s lopsided economic growth and the conflicts arising from this unequal growth evidenced the sharp inequality in its modern structure. Similarly, democratic institution in Pakistan acting subordinated to its military agency has reduced this rich Punjab land into abject poverty.
The lesson to note is that the tool of governance found in democratic institutions cannot serve its purpose if planted in uncongenial ground. Democracy may not be the best option but oligarchy and dictatorship are not a better option. It is better to make democratic governance works under ethical framework to realized full freedom and equality than to surrender the freedom under dictatorship. Make sure that dictatorship does not reemerge from democracy.
How can democracy become effective to counter conflicts? The failed democratic institutions often resorted to indoctrinating intellectualism with bitterness on the past history and overlooks inherent internal weaknesses. The principle of inequity and the spirit of disunity characterized India even before arrivals of the Mughals and Britishers. But it is made to appear that India was politically united, socially harmonious and secure before arrival of these rulers and it seemingly looked for reasons to hold its neighbor responsible for the conflicts within. It is a wonder how Pakistan or China can be held responsible for movement by backward caste and tribal as Maoists and Naxalites or Northeast India insurgencies? The premise of thought is, one’s own house must be in order lest relatives, friends and neighbors take advantage and meddle it. It is a lesson that taught us to look within deep inside.
When an ailing state is unwilling to acknowledge its weaknesses, it will point fingers outside to blame friends and foes. To conceal its weaknesses, it may resort to bashing up its own citizens to be obedient and discipline. The ailing state is refusing to believe the growing disease inside its system and continues to waste time in blaming others rather than taking a diagnostic treatment. In an interesting piece written by an Indian writer in New York times recently, the ailment in India is aptly described with disdainful truth; The “us” is the ordinary people of India, the “man on the street,” as they too-literally call him here — hard-working, diligent, scrupulous; the “them” are the bums in politics and the bureaucracy — lazy, deceitful, imperious scoundrels. If the “them” at the very top are unacceptably corrupt, it may be because the “us” taught them everything they know. In effect, every Indian is a defaulter in the system. This piece is a lesson for neighbors as well to look within than the without.
Corruption is a product of two exchanges engaged in cheating. It is unfair to say that only the bribe taker is at fault, the bribe giver is equally responsible. It is also incorrect to say that only position holders are defaulters, the bottom level persons are equally responsible in derailing the system. Corruption knows no bar or distinction, it occurs at all levels and everywhere. The current movement exposes the thieving and cheating character of a nation. The least expected from responsible leaders, public servants and citizen is to own up for the default and look within to find the internal weaknesses than explore the outside to justify the wrong action. Democratic governance is inclusive, equal, fair and just.
In the Indian context, real democracy would challenge inequality on which India’s social structure was founded centuries ago. Removal of the principle of inequality so deeply entrenched in the Indian traditional belief and social structure that still shapes the economy and polity of modern century India is the hardest challenge for India. Marriages between similar castes, dominance of upper caste in political leadership, administration, professions as also the widened gap between rich and poor are all products of traditional belief and structure despite its banned under the constitution. The principle of equity in democracy has not yet sunk into the Indian psyche despite the profess policy of inclusiveness, constitutional protection of minorities and thus discrimination, victimization, harassment and brutalization of still exist happily. In the Indian context, corruption is one of the symptoms amongst other vices and looking inside in this local context would mean, looking at the inequality that supports the entire framework of this nation. This is indeed a universal dilemma and is closely linked to the rise of terrorism.
Build the house on rocks and not on sand: The ability to look 'within' inside will 'help' and constant desire to look ‘without’ ‘will not help’. The current Indian mass movement against corruption is a step in the right direction, though unfortunately stalled by vested groups in power for transparent process of implementation. Nonetheless, it signifies a search for solution to the problem from within. The movement does not blame British colonialists who left India 64 years ago or Pakistanis or Chinese for the pervasive corruption in India. Seeking solution from within will reason out the various causes of corruption in local context, its impact on poverty and consequential effects such as inequality, exploitation, victimization, harassment and brutalization. Search from within will make everyone busy with no time available to interfere in others affairs. Healing the inside with favorable administrative policy decisions without corruption and coercion is the prescription to address social tension, political dilemma and economic crisis that has engulfed our planet in this blissful universal orbit. The aliens from outer space will not solve our problem; we earthlings are the solution to the problem. Minus unfair dealings and corruption, the puzzle will be solved.
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Acknowledgement: I thank the Afghanistan National Reconciliation forum for the platform that gave me the opportunity to enlarge this concept of my earlier published article. I thank Saba Hussain of London School of Economics for the additional information and Kingsley Sheteh Newuh of Birmingham University, U.K for the critical comments in my earlier forums with them.
About the author:
Ms. Margaret Gangte is actively engaged in various international forums on global issues and is currently a Director in the Ministry of Defense, Government of India. She is an author of Journal Articles and a writer on policy issues. Some of her published articles are Sustainable Community Development Alternative: Unlocking the Lock (Journal of Sustainable Development by Canada Center of Science), Right Man for the Right Job: Motivate to Deliver (Indian Journal of Dynamic Public Administration) and Farewell Gift to Afghanistan Before the Final Adieu (Public Administration Times, USA). Her articles on public policy are also published in ezinearticles.com and news journals in Northeast India.
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