A. Moamongla Aier
The ancient Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle considered Politics as a means to a higher philosophical end conceived in moral terms. Politics involved the whole of the society during that time and also a major part of human life. In the later part far reaching changes have altered man’s idea about politics. Machiavelli, the father of modern political philosophy consciously divorced politics from Ethics and stated – “Let the Prince, then look to the maintenance of the state: the means will be deemed honorable and receive general approbation. “Different political ideologies in the modern age from Liberalism to Marxism had stressed the importance of Ethics in politics, but in real life the Machiavellian principle still remains the ultimate truth. In Political arena, moral values, beliefs, ideologies and above all human conscience are found guillotined at the altar of narrow personal interests.
THE DICHOTOMY –
Indian Politics never suffered for want of honest politicians. During the last century, we had some brilliant men of principles – Dadabhai Naoriji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Pherozshah Mehta and other, whose integrity was beyond doubt, radically inclined to create a solid foundation of political consciousness in India. The more radical extremists who dominated the next phase of freedom movement struggle pushed forward their demands with boycott, processions and mass gatherings, but their approach never compromised on ethics.
Close on their heels, the Indian freedom movement saw the advent of a great man of great spiritual force – Mahatma Gandhi. To him truth was God and he advocated the theory of Ethical Politics – the bulwark being Truth and Non-violence. An apostle of truth, Gandhiji viewed Politics as a spiritual necessity to serve the nation. He never compromised with malice and unethical means and even.
Ironically, the partition of the country promoted narrow sectional interests creating political havoc and unrest. Religion was mixed with politics to gain extra mileage and the ‘Divide and rule’ policy of the British started reaping fruits. Even leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru had to surrender to the frenzy of communal passion. After Independence, the National and Regional politics adopted numerous unethical maneuvers to serve narrow interest where Honesty, Truth, Morality and Integrity gave way to the insidious interests of religion, caste, class, regional and other forces.
UNETHICAL PRACTICES- THE ORDER OF THE DAY
By the first two decades, when the euphoria of independence was over, the democratic set-up saw the advent of professionalism in politics, while moral politics receded to the background. Today, in India we find many politicians joining the political bandwagon with intimating criminal backgrounds, where ballot has become the blotting paper for soaking up power and money, using bullets to secure power, thereby escalating violence in Indian politics. Criminalization of politics has thus corroded ethics and values, degenerating politics into a dirty game. With the growth of civilization, the co-relation of wants and needs has increased the living standard and politicians no longer find it rational to live an austere life, thus resorting to unethical means. A political system completely free from corruption is an ‘UTOPIAN IDEAL’ and effort to balance ‘OPTIMUM CORRUPTION’ must be strived at.
Today’s, the electorates are quite conscious of the pervasive immorality in politics that many think it reasonable to keep away from exercising their franchise than to elect an unworthy representative. The low voter turn out in most of the elections do not reflect the verdict of the majority of the citizens. As a result the worst victim is Democracy, which depends upon popular representation. When people lose faith in the political system, the effect is nothing but ‘DISASTER.’ When the political system loses it’s base of truth, it invites Anarchy. When the nation loses the capacity of free expression, the political system becomes stagnant.
ETHICAL LEADERSHIP-THE NEED OF THE HOUR
Politicians are ultimately the representatives of the people. A good leader with an honourable character guided by his discretion to serve, based on ethical values with clear sense of direction will help bail out the unethical chaos that has engulfed our political system. DOUGHLAS MACARTHUR was one of the finest military leaders United States ever produced. John Gardner in his book-“On Leadership” described him as a brilliant strategist, a far sighted administrator and flamboyant to his fingertips. Macarthur’s discipline and principled leadership transcended the military. He was an effective general, Statesman, administrator and corporate leader. Margaret Thatcher said-“I am not a consensus Politician. I am a Conviction Politician.”
Nagaland, today is at a crossroad. A leader driven by the conviction to act, with the desirous ability to turn a dream or a vision of a desired future into a reality will help transcend the besieged morale of our society into an inspiring society, by uplifting the cardinal values of holism and continuity for change. Unbiased ethical leadership, denouncing individualistic approach for selfish personal and vested interests will certainly help us see a light at the end of the tunnel, by revamping the disparities[ economically, Socially, morally, spiritually and politically] that has deluged our Naga society at large. The trappings of pseudo- class elitism, where power and money shapes the destiny of our future generation will not transcend and uphold the grandeur and glory of truth, honesty, integrity and morality which our forefathers so eloquently patronized since time immemorial. An austere leadership with pro-active ability to inspire, motivate and serve with exemplary character of trust-worthiness and tolerant of ambiguity will help our state surge towards excellence. The future Naga generation looks for upright, honest and ethical leaders. Who will it be?
ROBERT BRADFORT, Governor of Massachusetts says-“To live long in politics you must posses the hide of a Rhinoceros: the memory of an Elephant: the persistence of a Beaver:the native friendliness of a Mongrel pub. You need the heart of a Lion and the stomach of an ostrich. And it helps you the humour and ubiquity of a crow. But all this combined are not enough unless it comes to the matter of Principles.” A Politician needs all these qualities of the various animals- some of humanity and divinity. In America, Principles has to be defended with all strengths of life and career, where as in our country Politicians can give holidays to our principles too.
Do we really need holidays for our Principles? Let’s introspect.
(The writer is Lecturer, Political Science in Dimapur Govt. College)
